Proteins
Proteins are large molecules made of amino acids. Proteins are found in animal and plant foods. Proteins are the main structural constituents of the cells and tissues of the body. Muscles and organs are largely made of proteins. Proteins are necessary for growth and development of the body; for body maintenance and the repair and replacement of worn out or damaged tissues; to produce metabolic and digestive enzymes; and they are an essential constituent of certain hormones.
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Nutrition (JEMNU) on nitrogen to protein conversion factors for soy-based and milk-based ingredients used in infant formulas and follow-up
SCOPE AND PURPOSE
The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Nutrition (JEMNU) was established in 2009 to provide scientific advice to the committees of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme or Member Countries. JEMNU aims to provide relevant scientific advice in an independent, timely and cost-effective manner; therefore, JEMNU will be convened when there is a specific request from a Codex Committee or Member Countries.
Currently being discussed at the Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) is the most appropriate nitrogen to protein conversion factor (or factors) to use in estimating protein content of soy-based ingredients and milk-based ingredients used in infant formulas and follow-up formulas. To provide guidance on this topic, at the 39th Session of CCNFSDU in 2017, the Committee requested that JEMNU be convened to review the evidence and develop evidence-informed guidance regarding nitrogen to protein conversion factors.
FAO and WHO will therefore be convening the first meeting of JEMNU in Geneva, Switzerland from 16 to 17 July 2019.
To facilitate the work of JEMNU, a systematic review has been commissioned to compile and analyse the available data on nitrogen to protein conversion factors for foods containing soy-based and/or milk-based ingredients.
OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The objectives of the meeting are to:
• review and interpret the evidence from the systematic review;
• determine appropriate conversion factor(s) for soy-based and milk-based ingredients used in infant formulas and follow-up formulas; and
• provide any additional, relevant information to be included in the meeting report which will be submitted to the 41st Session of CCNFSDU which will be held in Düsseldorf, Germany, 24 to 29 November 2019.
The expected outcome of the meeting is, therefore a detailed meeting report including appropriate conversion factor(s) for soy-based and milk-based ingredients used in infant formulas and follow-up formulas.
This meeting announcement is also cross-posted on the website of the World Health Organization (WHO) at https://www.who.int/nutrition/events/2019-JEMNU-meeting-16to17july.