Moumin, N.A.Grieger, J.A.Netting, M.J.Makrides, M.Green, T.J.2023-10-102023-10-102023The Journal of Nutrition, 2023; 153(10):3101-31090022-31661541-6100https://hdl.handle.net/2440/139667Available online 19 August 2023Background: Meeting iron intake recommendations is challenging for infants 6–12 mo, especially breastfed infants. Three-quarters of Australian infants 6–12 mo have iron intakes below the estimated average requirement (7 mg), placing them at risk of iron deficiency. After 6 mo, breastmilk is no longer sufficient to meet the increased demand for iron, and iron-rich complementary foods are recommended. Ironfortified foods may be a means of improving iron intake in infants, particularly those that are breastfed. Objectives: The aims of the study were as follows: 1) to examine the effect of milk-type and fortified foods on iron intake and the prevalence of inadequacy in infants 6–12 mo; 2) to model the effect of fixed amounts of iron-fortified infant cereal (IFIC) at 6 levels of iron fortification on total iron intake and the prevalence of inadequacy; and 3) to assess the effect IFIC on the intake of other nutrients in the diet. Design: Secondary analysis of cross-sectional dietary intake data of infants 6–12 mo (n ¼ 286) participating in the Australian Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (OzFITS) 2021. Results: Median (interquartile range) iron intake was 8.9 (7.5, 10.3); 6.3 (4.5, 8.2); and 2.7 (1.5, 4.4) mg/d in formula-fed, combinationfed, and breastfed infants, respectively. The corresponding prevalence of inadequacy was 19%, 67%, and 96%. Infants who consumed fortified foods had higher median iron intakes than those who did not, 6.2 compared with 1.9 mg/d. Dietary modeling showed that consuming 18 g (300 kJ) of IFIC, fortified at 35 mg/100 g dry weight, reduces the prevalence of inadequacy for iron from 75% to 5% for all infants. Conclusions: Iron intakes are low in Australian infants, especially for breastfed infants in the second half of infancy. Modeling shows that 300 kJ of IFIC, the current manufacturer-recommended serving, fortified at 35 mg/100 g dry weight, added to infant diets would be an effective means to reduce the prevalence of inadequacy for iron.en© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of American Society for Nutrition. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).IronInfant FeedingIron Fortified Infant CerealDietary ModelingAustraliaJournal article10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.08.0182023-10-10654398Moumin, N.A. [0000-0002-3336-3153]Grieger, J.A. [0000-0003-1515-948X]Netting, M.J. [0000-0002-0642-9145]Makrides, M. [0000-0003-3832-541X]Green, T.J. [0000-0002-0667-4300]