The Infant and Dietetic Foods Association (IDFA) is the trade association representing manufacturers of specialist nutrition products in the UK.
Specialist nutrition products are a category of foods that are specially formulated for adults and infants who have particular nutritional requirements. By law they must be suitable for their claimed nutritional purpose and must fulfill certain criteria. They are defined as foods that must meet the particular nutritional requirements of:
- certain categories of people who have a 'disturbed' digestive process or metabolism;
- certain categories of people who are able to obtain a special benefit from the controlled consumption of certain nutrients or substances in foods; and
- infants and young children.
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By law, baby foods and drinks do not contain any artificial additives, including
artificial sweeteners. |
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Specialist nutrition products are different, therefore, from normal foods because of their composition or method of manufacture. They include infant foods (baby milks and weaning foods) for normal healthy babies, as well as foods for adults and infants who have special dietary needs, such as medical foods, slimming foods, and sports foods.
Considerable research goes into developing specialist nutrition products which are highly regulated, and manufactured and marketed to the highest standards.
Member companies employ qualified nutritionists and work closely with health professionals to develop high quality nutritional foods that meet legal, medical, nutritional and consumer requirements. |