Food Tree Consultancy
Follow us
  • Home
  • Our Services
    • Product Development, Labelling and Packaging
    • Food Quality, Hygiene and Safety
    • Food Manufacturing and Production
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Why Us
    • Join us
  • Contact Us
  • Blog

Blog

Latest news and information.

Home

Goats' milk formula not a solution for cows' milk allergic infants

27/3/2014

0 Comments

 
Goats' milk infant and follow-on formula is now permitted for sale in the UK, following changes to the regulations in February. However, the FSA is warning that it is unlikely to be suitable for infants with a cows' milk protein allergy.


The change to the regulation is the result of an opinion published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). It found that protein from goats' milk can be suitable as a protein source for infant and follow-on formula, as long as the final product complies with the relevant criteria on the composition, labelling and advertising of such products (see Directive 2006/141/EC via the 'External sites' link on this page).


Proceed with caution


EFSA has warned that goats’ milk formula may not be suitable for infants with an allergy to cow’ milk proteins. The proteins in cows’ and goats’ milk are so similar that a baby allergic to one would almost certainly be allergic to the other.

‘Many parents may be keen to feed their babies formula based on goats’ milk as an alternative if their child is allergic to cow’s milk. However, there is a high risk of cross reactivity between cows’ and goats’ milk proteins,’ explains Sue Hattersley, head of food allergy at the FSA. ‘As a result, it’s important that parents understand that goats’ milk formula is not suitable for infants with a cows’ milk protein allergy, unless directed by a healthcare professional,’ she adds.

Given this risk, manufacturers will not be permitted to market goats’ milk-based formula milks as suitable for children with cows’ milk allergies.

Science behind the story
Cows’ milk protein allergy is the most frequent food allergy in the first years of life. The World Allergy Organization estimates that 1.9% to 4.9% of children suffer from a cows’ milk protein allergy.

Milk from other mammalian species has been suggested as a possible nutritional alternative to cows’ milk for these infants. However, clinical studies have shown a high risk of cross-reactivity between the proteins in cows’ milk and in other mammalian milk, including goats’ milk. In addition, there have been cases where infants with a cows’ milk allergy have developed anaphylaxis after the ingestion of goat's milk. Severe anaphylaxis episodes can be fatal.

Given the high risk of cross reactivity between cows’ and goats’ milk proteins, the Government advises that goats’ milk infant and follow-on formula are not suitable for infants with a cows’ milk protein allergy, unless directed by a healthcare professional.


0 Comments

    Author

    It is time to give everybody a chance to understand what we are consuming every single day.

    Categories

    All
    Allergens
    Food Policy

    Archives

    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013

    RSS Feed