Infant Formula

Arla’s low-protein infant formula offers results similar to breast milk feeding

04-Apr-2024 By Olivia Haslam

Infants fed low-protein formulas can achieve weight gain and metabolic profiles closer to that of breastfed infants, Arla Foods Ingredients-funded research has concluded.

‘A significant breakthrough’: Researchers develop human milk fat analog from microalgae

25-Mar-2024 By Asia Sherman

Biotechnology company Checkerspot has reproduced an essential human milk fat by fermenting microalgae at scale for the development of infant formula that replicates the nutritional benefits of breastfeeding.

UK supermarkets match Danone’s Aptamil baby formula price cuts

19-Jan-2024 By Olivia Brown

Following a recent investigation into soaring infant formula prices, global food company Danone has reduced the wholesale price of its Aptamil infant formula by 7%, and major UK retailers have passed the cost savings on to consumers.

Guest Article

Specialised Nutrition in 2023 and beyond

11-Dec-2023 By Beat Späth, Secretary General, Specialised Nutrition Europe

At Specialised Nutrition Europe (SNE), highlights in 2023 include the publication of the Code of Practice, important advocacy efforts on topics like packaging, nutrition labelling and date marking, key public statements made on infant and young child...

Limosilactobacillus vaginalis offers postbiotic strategy for compromised microbiota in infants

01-Nov-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Supplementation with heat-killed microbes of vaginal origin could help to nurture a healthy gut microbiota in infants, a new study has concluded.

Study: Nutrient dense formula could improve cognition and behaviour in infants

31-Oct-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Nutritional supplementation could support developmental myelination, a critical process in learning and development, in growing infants and young children, according to a new industry funded study.

Nestlé launches probiotic and HMO blend to mirror breastmilk changes

27-Oct-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Nestlé has launched a new proprietary blend for infant nutrition combining a probiotic strain with varying levels of six human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) to support the developing infant through its life stages.

SelenoExcell achieves self-affirmed GRAS

16-Oct-2023 By Danielle Masterson

The standardized high-selenium yeast–a more efficacious food form of the mineral–is also GRAS-affirmed for use in a variety of food categories.

FrieslandCampina Ingredients eyes ‘pockets of growth’ with new child nutrition portfolio

28-Sep-2023 By Teodora Lyubomirova

The company is pivoting its dairy-derived early life nutrition ingredients into a portfolio designed to enhance the nutritional value of products aimed at children aged 3 and up.

NutraCast: Helaina charts new territory with breast milk proteins from precision fermentation

24-Aug-2023 By Danielle Masterson

Helaina is pioneering modern nutrition with breast milk proteins developed outside the body via precision fermentation. The biotech company is writing the safety playbook on novel bioactive proteins and to help with this, Helaina hired a nutritional sciences...

dsm-firmenich gets FDA GRAS for novel HMOs

16-Aug-2023 By Stephen Daniells

The US FDA has issued ‘Good Day Letters’ to dsm-firmenich for three Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) notices submitted for the human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) LNFP-l/2’-FL and hypoallergenic grade LNnT and 2’-FL.

Abbott study: HMO 2'-FL formula modulates infant microbiome to support immune homeostasis

18-May-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Supplementation of infant formula with the human milk oligosaccharide 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) elevates the production of secondary microbial metabolites in the infant's microbiome to levels closer to that seen in breastfed infants, according to...

Algarithm ramps up competition in omega-3 market with new partnership

28-Mar-2023 By Danielle Masterson

Canadian algae-based omega-3 manufacturer Algarithm Ingredients recently signed a multi-year manufacturing deal with Seafood giant Thai Union Ingredients (TUI). TUI signed on for a multi-year manufacturing partnership, including collaboration at TUI’s...

'A new class of ingredients...' Precision fermentation-fueled startup Helaina to expand protein offerings beyond babies

12-Dec-2022 By Danielle Masterson

Utilizing precision fermentation to produce immune-system-supporting glycoproteins found in breast milk, Helaina is bridging the gap between traditional formula and breastfeeding. Now the company has its sights set on bringing its technology to a wider...

US infant formula shortage: FDA approves two products from Australia’s The a2 Milk Company

08-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Two products made from Australian and New Zealand-listed The a2 Milk Company (The a2MC) were granted entry into the US market under an expedited process, the US FDA announced.

Specific HMOs linked to infant brain development: Study

19-Sep-2022 By Stephen Daniells

Individual human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) may play critical roles in the maturation of gray matter in an infant brain, showing that inclusion of specific HMOs in infant formula could be beneficial, says a new study.

