The right science and technology for infant nutrition

TWO key trends are influencing the development of infant nutrition products today, according to Pieter Nuboer, vice president of Human Nutrition & Health Products, Asia Pacific for DSM Nutritional Products (DNP). These are a stronger awareness from parents that infancy is a critical window of opportunity to shape a child’s nutrition, and the mounting concern for functional nutrition and benefits to support child growth.

Pieter Nuboer, VP, Human Nutrition & Health Products, Asia Pacific for DSM Nutritional Products

“Mothers are giving birth at an older age and so they are more educated and aware of nutritional needs for babies,” says Nuboer. “They are also more willing to spend on science-based nutrition providing value.” He adds that mothers in Asia still wield a lot of influence over their children’s diets – though formats may appeal to the children expressing their preferences. They are looking for tailored nutrition as their children get older.

“Increasingly, liquid as a format is growing – especially for children over one,” says Nuboer. “Also natural, safe source, sugar-free, natural flavor, organic, etc., are increasing trends in many markets, especially in China and developed markets like Korea, Japan and Singapore.”

The popularity of organic baby food products is further backed by industry analysts who see a 24% yearly growth in this category. Based on the research report, “Branded Organic Baby Foods: New Development, Global Industry & Market Analysis”, published by Innovative Research and Products (iRAP), the global market for organic infant food is estimated to attain US$760 million in sales and is projected to reach more than US$2 billion in the future.

Another trend on the rise is the use of green packaging as more companies are working with sustainable and recyclable materials as substitutes to their standard packaging.

Demand drivers and challenges

The rising number of working mothers who stay long hours at work contributes to growth in the industry. This, plus continuing urbanization, more spending power per baby in developed countries, and an increasing disposable income, are market forces.

In the sector where DSM operates, Nuboer states that one of the reasons fueling demand for their products are customers who are looking for safe, reliable and scientifically proven nutrients to ensure that their brands provide best–in-class nutrition and peace of mind in a highly sensitive category.

But there are hindrances to market growth as well. One is declining birth rates where unemployment is high. In developed countries, couples affected by declining economies opt to delay having a baby. Another is the risk of allergies or autoimmune diseases, and psychological restraints about the adoption of packaged baby food.

According to Nuboer the pace of innovation speed is impacted by strict regulations for infant nutrition and slows updates to reflect the latest science. “But we ensure that we have the scientific evidence to support the claims that manufacturers would like to make to grow their brands – it is part of our DNA.”

The window of opportunity to influence a child’s nutritional outcomes begins in pregnancy and goes well beyond into the preschool and schooling ages (Photo: DSM)

Driving the science and nutritional solutions

As a major infant nutrition supplier, DSM partners with manufacturers in the industry in providing nutrients and ensuring that their brands give top-quality nutrition.  

“DSM’s mission is to positively impact health and development in early life by driving the science, developing, co-creating and implementing nutritional solutions in the first 1,000 days between the onset of a woman’s pregnancy and her child’s second birthday,” says Nuboer. “Human milk represents the nutritional gold standard for infant nutrition and it is essential that mothers, infants and young children receive the necessary nutrients at appropriate levels to help set them on a path to a long, healthy life.”

To deliver on this mission, the company supplies nutritional lipids, lutein, premixes, vitamins, and even offer R&D resources to clients.

“We are the world’s largest supplier of DHA & ARA for infant nutrition,” states Nuboer. “Our patent portfolio for microbial DHA/EPA and fish oil includes more than 580 patents and pending applications worldwide.” He further highlights DSM’s pure, sustainable and vegetarian plant-based DHA which is straight from the source where fish get their DHA.

“With our nutrition technology, which began with NASA’s space research, DSM’s comprehensive portfolio enables incorporation into a variety of F&B and DSH applications with over 500 finished products worldwide,” he says. “Over 100 clinical trials were conducted using DSM’s life’sDHA, and that 99% of infant formula in the US is fortified with it.”

Nuboer also emphasizes other examples of ingredients they offer to manufacturers engaged in infant nutrition, such as:

- FloraGLO® Lutein is the most clinically researched source of Lutein. Lutein is the most prevalent carotenoid in mother’s milk. Science suggests that it supports eye and brain development.

- Fortitech Premixes are precisely customized blends of desired functional ingredients including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, nucleotides, nutraceuticals and botanicals, in one single, efficient, homogeneous premix (source over 1,400 nutrients)

- A full portfolio of vitamins under the “Quali-” brand covers all applications and uses and with a full documentation, plus extensive regulatory, technical and marketing support.

“Going beyond blending, we offer advanced R&D resources, expanded access to ingredients and consumer trends to help uncover insights and streamline product development. Our Premixes meet cGMP, GMO-free, HACCP, Organic, Kosher and Halal standards and being certified FS 22000 globally. We utilize the highest standards of ingredient testing protocol and internal verification – ensuring that every batch meets your precise specifications, every time.”

Continuing work for better infant nutrition

“Since DSM is science-focused and is a world leader in specific areas like cognition, there is work going on, for example, to improve the forms of lipids associated with cognitive benefits and outcomes,” shares Nuboer.

He says the company aims to continue supplying quality ingredients on a sustainable basis, which is why DSM is also investing in forms such as algal forms of DHA and omega-3.

“We are working with several partners to expand our portfolio in a relevant way to serve mothers and physicians who expect more – and we work to ensure that these ingredients can be added in a safe and cost saving manner through premixes,” he adds.

Emerging approach to affect child’s health

“At DSM, we support and believe that breastfeeding is best and should be practiced for as long as possible, and we will continue to develop new science and technologies for this segment, he says. “However, the window of opportunity to influence a child’s nutritional outcomes begins in pregnancy and goes well beyond into the preschool and schooling ages.  For this reason we focus on maternal (pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and lactation) nutrition for the mother through whom baby gets the best nutrition.”

Nuboer concludes, “We believe this is an approach that is still nascent, and needs to be developed with the right science.  At the other end, milk and other dairy products continue to be very important for children and as such more focus needs to be placed on the science to be developed for these specific age groups.” - Jonel Guittap