Core Tip:
Recently, the SAMR in the “Administrative Measures for Infant Formula Foods Filing Management (Draft for Soliciting Opinions)” made it clear that infant formula foods using bovine colostrum as raw materials will not be filed. This policy brought back the familiar and unfamiliar food of bovine colostrum into public. So, what’s the issues with bovine colostrum? Why do infant formulas prohibit the use of bovine colostrum?
What is bovine colostrum? Bovine Colostrum refers to milk secreted from a female mammal within 2 to 3 days after delivering. Currently, the dairy industry generally refers to the milk secreted by cows within 7 days after delivery as bovine colostrum, and the milk secreted after more than 300 days is called regular milk. Bovine colostrum is yellow due to the presence of beta-carotene, and its texture is sticky, with a peculiar smell and bitter taste. It contains not only conventional nutrients such as protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals, but also contains a large number of physiologically active ingredients such as immune factors and growth factors, including immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, lysozyme, and lactoperoxidase, insulin-like growth factors, etc., can effectively improve human immunity.
Since bovine colostrum is highly nutritious and rich in immune factors, why not add it to infant formula? Adults have strong resistance and dietary structure is comprehensive. Consume bovine colostrum enhance immunity. However, the recipes for children under two years of age are mainly milk, especially for babies from 0 to 6 months. The food is very simple. At present, there is no data and research results can show that high concentrations of acidity, nutrients, immune protein balls, etc., in bovine colostrum will not adversely affect infants and children. Therefore, children cannot risk eating bovine colostrum formula foods.
