21 C.F.R. § 107.100
Nutrient specifications.
Cite as 21 C.F.R. § 107.100 (2026)
(a) An infant formula shall contain the following nutrients at a level not less than the minimum level specified and not more than the maximum level specified for each 100 kilocalories of the infant formula in the form prepared for consumption as directed on the container:
Nutrients
Unit of measurement
Minimum level
Maximum level
Protein
Grams
1.8
4.5
Fat
Do.
3.3
6.0
Percent calories
30
54
Linoleic acid
Milligrams
300
Percent calories
2.7
Vitamins
Vitamin A
International Units
250
750
Vitamin D
Do.
40
100
Vitamin E
Do.
0.7
Vitamin K
Micrograms
4
Thiamine (Vitamin B
1
)
Do.
40
Riboflavin (Vitamin B
2
)
Do.
60
Vitamin B
6
Do.
35
Vitamin B
12
Do.
0.15
Niacin
1
Do.
250
Folic acid (Folacin)
Do.
4
Pantothenic acid
Do.
300
Biotin
2
Do.
1.5
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)
Milligrams
8
Choline
2
Do.
7
Inositol
2
Do.
4
Minerals
Calcium
Do.
60
Phosphorus
Do.
30
Magnesium
Do.
6
Iron
Do.
0.15
3.0
Zinc
Do.
0.5
Manganese
Micrograms
5
Copper
Do.
60
Iodine
Do.
5
75
Selenium
Do.
2
7
Sodium
Milligrams
20
60
Potassium
Do.
80
200
Chloride
Do.
55
150
1
The generic term “niacin” includes niacin (nicotinic acid) and niacinamide (nicotinamide).
2
Required only for non-milk-based infant formulas.
(b) Vitamin E shall be present at a level of at least 0.7 International Unit of vitamin E per gram of linoleic acid.
(c) Any vitamin K added shall be in the form of phylloquinone.
(d) Vitamin B
6
shall be present at a level of at least 15 micrograms of vitamin B
6
for each gram of protein in excess of 1.8 grams of protein per 100 kilocalories of infant formula in the form prepared for consumption as directed on the container.
(e) The ratio of calcium to phosphorus in infant formula in the form prepared for consumption as directed on the container shall be no less than 1.1 and not more than 2.0.
(f) Protein shall be present in an amount not to exceed 4.5 grams per 100 kilocalories regardless of quality, and not less than 1.8 grams per 100 kilocalories of infant formula in the form prepared for consumption as directed on the container when its biological quality is equivalent to or better than that of casein. If the biological quality of the protein is less than that of casein, the minimum amount of protein shall be increased proportionately to compensate for its lower biological quality. For example, an infant formula containing protein with a biological quality of 75 percent of casein shall contain at least 2.4 grams of protein (1.8/0.75). No protein with a biological quality less than 70 percent of casein shall be used.
[50 FR 45108, Oct. 30, 1985, as amended at 80 FR 35841, June 23, 2015]