[Evolution of the application of nutrition in French nursing infants. Comparison of two national investigations performed in 1981 and 1989].

A national dietary survey was carried out in 1981 among a representative sample of 499 French infants 1 to 18 months of age. When compared with the French Recommended Dietary Allowances, the diets were found to be well supplied in energy, protein and calcium, and inadequately supplied in iron and linoleic acid, mainly for infants aged 4-10 months. A comparative dietary survey conducted by using the same methodology (food consumption was measured by means of a 3-day food record) in 1989 showed that linoleic acid intake was higher in the 6-month-old group.

[The legislation of dietetic products 25 years after the position statement of the Academy of Medicine].

After years of regulatory activity organized according to the Academy's vow in 1966, the commission for foods for special dietary uses has to change the way of working. Now being more used as an authorization committee, the commission needs to be supported by a high level scientific consensus, able to be opposed to other foreign scientific opinion. The Academy of Medicine could be the place for establishing this consensus.