Helaina on track to deliver breast milk-equivalent baby formula

07-Jul-2022 By Danielle Masterson

The New York City-based company was founded in 2019 by food scientist Laura Katz who aspired to advance nutrition by recreating the functional components of breast milk. The lab produces microbes, ferments, and runs immunity testing.

Kendal Nutricare first new international supplier to enter US amid infant formula crisis

25-May-2022 By Katy Askew

The US Food and Drug Administration has revealed it will exercise ‘enforcement discretion’ to allow Kendal Nutricare to begin importing infant formula products to the US in a bid to ease the shortages that have hit the market.

‘Possible opportunity’: ANZ infant nutrition firms gear up for US market entry amid formula shortage

24-May-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Some infant formula manufacturers from Australia and New Zealand are preparing their US market debut amid the current shortages across the country.

Science shorts: Turmeric for weight loss, LGG for diarrhoea, and immune product innovation

20-May-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Here we reveal new scientific findings on how turmeric supplementation could improve metabolic parameters in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), Indian experts’ recommendation of Lactobacillus GG (LGG) for treating diarrhoea in children,...

Bovine ingredient safe to be added to infant formula EFSA says

12-May-2022 By Liza Laws

A novel food application for a whey protein to be used safely in infant formula has secured a positive opinion.

China authority seeks public consultation on use of HMO 2’-FL in infant formula

03-May-2022 By Tingmin Koe

China’s food regulator is seeking public consultation on the use of the human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL) in infant formula as well as in foods for toddlers and young children.

Study: Enriched infant formula may improve neurocognitive function in children at age 6

28-Mar-2022 By Asia Sherman

Infant formula enriched with milk fat globule membrane, omega-3 fatty acids and synbiotics improves brain function in healthy children, a new study suggests.

NutraWomen Wednesday: Laura Katz, CEO of Helaina

23-Mar-2022 By Danielle Masterson

Laura Katz founded a company on the belief that breastfeeding should not define the health of a child—or the worth of a parent. Helaina is a company that uses precision fermentation to reinvent infant formula by producing functional proteins through microbial...

Infant formula with added probiotics and oligosaccharides can improve gut health, say scientists

08-Mar-2022 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Supplementing starter formula with probiotics and added human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) for infants up to six months offers similar gut microbiome benefits as breast milk and could help align the microbial pattern of infants on formula towards that...

Chr. Hansen publishes first scientific study of HMO mix in natural concentrations in infant formula

30-Aug-2021 By Jim Cornall

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are the third most abundant components exclusively found in human breast milk.

Nestlé report aims to ‘hold ourselves accountable’ in infant formula marketing

25-Aug-2021 By Will Chu

Nestlé makes available a report outlining efforts to comply with formula marketing guidelines that in recent years has been a subject of contention for the owners of the Gerber and NAN baby food brands.

FrieslandCampina: ‘What’s exciting is combining HMOs & GOS for digestion, immunity & absorption.’

23-Aug-2021 By Will Chu

Over the last 20 years, the increase in exclusive breastfeeding and formula milk consumption, particularly in upper-middle-income countries, has led to product makers and ingredient suppliers revising plans in order to meet demand.

Ingredients that mimic breast milk to propel growth in formula space

10-Aug-2021 By Danielle Masterson

A recent analysis has found that the global infant formula ingredients market is expanding steadily with the rising middle class and the demand for high-quality infant formula gains traction.

Reckitt Benckiser surrenders probiotics, DHA claims for infant product

22-Jul-2021 By Hank Schultz

Nestlé has scored a point against competitor Reckitt Benckiser by inducing it to drop claims for the probiotic and DHA content of one of its infant formulas.

NutraVideo: Attorney Nair on the reasonable consumer

04-Jan-2021 By Danielle Masterson

So-called 'transition' or toddler formulas allegedly trick parents into thinking these products adhere to the same standards as infant formula, according to three separate but nearly identical class action lawsuits.

Enriched infant formula linked to fewer behavioral problems in toddlers: Study

18-Dec-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Infant formula enriched with milk fat globule membrane, omega-3 fatty acids, and synbiotics may lead to fewer behavioral problems up to 2.5 years of age, says a study from Spain.

BIOMILQ raises $3.5m to fund mammary cell-cultured human breastmilk platform, disrupt infant nutrition market

16-Jun-2020 By Elaine Watson

BIOMILQ – a startup producing breastmilk by culturing human mammary cells - has raised $3.5m to meet the needs of the four fifths of women who transition to dairy-based formula before the recommended six-month exclusivity period for breastfeeding, but...

