Fatty acid content and composition of infant formulas and cereals

The lipid content and fatty acid composition of commercial infant formulas and cereals were determined. The lipid content of formulas ranged from 3 to 7 percent by weight and provided from 30 to 47 percent of the total calories supplied by the formula. The fatty acd distribution in several formulas was similar to that of fat in human milk. Linoleic acid, ranging from 13 to 53 percent, supplied from 5.7 to 24 percent of total calories. The infants' requirements for linoleic acid (2.7 percent of total calories) would be adequately satisfied by any of the commercial formulas. No significant level of trans fatty acid isomers was found in any commercial formula. Infant cereals had low levels of fat, with 21 to 49 percent of the fatty acids being linoleic acid.