Arla Foods Ingredients’ hydrolyzed whey protein supports healthy infant growth

Clinical research reveals that infant formula with Arla Foods Ingredients’ Lacprodan IF-3070 supports healthy growth similar to that of breastfed babies. The partially hydrolyzed whey protein ingredient is designed to support gastrointestinal comfort in healthy infants. 

The triple-blind, randomized clinical study compared infant formula with intact protein only to a combination of intact protein and Lacprodan IF-3070 and breastfed babies during their first six months of life. 

“Healthy growth is one of the main benefits influencing infant formula purchases and a particular focus in the Chinese market,” says Lotte Neergaard Jacobsen, chief scientist in Early Life Nutrition at Arla Foods Ingredients.

“We have decades of experience in developing high-quality milk protein hydrolysates for infant formulas. We invest heavily in research to ensure the safety and high standards of our ingredients, and we’re delighted that the first clinical study on Lacprodan IF-3070 has confirmed that it supports healthy growth.”

Healthy infant growth

The clinical study involved 251 newborns under 14 days old, recruited from six Chinese hospitals. During six months, they received either a standard formula based on intact protein or one containing intact protein and around 40% of Lacprodan IF-3070. The study included breastfed infants as a control group.

After the six-month intervention period, the researchers found a 0.4 g per day difference between the Lacprodan IF-3070 group and breastfed infants, while the difference between the standard formula and breastfed groups was 1.1 g per day.

As such, the paper in Nutrients concludes that growth trajectories of infants receiving Lacprodan IF-3070 were comparable to those who were breastfed. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/5/770

Healthy growth and immunity are both key priorities for parents, concluded Arla Foods Ingredients after a 2025 survey of 6,800 pregnant women and mothers from 13 countries.

The ingredient was also well tolerated during babies’ first six months of life. The team found no significant difference in the prevalence of adverse events between the Lacprodan IF-3070 and breastfed groups. The researchers checked for gastrointestinal disorders, such as vomiting or refusal, respiratory diseases like coughs, and general disorders, such as fevers.

In comparison, the standard formula group had a significantly higher prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders than the breastfed group.

The study was conducted at Peking University, China, together with the Junlebao Dairy Group — one of the largest dairy processors in China.

Milk protein hydrolysates

Arla Foods Ingredients details that milk protein hydrolysates have been widely used in infant nutrition since their introduction in the 1940s due to their benefits in allergy management and the reduction of digestive discomfort.

Lacprodan IF-3070 can be used in China and was approved for use in US infant formula in 2024 by the country’s FDA.

Meanwhile, Arla Foods Ingredients’ senior director of Performance Nutrition, Peter Schouw Anderson, recently told Nutrition Insight that hydrolyzed whey proteins are “pre-digested” proteins, which produce smaller peptides that are quickly absorbed. These hydrolyzed proteins have the same effect on the body as their complete versions.

“With a hydrolysate, you get faster digestion of the protein, and that’s moved into the health space,” he detailed. “But hydrolysates also give different functionality — they give the opportunity to use them in different applications.”