Evaluation of Nutrient Claims and Potential Health Risks of Follow-up Formulas Based on Label Declarations

Infant formulas and follow-up milks play a critical role in supporting growth and development during early childhood; however, excessive fortification or inaccurate labeling can lead to nutrient imbalances and safety concerns. This study evaluated the nutritional composition of sixteen commercially available products in Türkiye, including nine follow-up formulas and seven infant formulas, based on manufacturer-declared label information. All nutrient values were standardized to a 200 mL serving and compared with age-specific Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), Adequate Intake (AI), and Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) values established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM). Descriptive analyses and box plot visualizations were used to assess inter-product variability, with a focus on zinc, copper, and vitamin K due to their potential toxicity risks. Overall, most products contained nutrient levels well below UL thresholds, indicating a broad safety margin. However, notable variability was observed: zinc levels reached up to 91.7% of the infant RDA per 200 mL, suggesting that multiple servings could approach UL limits; one product reported copper levels equivalent to 636% of the infant RDA, likely representing a labeling error or formulation inconsistency; and vitamin K values exceeded 500% of AI in several brands, though no UL has been defined. These findings highlight inconsistencies in fortification strategies, nutrient content claims, and labeling accuracy, emphasizing the importance of regulatory harmonization, routine laboratory verification, and transparent reporting to ensure product safety and consumer trust.