The U.S. Food And Drugs Administration released a new set of rules to regulate standards in manufacturing of infant formula.

The revised rule sets standards for manufacturers of infant formula in the United States, according to an FDA press statement.

"Many families rely on infant formula as either the sole source of nutrition or an integral part of an infant's diet through 12 months of age," said Michael R. Taylor, the FDA's deputy commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine in the statement. "The FDA sets high quality standards for infant formulas because nutritional deficiencies during this critical time of development can have a significant impact on a child's long-term health and well-being. This rule will help to prevent adulteration in infant formula and ensure infant formula supports normal, physical growth."

Health experts recommend that all new born babies should be breastfed. Unfortunately, only 75 percent of babies in the United States start off on breast milk. Even then, 66 percent of the U.S. infants are moved to infant formula by the time they become three months old.

 The new rule is applicable only to infant formula used by healthy infants who have no dietary issues or medical problems. The rule requires that the infant formula contain all federally required nutrients and should be tested for microbial contamination. This includes testing representative samples of finished products to prevent the distribution of infant formula products contaminated with the pathogens Cronobacter and Salmonella.

Over the last few months, the FDA has accelerated its efforts to safeguard public health with the announcement of several significant measures including proposed rules calling for better safety of products such as antibacterial soaps, apple juice and imported food.

Infant formula recalls are not rare, though its occurrence has decreased since the last few months.

French dairy giant Danone's Nutricia unit recalled $25.7 million of infant formula from the New Zealand market when it was caught up in Fonterra's false food alarm last year.

In March 2012, Gerber Products Company was forced to recall a batch of Good Start Gentle Powdered Infant Formula because of foul odor complaints.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babies should be breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months. Beyond that, the AAP encourages breastfeeding until at least 12 months and longer if both the mother and baby are willing.