DSM urges mandatory requirement for omega 6 ARA in infant formula

10 Mar 2022 --- DSM is highlighting the benefits of adding arachidonic acid (ARA) to infant formula. ARA is an omega 6 that is naturally balanced with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in human milk. DHA has been mandatory in infant nutrition since 2020 in the EU, whereas ARA has remained optional. 

“Human milk is the gold standard of infant nutrition and it always contains both ARA and DHA,” Kristen Finn, lead scientist early life nutrition at DSM, tells NutritionInsight. 

“We strongly recommend that infant nutrition formulators follow existing scientific knowledge and base their products on human milk composition.” 

Experts warn that the absence of the omega 6 fatty acid could negatively affect the growth and development of newborns, particularly those with specific genetic variations. 

José Manuel Moreno Villares, co-author on a recent study examining the role of ARA and DHA in infants, flags: “There is a significant gap between our scientific knowledge and the reasoning behind [the EU’s] regulations.”

“We are aware of the safety and positive effects of adding ARA and DHA to infant nutrition solutions, especially for visual and cognitive development. However, there is currently no data available related to the use of DHA without ARA.”

While DHA and ARA have been extensively studied together, little is known about DHA in infant formula alone.Europe follows EFSA’s cues 
The EU’s current infant formula regulation is rooted in an opinion put forth by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in 2014. The agency concluded that DHA but not ARA should be a mandatory nutrient in formulas for infants.

This is despite EFSA’s opinion that exclusively formula-fed infants would not meet adequate intake levels for both DHA and ARA without their addition in formula.

“EFSA acknowledged that formula containing DHA, but no ARA led to a reduced ARA status [in babies], but stated that no functional consequences of this had been observed,” says Richards. 

“It is important to highlight that since the 2014 opinion, additional data have been published that further support the importance of both ARA and DHA in developmental outcomes of infants.” 

The right ratio
Many infant nutrition experts agree that both DHA and ARA should both be added to formulas for infants, with most groups advocating at least as much ARA as DHA, says Finn.

Most regulations globally mandate an ARA:DHA ratio of at least 1:1, she explains. This is the case in the US, China, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil and many other countries, notes DSM. These amounts are in line with natural human milk composition, which has an average ratio of 1.5:1 ARA:DHA.

“DSM supports ARA and DHA in infant formulas at a ratio of at least 1:1 ARA:DHA, but ideally within the range of 1.5:1 to 2:1 ARA:DHA,” says Finn.

DSM suggests adding at least as much ARA as DHA in infant formula, on par with other global regulation.Infant formulas with ARA and DHA at these levels have been extensively studied and shown to be safe and have a positive impact on infant health.

Moreover, she points out that recent clinical evidence has demonstrated long-term beneficial neurodevelopmental outcomes of infant formulas containing ARA at levels at least equal to that of DHA. 

“When DHA is provided at levels exceeding ARA, data indicate that these benefits are diminished.”

Genetic variation should be considered
ARA supplementation is particularly important for infants carrying genetic variations called FADS polymorphisms. 

These genes are involved in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis, a process that is already inadequate during infancy to meet the body’s demand, says Richards. 

“Enzymes are required to convert linoleic acid (LA) and α-linoleic acid (ALA) into ARA and DHA. But people with FADS polymorphisms have impaired enzyme activity,” says Richards. 

“Infants with these polymorphisms especially rely on pre-formed ARA from either human milk or infant formula since they have a reduced ability to synthesize ARA from LA.”

He adds that EU regulation requires all infant formula to contain the fatty acids LA, ALA and DHA, highlighting the recognized importance of these ingredients. 

Missing from prenatal nutrition?
While many nutrients for newborns coincide with prenatal nutrient recommendations – such as DHA – Finn affirms that ARA is not one of them. 

“Most women consume enough ARA in their diets, so supplementation typically is not recommended.”

By contrast, DHA supplementation is often recommended prenatally because many women do not consume enough DHA in their diets and DHA is important for fetal development.

DHA supplementation in pregnant women has also been demonstrated to lower the incidence of preterm and early preterm birth, guiding prenatal nutritional recommendations in Australia. 

By Missy Green