Infant Nutrition

Codex sets global standards for child formula: Industry body calls for EU adoption

15-Feb-2024 By Nikki Hancocks

Specialised Nutrition Europe (SNE) has welcomed the Codex publication of global rules for young child formula and is demanding a timely adoption by the European Union.

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...

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.

Chr. Hansen review outlines HMO health benefits

22-Sep-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

In a new systematic review, Chr. Hansen scientists have compiled data from 26 clinical studies on HMOs, concluding there is a wealth of evidence that these are well-tolerated modulators of the gut microbiome providing health benefits.

WHO AI tool to clampdown on infant formula marketing

20-Sep-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Europe is calling on consumers to use its newly developed artificial intelligence (AI) tool in order to clampdown and regulate the promotion of harmful products targeted at children.

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.

Gnosis by Lesaffre spotlights study showing SAMe benefits for infant health

01-Jun-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Metabolomic research suggests that the compound S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) may play a more critical role in infant development than previously thought while offering encouraging support for supplemental use in new mothers.

'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...

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.

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...

Study outlines gastro-intestinal benefits of 'comfort' formula

01-Oct-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

An industry funded observational study of 196 infants has concluded an infant formula containing prebiotic and probiotic ingredients can decrease symptoms of gastro-intestinal disorders within three days.

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.

NutraCast: Greg Leyer, PhD, on probiotics for vulnerable populations

13-Aug-2021 By Danielle Masterson

The number of preemies receiving probiotics in the US and Canada is increasing steadily, but skeptics say there is potential for harm in this vulnerable population. Greg Leyer, PhD, the Senior Director of Scientific Affairs, at Chr. Hansen says if done...

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.

NutraWomen Wednesday: Leila Strickland, PhD, Biomilq

28-Jul-2021 By Danielle Masterson

Biomilq is a women-owned infant nutrition company that is producing cultured breastmilk in a lab. The company’s co-founder and CSO, Leila Strickland, PhD, sat down to discuss the inspiration behind this new kind of infant formula.

Infant gut microbiota associated with fine motor skills

21-May-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

The microbial landscape of a child's gut may impact their fine motor skills, representing a potential opportunity for probiotic interventions relevant to treatment for motor disorders, according to a new study.

Probiotics and infant eczema: Maternal supplementation of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium appears beneficial – meta-analysis

12-May-2021 By Tingmin Koe

The supplementation of both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium during pregnancy could reduce the risk of eczema developing in infants, results from a meta-analysis have shown.

Study shows maternal vitamin D linked to child IQ, finds disparities among black women

03-Nov-2020 By Danielle Masterson

A new study found that a mother’s vitamin D level during pregnancy is associated with their children's IQ — suggesting that higher vitamin D levels in pregnancy may lead to greater childhood IQ scores. The study also revealed significantly lower...

Reports urges a cultural shift to boost gut health and first 1,000 days of life

17-Jul-2020 By Will Chu

A report believes the reduction of chronic digestive disease risk and improvements to gut microbiome health can be achieved by changing behaviours and attitudes towards food consumption and production.

New probiotic approvals: China adds three probiotic strains into new food raw material list

22-Jun-2020 By Tingmin Koe

China has approved three new probiotics strains and the plant oriental penthorum as novel food ingredients.

‘Cynicism and disappointment’: Infant nutrition brands face credibility challenge after latest China scandal

27-May-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Both local Chinese and foreign infant nutrition brands in China are urged to “push hard on safety cues and messages” in light of the recent infant nutrition scandal happening in the country, according to an industry expert.

Developer promotes colostrum as weapon in immune arsenal

14-May-2020 By Danielle Masterson

With the focus now on immune health more than ever before, many consumers are exploring all their options.

DSM reveals vegetarian omega powders for infant nutrition

30-Apr-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Global nutrition giant Royal DSM, has launched microbial DHASCO-B and ARASCO powders, offering sustainable and vegetarian sources of DHA omega-3 and ARA omega-6 for infant nutrition.

NIU’s Global Round-up: Ireland updates CBD recall list, Evolve BioSystems to conduct research in Asia, and more

02-Mar-2020 By Stephen Daniells

What’s happened across the Nutra-verse over the past seven days? Stay on top of things with our weekly round-up of key news from across the globe.

NIU’s Global Round-up: Algal DHA approval in the EU, key trends for APAC, and more

30-Sep-2019 By Stephen Daniells

What's happened this week around the Nutra-Verse? Stay on top of things with our weekly round-up of key news from across the globe.

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.

Editor's Spotlight

What do parents want? Baby food start-up Little Spoon boosts product portfolio with Boosters

14-Aug-2019 By Adi Menayang

In its quest to cater to a new generation of parents, New York-based Little Spoon launched a new line of nutrition Boosters—powder supplements to sprinkle into baby food.

Nutrition Asia

WATCH: Maternal and infant health – what can probiotics offer?

26-Jul-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Asia-Pacific is driving the growth of the global probiotics market, and two of the most in-demand areas are for infant and maternal health.

Pharmavite review supports choline, DHA role in infant brain and eye health

10-Jul-2019 By Adi Menayang

Insufficient intakes of choline and the omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may have lifelong deleterious impacts on maternal and infant health, according to a paper by researchers from Pharmavite LLC, the company behind Nature’s Made supplements.

Bill Gates-backed probiotic firm Evolve BioSystems makes APAC debut with Singapore, Hong Kong launch

20-May-2019 By Cheryl Tay

US-based microbiome firm Evolve BioSystems have entered the APAC market with its flagship consumer probiotic for newborns, Evivo, which has launched in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Vitafoods Asia 2018

HMOs a goldmine of human health applications beyond infant formula: DuPont expert

12-Sep-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) have extensive potential to offer a range of health benefits in products beyond infant formula, DuPont's global business director for HMOs, Steen Lyck, said at Vitafoods Asia on Tuesday.

Prenatal omega-3 intake and offspring allergies: Longer-term follow-ups needed after trial shows limited impact

06-Aug-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Prenatal omega-3 supplementation has been found ineffective on the risk and progression of allergies in young children, say researchers in Australia.

Notes from Nutrition 2018 in Boston

Study links vitamin A levels to infant growth

13-Jun-2018 By Adi Menayang

A study presented at the Nutrition 2018 conference in Boston suggests that adequate vitamin A levels may support infant growth—and that one Midwestern city may have a vitamin A ‘public health problem.’

Infant formula playing a role in adult disease?

19-May-2004

New research appears to lend weight to the theory that rapid growth
in infancy, boosted by enriched infant formulas, might increase the
risk of heart disease and stroke later in life, say UK-based
scientists.