Arla Foods Ingredients has launched a infant formula optimized for gastrointestinal comfort

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Compared to human milk, infant formulas have a much higher protein content, causing gastrointestinal discomfort in infants. An infant formula containing alpha-lactalbumin and whey protein hydrolysates would be ideal solution to minimize gastrointestinal discomfort commonly associated with infant formulas, says Arla Foods Ingredients (Viby, Denmark).

Both high quality proteins, alpha-lactalbumin is the most abundant protein in human milk rich in amino acids, and whey protein hydrolysates are pre-digested, having already been broken down by enzymes, making them both ideal for low-protein infant formulas that would reduce the risk of gastrointestinal discomfort. Discomfort in infants is the most common reason parents switch formulas, says Arla, and according to Innova Market Insights, global launches of infant formulas that have on-pack comfort messaging have risen by a CAGR of 11.6% over the past five years.

The firm’s concept for a low-protein infant formula optimized for comfort incorporates its branded Lacprodan ALPHA-10, a whey protein concentrate with a minimum level of 41% alpha-lactalbumin as a proportion of total protein content, and Lacprodan IF-3070, a partially hydrolysed whey protein (DH 9-15) with a mixture of small and larger peptides.