Vitamin A and vitamin E content of infant formulas produced in the United States

Vitamin A (vitamin A palmitate) and vitamin E (alpha-tocopheryl acetate) levels were determined in 77 samples of fortified infant formulas manufactured by 4 firms in the United States from 1981 to 1983 and were compared by formulation base (soy, milk) and manufacturing firm. For vitamin A and vitamin E, the mean values (IU/100 kcal) were 454 +/- 95 (range 248-614) and 2.0 +/- 0.7 (range 1.1-5.0), respectively. No significant differences (alpha = 0.05) were found in levels (IU/100 kcal) of vitamin A and vitamin E between milk- and soy-based formulas. When the mean vitamin A and vitamin E levels of formulas produced by the various firms were compared on an IU/100 kcal or percent of label declaration basis, significant differences (alpha = 0.05) were found among firms. Mean vitamin A levels for the various products compared to label declarations ranged from 126% of declared for the ready-to-use formulas to 139% of declared for the powders. Mean vitamin E levels ranged from 97% of declared for ready-to-use formulas to 118% of declared for concentrates. Except for one sample that contained 248 IU vitamin A/100 kcal, the formulas met the requirements of the 1980 Infant Formula Act.