Thirty years of the ESPGAN/ESPGHAN committee on nutrition

The creation of the Committee on Nutrition of ESPGAN (later ESPGHAN) in 1974 was stimulated by the need to define generally acceptable standards for infant feeding and for dietetic products for infants. Since the late 1970s the Committee has published a series of widely respected authoritative comments that have provided guidance for pediatricians, regulatory bodies and manufacturers of food products in Europe and other parts of the world. The Committee and its members have also contributed to the development of standards by the Codex Alimentarius Committee of the World Health Organization and of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and of standards in the European Union. Among the further aims of the Committee aims is the stimulation and support of young researchers entering the field of nutrition and metabolism, as well as the lobbying for public and private funding that supports pediatric nutrition research. The strong tradition of 30 successful years with the achievements made, and the appreciation of the vision and determination of the pioneers who had built the Committee, provide a major stimulus to strive for continued excellence in achieving the Committee's mission.