<< Can someone answer this question once and for all: Does the FDA
have guidelines about formula content? If so, what are they? >>

The answer has to be "yes". In Australia the composition of infant
formula is covered by Standard R7 in the Food Code. Many countries
adopt the "codex alementarius" which is the world standard referred
to in the WHO Code under "Quality and Labelling"..

Typically, the standard lists each ingredient and give a range, or a
minimum or a maximum.  It is worth knowing the current standard and
knowing when revisions are being considered, so people knowledgeable
about the biochemistry of "normal" infant feeding (ie breastmilk)
can put in submissions. Someone needs to be monoring this. Eg the
recent addition of nucleotides to infant formula would have required a
revision.

Having read Ross's US press release last week on Similac, I wondered
whether (in the absence of the WHO Code implementation in the US)
there is any avenue through the FDA to restrict such outlandish
therapeutic claims. Check it ourt on their web site if you are not
prone to regurgitation!

Ros Escott
Consumer Representative
Advisory Panel on the Marketing in Australia of Infant Formula