As of 1 January 2025, ISDI is the official coordinator of the Stakeholder Program on Infant Formula and Adult Nutritionals (SPIFAN) in partnership with AOAC International. SPIFAN develops consensus-based standards and methods to ensure the safety and quality of infant formula and adult nutritionals and to address the issues that impact the specialised nutrition industry. These standards and methods provide critical guidance to regulators and industry.

SPIFAN was launched by AOAC International in 2011. It has developed more than 40 consensus-based standards, published 73 official methods of analysis and had 17 joint AOAC-ISO-IDF methods endorsed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, and engages 100+ stakeholders representing six continents. Some of its main activities include:

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

SPIFAN is powered by the experts on the stakeholder panel. It provides an opportunity to work at the forefront of methods development and standardisation, and the work of SPIFAN contributes directly to product safety.

If you are interested in learning more about SPIFAN or contributing to its work, please contact us at secretariat@isdi.org.