Stakeholder Panel on Infant Formula and Adult Nutritionals logo
AOAC’s Stakeholder Program on Infant Formula and Adult Nutritionals (SPIFAN) is dedicated to developing consensus-based standards and methods to make infant formula and adult nutritionals safer for babies and adults to consume.

SPIFAN develops consensus-based standards and methods to address issues that most impact the industry that supplies formulas for infants and special medical purposes (adult nutritionals). SPIFAN standards and methods provide critical guideposts to regulators and industry.

Scope and Objectives

  • Publishing Standard Method Performance Requirements (SMPRs) and AOAC Official Methods of Analysis
  • Facilitating review and evaluation of SPIFAN methods by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Dairy Federation (IDF), and AOAC review of ISO/IDF methods to ensure harmonization
  • Facilitating joint submission, review, and evaluation of AOAC SPIFAN methods for consideration as Codex Type II methods (i.e., international reference methods)
  • Creating new standards for novel technologies and ingredients

AOAC partners with the Infant Nutrition Council of America (INCA) on SPIFAN activities and signed a new agreement with INCA in October 2018.

Working Groups and Expert Review Panels

Since its inception in 2011, SPIFAN has created 28 working groups. Current SPIFAN working groups include:

  • A2 Beta-Casein Working Group
  • Phospholipids Working Group

Current SPIFAN Expert Review Panels (ERPs) include the Nutrients ERP and Contaminants ERP. Click here to view reports from recent ERP meetings >

Accomplishments to Date

  • Developed more than 40 consensus-based standards
  • Published 50 First Action Official Methods of Analysis
  • Published 23 Final Action Official Methods of Analysis
  • 17 joint AOAC-ISO-IDF methods endorsed by WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission
  • Engagement of 100+ stakeholders representing six continents

Get Involved

SPIFAN is powered by the experts on the stakeholder panel and the submitters of methods related to infant formula and adult nutritionals.

For scientists, participating in SPIFAN provides the opportunity to be on the front lines of methods development and standardization in the nutritionals space and to interact with like-minded colleagues at various stages of their careers.

For companies, supporting SPIFAN makes a direct contribution to product safety and simultaneously demonstrates corporate commitment to the advancement of method science.

If you are interested in this program and would like to partner with AOAC, please contact Alicia Meiklejohn at (301) 924-7077, ext. 101 or [email protected].

For general information on AOAC SPIFAN, please contact Delia Boyd, Program Lead, at (301) 924-7077, ext. 126 or [email protected].