ByHeart brings protein-enhanced infant formula “from scratch” to US market
24 Mar 2022 --- Baby nutrition company ByHeart is unveiling its infant formula “built from scratch” following modern advances in nutrition science and breast milk research.
The new formula is the first in the US to include a patented protein blend of lactoferrin and alpha-lactalbumin that is closest to breast milk, claims the company.
The company further distinguishes itself from mainstream infant formula titans, having earned the Clean Label Project Purity Award. The offering is also sourced from grass-fed, organic whole milk – as opposed to skim milk – and is free from corn syrup, maltodextrin, soy or palm oil.
ByHeart founders and siblings Ron Belldegrun and Mia Funt.Identifying protein’s power
The company flags the largest gap between breast milk and existing formula on the shelf is in the protein composition.
“Proteins in breast milk are highly functional, providing benefits beyond filling tummies. They are key to supporting a strong immune system, healthy gut microbiome and easy digestion,” according to ByHeart.
ByHeart’s latest launch includes both lactoferrin and breast milk levels of alpha-lactalbumin – the two most abundant proteins in breast milk. It also includes broken-down proteins and an 80:20 whey to casein ratio that most closely mirrors colostrum.
“To truly innovate to our standards, we couldn’t rely on existing clinical research as the industry has – for the most part – for decades,” says ByHeart CEO and co-founder Ron Belldegrun.
Proof is in the patent
The patented protein blend was tested in ByHeart’s clinical trial, the largest conducted by a new infant formula entrant in over 25 years, which showed “significant next-to-breast milk benefits.”
These included easier digestion, less spit-up and softer stools.
The trial was designed to meet and exceed the rigorous requirements set by the FDA and included a breastfed reference arm – a significant and elective addition to the study that demonstrated those benefits.
“We brought together experts in every facet of breast milk research, baby health and nutrition,” adds Belldegrun.
Following the trial, ByHeart was able to secure US$90 million in series B funding to bring its formula to market. The funds were in addition to a series A funding round that landed the company US$70 million in April 2020.
ByHeart controls every step of the supply chain “from farm to formula.”Setting a new standard?
ByHeart is notably the first new infant formula manufacturer in over 15 years to be registered with FDA, making it only the fourth vertically integrated infant formula brand in the US.
“Owning our manufacturing and R&D, having direct relationships with every single supplier and finally conducting our own clinical trial has allowed us to control every ingredient in the formula and to get it closer to the quality of breast milk,” Belldegrun adds.
ByHeart acquired and upgraded a manufacturing facility in Reading, Pennsylvania, US in 2019 that is certified kosher, grass-fed, organic and Safe Quality Food (SQF). It gives ByHeart the rare capability to accept fresh milk from local farms.
“We want parents to have full visibility into their babies’ nutrition from farm to formula and feel empowered in the feeding decisions they make,” underscores Mia Funt, co-founder of ByHeart.
Keeping the environment top of mind
ByHeart is also addressing waste in consumer packaged goods. The formula comes in the first all-metal container – including a metal cap – in infant formula.
The company notes that metal is infinitely recyclable, meaning that its quality is not degraded each time it is melted and remolded.
More efforts are being made to increase the recyclability in baby food packaging. Innova Market Insights notes that while plastic remains the top packaging material for baby and toddler foods, with 52% of NPD in 2021 being plastic, recyclability and climate-related claims are often featured on product labels.
By Missy Green
