Soy infant formula uses processed soybeans as its source of protein, and comes in powdered or liquid form.
[3] One naturally occurring plant-based compound found in soy-based infant formula is phytic acid.
China and Vietnam have regulated soy-based infant formulas to include NaFeEDTA (sodium-feric ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) to fortify the formula and enhance the absorption of iron by the infant.
[5] Soy-based infant formula can have aluminum, phytates, and phytoestrogens (isoflavones) that might cause unanticipated effects.
When a child develops an allergy to cows' milk, soy-based formula is used.
However, studies have shown that no correlation exists between the consumption of soy formula and abnormality in reproductive anatomy or function.
[8] Chronic food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) has been observed in infants aged younger than three months who were fed with soy formula.