The aim of the focus action "Milk-based infant formula and follow-on formula" was to review this product group. As infants are particularly worthy of protection, focus actions with a changing scope of analysis are carried out every year.

73 samples from all over Austria were examined. 44 samples were rejected (partly because of several reasons for rejection):

• 39 samples were found to have labeling deficiencies.
• 29 samples also showed inadmissible information about the absence of gluten
• four samples showed inadmissible nutritional information
• two samples were found to have hygiene deficiencies (Bacillus cereus)
• four samples were unfit for human consumption (3-MCPD and glycidyl ester)
• two samples were harmful to health (high content of 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD) incl. ester)

The majority of the complaints concerned labeling deficiencies or the reference to the gluten-free nature of the products, which has no longer been permitted since July 20, 2016.

3-Monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD) incl. esters are mainly formed during the production of vegetable fats and oils. 3-MCPD is considered to be possibly carcinogenic to humans.

Bacillus cereus is a particularly resistant bacterium.