Abbott provides organic plant-based formulas for tube feeding patients

23 Sep 2021 --- Abbott is launching a portfolio of plant-based proteins and organic food ingredients for the estimated 500,000 US consumers whose medical conditions require them to rely on tube feeding. 

According to a survey conducted by the Ohio-based company, 58% of registered dietitians and 72% of registered pediatric dietitians in the US want to recommend more nourishing food blend formulas for their patients. 

In response, Abbott is relaunching its PediaSure Harvest product and introducing Ensure Harvest, a new blend of real-food ingredients from sources such as mango, spinach, carrot, pumpkin and banana.

“We know that proper nutrition is a cornerstone of optimal health,” says Matt Beebe, divisional vice president and general manager at Abbott’s US Therapeutic Nutrition business. 

“Our Harvest products are made with organic fruits and vegetables that can serve as a sole source of nutrition and are packaged for the realities of life on the go, making mealtime more flexible, inclusive and convenient.”

PediaSure Harvest and Ensure Harvest.Plant-based for patients 
Increasing numbers of consumers are turning to plant-based or vegan diets over concerns regarding the impacts of meat and dairy consumption on human and environmental health. 

Innova Market Insights pegged “Plant Forward” as a top trend for 2021, noting a boom in demand for plant-based products in different regions of the world. The Innova Consumer Survey 2020 indicated that the top four reasons for considering plant-based alternatives were health, diet variety, sustainability and taste. 

Consumers and patients relying on tube feeding are no exception to this trend, according to Abbott. A host of medical conditions such as gastric disorders, oral or throat cancer, cystic fibrosis, certain neurological and swallowing disorders, and short-term eating difficulty following illness or surgical recovery force many consumers to feed through tubes. 

“Individuals and families of those using feeding tubes want nutritious feeding options,” says Steve Hertzler, a senior nutrition scientist at Abbott. “PediaSure and Ensure Harvest take the guesswork out of meal planning by providing complete nutrition for kids and adults made with plant-based ingredients and conveniently packaged in portable, reclosable containers.”

Catering to the young and old
PediaSure Harvest is generally aimed at children aged one to 13, while Ensure Harvest is for ages 14 and upward. Both formulas contain no artificial flavors or colors, are gluten-free and are made with no milk-containing ingredients. 

Each provides 25 essential vitamins and minerals and is a source of antioxidants, vitamins C, E and selenium. 

The plant-based protein is sourced from soy and organic rice. The formulas are suitable for oral feeding and bolus syringe, gravity syringe and pump-assisted tube feeding.

The launches follow recent developments by Abbott, including research highlighted by the company showing half of the people living with diabetes in the US are not consuming adequate levels of protein. 

Last year, the company also launched a reformulated version of its hydration product Pedialyte to cater to the immunity market. 

Edited 

By Louis Gore-Langton