IFC Statement on Advanced Glycation End Products
October 14, 2011
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Infant formula manufacturers continually work to ensure their products are safe and of the highest quality. When questions arise about the presence of a substance that commonly occurs during the heating and processing of food, such as advanced glycation end products (AGEs), these inquiries are taken very seriously.
All infant formulas are regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Neither the US FDA nor other regulatory/safety authorities have raised any concern about AGEs in infant formulas.
An October 2010 article in Diabetes Care suggests that AGEs in foods, including infant formulas, affect AGE levels in infants and young children, and hypothesizes that AGEs are involved in the development of diabetes.1 We are not aware of any studies linking AGEs with the incidence of diabetes in children who were formula fed. No health risk from AGEs in food has been established. AGEs also form naturally in the body.
Background
Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) are formed during heat processing of foods – specifically those containing protein and carbohydrate. Food is considered a major source of total AGEs and humans have been exposed to food-derived AGEs as long as mankind has been cooking food.
Infant formulas are heated during the manufacturing process, to ensure their microbiological safety. This can generate AGEs and thus infant formulas contain higher levels of AGEs than breast milk,1 The infant formula industry, which is among the most highly regulated in the world, is dedicated to product safety and on-going research to ensure that safety. As a responsible industry, infant formula manufacturers will continue to monitor the topic of AGEs in infant formula.
October, 2011
References Cited:
1. Mericq V, Piccardo C, Cai W, Chen X, Zhu L, Striker GE, et al. Maternally transmitted and food-derived glycotoxins: a factor preconditioning the young to diabetes? Diabetes Care;33(10):2232-7