The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has acknowledged that Martek's Arachidonic Acid/Docosahexaenoic Acid-oil (AA/DHA-oil) blend is Generally Recognised As Safe (GRAS) when used in specified ratios in infant formula.

The exclusive supplier of AA for the US company Martek Biosciences Corporation, which markets the AA/DHA oil blend for infant formulas in the United States of America is DSM Food Specialties.

AA and DHA are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and important structural components of the human body, especially for the brain and the retina. Both fatty acids are of great importance for infants and unborn children as they have a beneficial influence on growth, the development of the central nervous system, the development of the retina, mental and cognitive development, the vascular system and the immune system. AA and DHA are to be found naturally in breast milk. Since 1995 in an increasing number of European countries, including the Netherlands, Great Brittain, Ireland and Spain, formulas for preterm and term infants enriched with AA and DHA are available.

"The positive decision of the FDA offers infant formula manufacturers the tremendous opportunity to bring their infant formulas for the US market even closer to breast milk," commented Dr Johan Kamphuis, Business Unit Director DSM Food Specialties, Nutritional Ingredients.

Recommended

Official international organizations recognize the importance of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids including AA and DHA in the diet of premature and term infants. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended that infant formulas should be supplemented with AA and DHA in quantities comparable to those in breast milk. This is in line with recent scientific studies and reviews in which is the enrichment of both preterm and term infant formula with AA and DHA is recommended.

DSM produces AA by a state-of-the-art fermentation process of the fungus Mortierella alpina.