Abstract
Neonatal and infancy period is characterized by significant growth and development. From a nutritional point of view, this translates into specific requirements, notably in long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) such as docosahexaenoic acid. To ensure an adequate nutritional intake different types of products, such as infant formulas and flours are designed. The aim of the present work is to assess the adequacy of these products with the infants aged from 6 to 12 months’ requirements and with recent changes in European regulations. To reach this objective, a meta-analysis of the nutritional values of 91 follow-on formulas and 68 infant flours from northern et southern hemispheres was carried out with special focus on lipid profiles. For follow-on formulas, a significant homogeneity of macro- and micronutrient contents is observed from one product to another, and a good similarity of macronutrients contents with mature breast milk despite the persistence of differences in the lipids organisation and FA profiles. In the case of infant flours, the regulatory framework being less strict, an important heterogeneity of nutritional values is observed with, in particular, a significant difference in energy density among flours marketed in northern and southern countries. This analysis is part of a larger study which aims to understand the mechanisms of lipid oxidation in LC-PUFA-enriched infant foods.