Revisions to the Codex Standard for Follow-up Formula (CXS 156-1987) were adopted 28 November by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The text has been renamed to the Standard for Follow-up Formula for Older Infants and Product for Young Children in order to highlight the point of differentiation at 12 months of age due to different nutritional requirements of older infants and young children. The adoption of this text concludes over 10 years of deliberations within the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Food for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU).

The two-part text ensures that follow-up formula, when used, will support the growth and development of older infants aged between 6 and 12 months and outlines the requirements for product or drink for young children more than 12 months up to 3 years in age.

The revision additionally includes new labelling provisions for the Standard taking into account the recommendations of the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and the WHO Guidance on Ending the Inappropriate Promotion of Foods for Infants and Young Children and ensuring that follow-up formula for older infants and product for young children are not confused with other food products intended for infants and young children.

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