A systematic comparison between infant formula compositions using the Bray-Curtis Similarity Index

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Biostatistics
• Food Science

Background:

• Choosing infant formula is difficult due to a lack of unbiased comparison tools for complex compositions.
• Existing infant formula selection relies on lengthy ingredient lists, complicating informed decisions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Bray-Curtis Similarity Index (BCSI) as a quantitative method for comparing standard stage-1 infant formula (SS-1-IF) nutrient profiles.
• To provide a systematic approach for evaluating SS-1-IF compositions against international standards.

Main Methods:

• Nutrient data from 23 SS-1-IFs in Saudi Arabia were collected from product labels.
• The BCSI was employed to compare displayed nutrient levels against minimum international standards, focusing on adherence to recommended ranges.
• A blind comparison methodology was used, prioritizing minimum nutrient targets as per international guidelines.

Main Results:

• All analyzed components, except docosahexaenoic acid, were within recommended ranges across the 23 SS-1-IFs.
• The BCSI effectively condensed multiple nutrient values into a single comparative metric, ranging from 0.4141 to 0.79730.
• A higher BCSI indicated closer alignment with minimum nutrient levels, enabling ranking and clustering of formulas.

Conclusions:

• The BCSI is a suitable tool for systematic comparison of SS-1-IF compositions.
• This index can assist consumers and healthcare professionals in making informed choices among available infant formulas.