【FSMP】Nutritionally Complete Food for Ages 1-10: Formula Research and Design Recommendations (Part 2)

In our previous article (nutritionally complete food for ages 1-10 formula research and design recommendations Part 1), CIRS Group delves into the energy density, energy supply ratio of three macronutrients, and the impact of the raw materials sources on formula research. In this article, we further analyzed the vitamins, minerals, optional components and other nutritional components in 9 approved nutritionally complete foods for children aged 1-10.

Vitamin

Vitamins are a group of essential low molecular weight organic compounds that play a critical role in sustaining the normal physiological functions of the human body. Unlike other nutrients, they cannot be produced in sufficient quantities or at all, necessitating regular intake through dietary sources. Vitamins are broadly divided into two categories: fat-soluble and water-soluble. Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamin A, D, E, and K; the latter include vitamin C and the B-complex vitamins, which consist of vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, nicotinic acid, folic acid, D-PANTOTHENIC ACID, and D-Biotin, among others.

By comparing the vitamin content per 100 kJ indicated on the nutrition facts with the levels specified in the national standard, it can be found that, except for folic acid, the labeled content generally falls slightly above the standard lower limit to the middle range of the specified values, as shown in Table 1.

Except for vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and folic acid, the labeled values of vitamins are generally between 100%-300% of the lower limit specified in GB 29922, that is, 1-3 times the fortification levels. For the 9 approved products, the labeled values of vitamin B1, and B2 are between 200% to 520% of the lower limit, and that of folic acid are between 376% to 730%.

Table 1 Statistical results of vitamin label values

Minerals

Minerals are classified into two major groups:

• Macroelements, and
• Trace elements.

Macroelements are those with concentrations greater than 0.01% of body weight, including calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, chlorine, magnesium, and sulfur, which collectively constitute about 4% to 5% of body weight. Trace elements are those with concentrations less than 0.01% of body weight, such as iron, zinc, iodine, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, and fluorine.

By comparing the minerals content per 100 kJ indicated on the nutrition facts with the standard quantity, it was found that, except for manganese, the labeled values are mostly within the range slightly above the standard lower limit to the middle-value range, as shown in Table 2.

Except for sodium, magnesium, and manganese, the label values of minerals are mostly between 100% and 200% of the lower limit specified in GB 29922, indicating a fortification level of 1 to 2 times. Among the 9 approved products, the sodium label values are between 180% to 300% of the standard lower limit, and that of magnesium and manganese are between 186% to 321% and 2567% to 6633%, respectively.

Table 2 Statistical results of minerals label values

Optional components

While optional components are not essential nutrients for the human body, they are beneficial for the growth and development of infants and children, providing certain advantages to the body. GB 29922 specifies that one or more optional components can be added to nutritionally complete foods.

From Table 3, it is evident that among the 11 optional nutritional components specified in GB 29922, 9 have been added to registered products, including chromium, molybdenum, choline hydroxide, inositol, taurine, L-carnitine, DHA, ARA, and dietary fiber, while the remaining two, fluoride and L-DIHYDROOROTIC ACID have not yet been added. Moreover, all nutritionally complete foods for the age group of 1 to 10 years have included taurine; choline hydroxide, L-carnitine, and DHA are also frequently added. It can be seen from those components already added, especially those adopted by domestic products, that the domestic market has established a compliant raw material supply chain and mature testing technologies, providing feasible directions for subsequent researchers. Conversely, components that have not been widely added may face challenges such as compliance of raw material sources, inadequately mature domestic testing methods, or complexity in production processes, therefore requiring extra caution while selecting.

Table 3 Statistical results of optional components label values

The above is our analysis of the formula research and design analysis of nutritionally complete foods for people aged 1 to 10.  If you need any assistance or have any questions, please get in touch with us via service@cirs-group.com.