Evaluation of the taste, smell, and appearance of formulas used in the management of cow’s milk protein allergy: A multicenter, prospective, single-blind, cross-sectional observational study (CONTEST-2)

• Hulya Anıl ^[6] ; Deniz Ozceker ^[7] ; Merve Karaca Sahin ^[7] ; Aysen Bingol ^[1] ; Fatma Dilara Kocacık Uygun ^[1] ; Mustafa Arga ^[8] ; Dilek Kacar ^[8] ; Metin Aydogan ^[2] ; Nezihe Nefise Uluc ^[2] ; Arzu Bakırtas ^[9] ; Hacer Ilbilge Ertoy Karagol ^[9] ; Zeynep Cavdar ^[9] ; Feride Candan ^[6] ; Figen Gulen ^[3] ; Handan Duman Senol ^[3] ; Pınar Uysal ^[4] ; Duygu Erge ^[4] ; Zeynep Ulker Altınel ^[5] ; Sibel Gurbuz ^[5] ; Koray Harmancı ^[6]
  1. [1] Akdeniz University

     Akdeniz University

     Turquía

     
  2. [2] University of Kocaeli

     University of Kocaeli

     Turquía

     
  3. [3] Ege University

     Ege University

     Turquía

     
  4. [4] Adnan Menderes University

     Adnan Menderes University

     Turquía

     
  5. [5] Istanbul University

     Istanbul University

     Turquía

     
  6. [6] Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Eskisehir Osmangazi University School of Medicine, Eskisehir, Turkiye
  7. [7] Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascioglu City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkiye
  8. [8] Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Istanbul Medeniyet University Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Dr. Suleyman Yalcin City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkiye
  9. [9] Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Gazi University, Medical School, Ankara, Turkiye

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• Localización: Allergologia et immunopathologia: International journal for clinical and investigate allergology and clinical immunology, ISSN-e 1578-1267, ISSN 0301-0546, Vol. 53, Nº. 6, 2025, págs. 94-101
• Idioma: inglés
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  • The main drawback of hypoallergenic formulas for cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) is their low palatability. This study aims to examine the decisions made by mothers of infants diagnosed with CMPA and physicians regarding the taste of extensively hydrolyzed formulas (eHFs), amino acid-based formulas (AAFs), and rice-based formulas. This single-blind, multicenter study was conducted in nine pediatric allergy centers across Türkiye and included 181 pediatricians and 137 mothers of children with CMPA. Seven substitution formulas without added sweeteners or additional flavorings available on the market were tested: Two AAFs (Neocate-Numil®, Alfamino-Nestlé®), one AAF with synbiotics (Pregomin Syneo-Numil®), one AAF specifically designed to meet the nutritional and lifestyle needs of children over 1 year of age (Neocate Junior-Numil®), one synbiotic eHF (Aptamil Pepti Syneo-Numil®), and two rice protein-based formulas (Evolvia RP1-Montero® and Evolvia RP2-Montero®). A sensory evaluation was conducted using a single-blind protocol, following the methodology previously applied in the CONTEST-1 study. Neocate Junior-Numil® was the most preferred product in terms of taste, smell, and appearance, as rated by both mothers and physicians. It was the most preferred formula by both mothers (49.6%) and physicians (62.4%) in terms of taste. Aptamil Pepti Syneo-Numil® ranked second (32.8% for mothers, 42.0% for physicians), followed by Evolvia RP2-Montero® (23.4%) for mothers and Alfamino-Nestle® (22.1%) for physicians. The fact that both mothers and physicians most frequently preferred Neocate Junior-Numil® suggests that sensory characteristics of formulas used in CMPA management—such as taste, smell, and appearance—may play a decisive role in treatment adherence. This finding highlights the importance of considering not only nutritional adequacy but also acceptability when selecting a formula.