Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for submissions on Proposal P1066 – Review of young child formula.
This proposal considers whether the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) should be updated to ensure regulatory requirements for young child formula, commonly known as toddler milks, remain fit for purpose and reflect their intended role as a special purpose food.
Assessment to date indicates there is a need for greater regulatory clarity to ensure product composition, labelling and representation are consistent with the intended purpose of these products.
This 1st call for submissions outlines FSANZ’s assessment and proposed regulatory approaches and seeks stakeholder views to inform whether FSANZ should prepare a draft variation to amend the Code.
What’s being proposed?
The 1st call for submissions proposes a modernised regulatory framework for young child formula, including:
- introducing a specific definition for young child formula
- establishing stand-alone provisions within the Code
- revising compositional requirements to align with the nutritional needs of children aged 1–3 years and relevant international standards
- strengthening labelling requirements to support safe use, improve consumer information and reduce the potential for confusion.
Assessment and evidence
FSANZ’s assessment to date has considered:
- the intended role of these products as special purpose foods
- available scientific evidence
- international regulatory approaches
- contemporary market and marketing practices.
Consultation
First call for submissions
This proposal is being assessed under FSANZ’s major procedure and will include 2 rounds of public consultation. The current call for submissions will run from 26 May 2026 to 7 July 2026.
- P1066 1st Call for Submissions (959 KB)
- P1066 Supporting Document 1 - Nutrient Composition (1 MB)
- P1066 Supporting Document 2 - Labelling (711 KB)
- P1066 Supporting Document 3 - Safety and Food Technology (870 KB)
- P1066 Supporting Document 4 - Microbiological Assessment (1.4 MB)
- P1066 Supporting Document 5 - Preliminary consideration of costs and benefits (423 KB)
Submissions can be made on the P1066 Consultation Hub page.
Administrative assessment
Background
Why is FSANZ looking at this now?
Proposal P1066 was prepared following a request from the Food Ministers’ Meeting in November 2024 to review regulatory provisions for young child formula in response to market developments.
About young child formula
Young child formula is currently regulated under Standard 2.9.3 Formulated meal replacements and formulated supplementary foods as formulated supplementary foods for young children (FSFYC) in the Code.
While these products are regulated as special purpose foods intended to supplement the diets of children aged 1–3 years in limited circumstances, they are widely marketed as ‘toddler’ or ‘junior’ milks and positioned as routine or beneficial components of healthy young children’s diets.