HMOs for NEC: Abbott-Johns Hopkins researchers unlock breastmilk prebiotics intestinal mechanism

09-Apr-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) may prevent the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants by inhibiting a specific receptor in the intestine linked to inflammation, researchers from Johns Hopkins and Abbott report for the...

SmartyPants announces launch of baby multivitamin

04-Mar-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Today SmartyPants revealed the debut of their first pediatrician-designed baby multivitamin with omega-3 DHA and lutein focused on cognitive and visual development.

3-FL demonstrates safe use for food and dietary supplements: Study

25-Feb-2020 By Danielle Masterson

DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences continues its foray into digestive health by ramping up research on human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs).

RB partners with Evolve BioSystems on infant probiotic products

09-Dec-2019 By Stephen Daniells

The new partnership leverages RB’s national footprint to expand the reach and adoption of Evivo, Evolve BioSystems' infant probiotic, across the United States.

Genomma Lab and UPI promote infant nutrition in Mexico

23-Sep-2019 By Natasha Spencer

Leading personal care producer, Genomma Lab Internacional, and nutrition and health specialists, UP International, enter an exclusive agreement to expand infant nutrition.

Mimicking mother’s milk: Morinaga Milk Industry to focus on probiotic applications in infant formula

01-Aug-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

Japanese dairy giant Morinaga Milk Industry, a probiotic strains supplier, has plans in the upcoming year around to expand the application of its functional proprietary probiotic strain into infant formula, to aid with gut health and immune protection.

Prevalence of bacterial contamination of infant formula in China warrants further research

27-Nov-2018 By Cheryl Tay

The prevalence of Bacillus cereus in infant and follow-up formula in China may warrant further research so criteria can be developed for risk assessment and quality control, say Chinese researchers.

Revenue rockets at Swisse parent firm Health and Happiness as probiotics perform well

04-Sep-2018 By Tingmin Koe

Health and Happiness (H&H) achieved a revenue of RMB4573.6m (about US$669m) in the first half of 2018, which is 28.8% higher than the same period last year.

NUTRAINGREDIENTS-USA AWARDS 2018: HIGHLIGHT

MEET THE WINNERS: Ingredients of the year

25-Jul-2018 By Adi Menayang

At the inaugural NutraIngredients-USA Awards last week, we awarded four companies for their innovation in nutritional ingredients.

Nestlé under scrutiny for its infant formula marketing approach

02-Feb-2018 By Will Chu

Accusations levelled at Nestlé claim the Swiss corporate giants mislead consumers with nutritional claims about its infant formula products, flouting ethical marketing codes in the process.

Prebiotic fortified infant formula linked to immune biomarkers in infants

10-Nov-2016 By Stephen Daniells

An experimental formula fortified with a specific human milk oligosaccharide may modify the immune profile of infants similar to that observed in breastfeeding, says a new study from Abbott Nutrition.

EFSA health claim opinion

Vitamin C infant claim to drive consumer confidence: Nutritionist

18-Nov-2015 By Michael HURLEY

An EFSA-approved health claim relating to infant immune system function will spread consumer confidence, a nutritionist says, although a pro-breast milk feeding group warns the claim could be abused.

Irish firm moves on omega-3, omega-6 encapsulation

29-Jul-2014 By Anne Bruce

Irish encapsulation specialist AnaBio has lodged a patent for encapsulation of long-chain fatty acids for use in infant formula and elsewhere.

Danone Group 'trying to whitewash' Nutricia India marketing practices: BMA

29-Apr-2014 By Mark ASTLEY

Breastfeeding advocate Baby Milk Action (BMA) has accused the Danone Group of attempting to “whitewash” the activities of its Nutricia India business, which is facing allegations it approved illegal payments to doctors.

Treat out-of-date infant formula as ‘adulterated’, Congresswoman urges

13-Jun-2013 By Mark ASTLEY

Infant formula products that have passed their sell-by-date could soon be considered adulterated if a recently introduced bill – labelled a “no brainer” – can make through the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Prebiotic infant formula yields breast milk-like infant microbiota: Study

30-May-2013 By Shane STARLING

Infant formula infused with prebiotic oligofructose-enriched inulin results in an infant microbiota that is closer to that of breast milk fed infants during the first four months of life, a study has found.

Abbott Laboratories shareholders reject proposal to remove GMOs from infant formula

30-Apr-2013 By Mark ASTLEY

An Abbott Laboratories shareholder proposal to remove genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) from its natural products - including its Similac infant formula range - has been rejected, the company has revealed.