30.12.2006 Official Journal of the European Union L 401/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COMMISSION DIRECTIVE 2006/141/EC of 22 December 2006 on infant formulae and follow-on formulae and amending Directive 1999/21/EC (Text with EEA relevance) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Directive 89/398/EEC of 3 May 1989 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to foodstuffs intended for particular nutritional uses (!), and in particular Article 4(1) thereof, After consulting the European Food Safety Authority (the Authority), Whereas: (1)  Directive 89/398/EEC concerns foodstuffs intended for particular nutritional uses. The specific provisions applicable to certain groups of foods for particular nu- tritional uses are laid down by specific Directives. (2)  Commission Directive 91/321/EEC of 14 May 1991 on infant formulae and follow-on formulae (?) is a specific Directive adopted pursuant to Directive 89/398/EEC. That Directive has been substantially amended several times (%). Since further amendments are to be made, it should be recast in the interests of clarity. (3) In the light of discussions in international fora, in particular Codex Alimentarius, in relation to the timing of the introduction of complementary foods into the diet (') OJ L 186, 30.6.1989, p. 27. Directive as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (O L 284, 31.10.2003, p. 1). (® OJ L 175, 4.7.1991, p. 35. Directive as last amended by the 2003 Act of Accession. (%) See Annex X, Part A. of infants, it is appropriate to amend the current defi- nitions of infant formulae and follow-on formulae and certain provisions on the labelling of follow-on formulae in Directive 91/321/EEC. Infant formula is the only processed foodstuff which wholly satisfies the nutritional requirements of infants during the first months of life until the introduction of appropriate  complementary feeding. In order to safeguard the health of such infants it is necessary to ensure that the only products marketed as suitable for such use during the period would be infant formulae. The essential composition of infant formulae and follow- on formulae must satisfy the nutritional requirements of infants in good health as established by generally accepted scientific data. The requirements concerning the essential composition of infant formulae and follow-on formulae should include detailed provisions on the protein content. Notwithstanding that traditionally different appropriate conversion factors have been used for the calculation of the protein content from the nitrogen content of different protein sources, recent scientific advice indicates that for the specific purposes of calculating the protein content of infant formulae and follow-on formulae it is appropriate to use a single conversion factor adapted to these products. As infant formulae and follow-on formulae are sophisticated products that are specially formulated for their intended purpose, ad- ditional essential requirements on protein, including minimum and maximum levels of protein and minimum levels of certain amino acids, should be estab- lished. The protein requirements specified in this Directive should relate to the final products as such, prepared ready for consumption.