VKM, on behalf of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, shall assess whether infant formula containing a strain of a specific species of Bifidobacterium may pose a health risk. The assessment shall include any risk of using infant formula as a complete diet, and as a supplemental diet for infants (children under 12 months).

VKM must also assess two specific formulas for infants that contain the same type of bacteria. The products are intended for infants that are allergic to cow milk. The products are classified as foodstuffs for special medical purposes.

Background

VKM has previously published assessments of benefit and risk of probiotics in products for infants and toddlers. Recently, a manufacturer has applied to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority to receive authorisation for marketing two products in Norway. The products contain a specific probiotic bacterium that has not been assessed previously by VKM.

Project group

The project group consists of:

Gry Granli Schultz Opens in new window. –Panel on Nutrition, Dietetic products, Novel Food and Allergy (Member and Chair of project group)

Tor A. Strand Opens in new window. –Panel on Nutrition, Dietetic products, Novel Food and Allergy (member)

Pål Trosvik Opens in new window. –Panel of Microbial Ecology (Member)

Christine Louise Parr Opens in new window. – VKM Secretariat

Siamak Yazdankhah Opens in new window. – VKM Secretariat (Project Manager)

The risk assessment will be approved by VKM's Panel on Nutrition, Dietetic products, Novel Food and Allergy, with supplementation. It is scheduled to be published during spring 2024.

Product information in the commission text is exempt from public disclosure and is therefore redacted.