Follow-up Formula Complementary Foods-IS 15757: 2007 is listed in the mandatory ISI Certification Scheme the products require testing in a recognised laboratory
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has renewed the recognition for Arbro under its Laboratory Recognition Scheme 2018 for the next three years, starting January 2020.
Follow-up Formula Complementary Foods-IS 15757: 2007 is listed in the mandatory ISI Certification Scheme and therefore, the product requires testing in a recognized laboratory. As a BIS recognized laboratory, Arbro testing Lab has the scope for testing Follow-up Formula Complementary Foods as per required parameters and testing your product will ensure it is in compliance with the Indian Standard.
Why Follow-up Formula – Complementary Foods required approval
Follow-up Formula – Complementary Foods is meant for infants and small children between the ages of six months to two years. You may be aware that no Follow-up Formula Complementary Foods is permitted to be imported/ exported or sold in the Indian market without the ISI mark. As per BIS requirements testing is
- required for approval of the formulation and quality of the product at least in the beginning of marketing or certification or both.
conducted periodically so as to supplement the routine tests or whenever there is a change in basic formula or method.
Testing in Follow-up Formula – Complementary Foods is undertaken to ensure it is free from any material which is harmful to human health and is safe for children to consume and ingest.
Some important testing specifications are as follows:
• Sensory testing for colour, flavour, taste, odour and appearance.
• Additive testing for starch and added colours and flavours as product must be free of these additives
• The product must also be analysed for scorched particles.
• Microbiological testing for E. coli, yeast and mould, bacterial count and coliform count as laid down in the Indian Standards
• Heavy Metal (lead, arsenic, tin and cadmium) testing, at least once a month
• Testing required for the absence of Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella and Shigella. BIS lays down that the requirements for Salmonella and Shigella shall be tested in an independent laboratory.
• Testing for the requirements of Vitamin E, Phosphorous, Iodine, Copper, Zinc, Manganese, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Selenium and Linoleate once in twelve months
Follow-up Formula – Complementary Foods requires nutrient testing for availability of nutrients for healthy growth and development of the child and as per Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Once a month testing is required for vitamin A and C, iron content, calcium and magnesium for added quantity. In case these nutrients are not available in the product as per standards, then product may not be ISI marked, till the deficiency is rectified and product reprocessed. Testing ensures that only permitted essential amino acids are added to the product.
Product testing also ensures that the following parameters are adhered to stringently
- Total Fat
- Protein content
- Linoleic acid
- Moisture content
- Total milk protein
- Total ash
- Acid insoluble ash
- Solubility
Why Testing Follow-up formula – Complementary Foods is Important
The WHO recommends that along with mother’s milk there must be some provision for nutritious and safe complementary between 6 months to 2 years. Testing complementary foods for nutrients is important so that the quantity of nutrients in the Follow-up formula -Complementary foods provide adequate nutrients which are required for proper growth and development of the infants and prevention of malnutrition.
Testing for micronutrients will ensure that the percentage of iron, zinc, vitamins, etc will adequately supply micronutrients that are required as children grow and develop rapidly at this stage of their life. The label claims of Follow-up Formula and Complementary Foods products with their actual nutrition value must match and this can be done by testing them so they are in compliance with nutrition specifications. Microbiological testing is equally important as during this phase children often get affected with stomach ailments like diarrhoea and any contamination in Complementary Foods could add to the problem of these types of illnesses.
As an ISO/IEC 17025 NABL accredited laboratory, authorized by FSSAI and recognised by BIS, Arbro testing lab is fully equipped for qualitative testing of Follow-up Formula, Complementary Foods. As a reputed brand if you would like to ensure that your product conforms to all parameters as prescribed in the Indian Standards, do contact us at +9111- 45754575 or +91 8588851888, email us at [email protected] or use the online contact form and we will get back to you with a proposal.
