2.0 Product Categories

Infant, Follow-up, and Young Child Formula
Malaysia

This section provides the regulatory definition of the food category in scope, or the appropriate food category for the product in scope. Additionally, it provides the food products that belong to this food category along with the definition and specific information on each of these types of food products.

2.1 Category Name & Definition

1) Infant Formula [1]

Definition

Infant formula shall be any food described or sold as an alternative to human milk for the feeding of infants. It is a product prepared from the milk of a cow or other animal or other edible constituent of an animal or both, including fish, or from a plant suitable for infant feeding.

Specifications/Target Age

Infant formula that is specially processed or formulated to satisfy well-recognized and particular dietary requirements known to exist as a result of a physical or physiological condition or specific disease or disorder or both may be modified to suit that particular condition but in all other respects shall comply with the standard provided in Regulation 389 Malaysia Food Regulations.

Target age: infants from birth to 12 months of age

2) Follow-up Formula [2]

Definition

Follow-up formula shall be food intended for use as a liquid part of the weaning diet for an infant from the sixth month on and for children. It is a product prepared from the milk of cows or other animals or other constituents of animal or plant origin, which have been proven to be suitable for infants from the sixth month on and for young children.

Specifications/Target Age

Follow-up formula shall be nutritionally adequate to contribute to normal growth and development when used in accordance with its direction for use. 

Follow-up formula which is specially processed or formulated to satisfy well-recognized and particular dietary requirements known to exist as a result of a physical or physiological condition or specific disease or disorder or both may be modified to suit that particular condition but in all other respects shall comply with the standard provided in Regulation 389A Malaysia Food Regulations.

Target age: infant from the sixth month on and for children from the age of more than twelve months up to the age of three years.

3) Young Child Formula [3]

Definition

There is no specific category for "Young Child Formula" or "Toddler Milk Drink" in the Malaysia Food Regulations

Since the definition of "Follow-up formula" is food intended for use as a liquid part of the weaning diet for an infant from the sixth month on and for children, and "young children" is defined as a person from the age of more than twelve months up to the age of three years, Young Child formula (or Toddler Milk Drink) for a person from 12 months up to 36 months could fall under the definition and requirements for follow-up formula. 

Notwithstanding, Young Child formula (or Toddler Milk Drink) may also fall under the definition of "formulated milk powder for children" as prescribed in Regulation 91B.

2.2 Product & Definition

None

2.3 References

1. Regulations 2 and 389, Twenty First Schedule in Malaysia Food Regulations

http://fsq.moh.gov.my/v6/xs/page.php?id=72