Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced Monday that selenium will be the 30th ingredient added to the list of required nutrients in infant formula, according to the press release.

Ever since the Institute of Medicine discovered the health benefits selenium produces for infants in 1989, all infant formulas in the U.S. have contained the product. With selenium being added to the list of required nutrients, FDA has established a minimum level (2.0 micrograms (μg) selenium/100 kilocalories) and a maximum level (7.0 μg/100 kilocalories). Additionally, all infant formulas must contain a label listing the amount of selenium per 100 kilocalories in each product.

Selenium, which is found in breast milk, can help the body defend against oxidative stress and aids in the regulation of thyroid hormones.

Posted on WholeFoodsMagazine.com 6/23/2015