2024-07-19 18:19:33
There is special infant formula for babies with an increased risk of allergies. But is it really necessary? Experts have re-evaluated the data.
Many parents are concerned about how to feed their baby properly – especially if it is not breastfed or not exclusively breastfed and there is a family history of allergies. For several years now, it has been recommended in Germany that affected babies be given so-called hydrolyzed initial/follow-on formula – or HA formula for short – instead of normal infant formula. However, this special form of milk has repeatedly been criticized because no real benefit has been shown to date. So should you continue to feed HA formula or does it have no effect at all?
Experts from the Gesund ins Leben network recently re-evaluated the existing studies – and updated their recommendations for action on “Nutrition and exercise for infants and breastfeeding women 2024”.
They came to the conclusion that the scientific data to recommend HA milk is indeed insufficient. The previous advice to use HA formula is therefore no longer valid. “There is currently no formula for infants for which there is sufficient evidence to reduce the risk of developing an allergy,” says a press release from the network. Parents whose infants have an increased risk of allergies can therefore choose the formula as they wish. There is currently no product with a confirmed allergy-preventing effect.
“HA” can be found on infant formula with partially hydrolyzed cow’s milk protein. “Partially hydrolyzed cow’s milk protein” means “partially broken down cow’s milk protein”.
The abbreviation used to stand for “hypo-allergenic” and was intended to indicate that these infant formulas can reduce the risk of developing allergies. However, current legal requirements require that an allergy-preventing effect of these formulas must be proven by clinical studies and confirmed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). There is currently no product with such confirmation (as of 07/2024). However, the familiar abbreviation “HA” is still used by manufacturers.
No, because HA formulas, like all infant formulas and follow-on formulas, must comply with the requirements of the EU Regulation (EU) 2016/127. They are therefore safe and continue to be suitable for feeding infants.
Infants are considered to be at risk of allergies if at least one parent or sibling has an allergy, usually an atopic disease. An atopic disease is an increased, exaggerated reaction of the immune system to normally harmless substances or stimuli from the environment. Examples of this are bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, neurodermatitis (atopic dermatitis) or a food allergy.
If parents have any questions or concerns about their baby’s nutrition, they should always consult their pediatrician or midwife.