Should infant formulae contain docosahexaenoic acid as well as arachidonic acid? Statement by the Committee on Nutrition of the German Society for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ)

The new guidelines of the European Commission on infant and follow-on formulae stipulate that from February 2020 onwards all such products sold in the European Union must contain a high amount of 20-50mg/100kcal of the omega 3-fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, approximate to 0.5-1% of fatty acids), while there is no requirement to include arachidonic acid (ARA, omega 6-fatty acids). This novel compositional concept for infant formulae has raised controversy and concerns because there is no accountable evidence for its suitability and safety. In accordance with the European Academy of Paediatrics, the Committee on Nutrition of the German Society for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine recommends the use of infant and follow-on formulae that contain at least the same amount of ARA along with DHA, as long as no convincing data on the suitability and safety of alternative concepts are available based on adequately designed and powered clinical trials.