China’s CSFA approves dsm-firmenich’s and IFF’s HMOs for its expansive infant nutrition market

10 Oct 2023 --- Health and nutrition innovator dsm-firmenich, has achieved a significant milestone in the field of early life nutrition with the approval of two of its human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) ingredients as infant nutrition fortifiers in China. At the same time, International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) has also received approval for one of its HMO ingredients.

The approvals open new avenues for innovation and allows Chinese infants and young children to benefit from the unique advantages of HMOs.

“We’ve been on this journey for probably three years, in terms of getting relatively approval and we’re very proud that dsm-firmenich is the first company to gain entrance to the Chinese market, and now has both 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL) and lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) approved in China, and ready for use within infant formula,” James Young, the vice president of early life nutrition at dsm-firmenich tells Nutrition Insight.

“This is a major milestone for not just our company, but actually for the industry as a whole,” he reveals.

dsm-firmenich says this latest approval for its GlyCare 2’-FL and GlyCare LNnT is the result of three years of work.Two of dsm-firmenich’s HMO brands, GlyCare 2’-FL and GlyCare LNnT, are now a part of the only approved HMO ingredients in the Chinese market. These HMOs play a vital role in human breast milk and offer various health benefits, making them a valuable addition to infant nutrition.

IFF’s 2’-FL HMO ingredient also received approval for production in the country’s vast infant formula market.

“The infant formula industry has eagerly awaited the approval of 2’-FL in China, since it will allow producers to formulate a new generation of products for the early-life nutrition segment,” says Marcus Gliwitzki, global product manager, health, at IFF. 

“Today’s decision will help us better serve customers in all major markets and respond to the rising global demand for infant nutrition products.”

Game-changing ingredients
HMOs have gained prominence in the health and nutrition industry due to technological advancements and robust scientific evidence highlighting their potential advantages and applications.

As a critical component of breast milk, HMOs have been shown to support infant health by bolstering the immune system, promoting gut health, and possibly aiding cognitive development. To determine the approved maximum usage level, the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) considered global data on HMO concentrations in human breast milk.

GlyCare 2’-FL has gained approval for use in four food categories in China, including infant formula, formula for older infants and young children, infant formula for special medical purposes and formulated milk powder.

The recommended usage level for 2’-FL ranges from 0.7-2.4 g/L. Similarly, LNnT has been approved for the same applications with a usage level between 0.2-0.6 g/L.

“We firmly believe that HMOs are an extremely important part of infant formula and the nutritional capabilities available for infants,” Young emphasizes. “We believe that Chinese babies are no different to any other baby in the world and it is important that they have access to HMOs as well, so we’re really pleased that we’ve been able to reach that milestone.”IFF reveals that the authorization gives it access to an infant formula market that makes up nearly half of the global retail value.

Broadening the field
IFF highlights that China’s immense milk formula market, which the company says represents nearly half of the global market’s retail value, now has access to HMO-enhanced formulas — bridging the gap between human milk and infant formula.

IFF also secured regulatory approval in China for the use of its 2’-FL HMO in infant formula, follow-up formula and formula for special medical purposes for infants. The company says the milestone highlights its significance as a key HMO supplier in the Chinese market, providing a vital component of human milk that has gained recognition for its immune health benefits in infants.

“We are thrilled to contribute to bringing infant formula closer to human milk,” says Klaas Illeghems, global strategic business unit leader, INFAT, HMO & Biosciences, Health, at IFF. “This is our first HMO ingredient for the Chinese market, and we are committed to accelerate more of our high-quality HMOs to customers soon.”

Pioneering HMO R&D
dsm-firmenich says it has established itself as a leader in HMO research, development and production.

Its GlyCare HMO portfolio, backed by scientific research, is already available in more than 160 countries worldwide.

The company says that this latest approval in China underscores its commitment to advancing early life nutrition and expanding the use of HMOs in dietary supplements. 

As HMOs continue to gain recognition for their health benefits, dsm-firmenich’s innovations in the field are poised to play a crucial role in improving infant health and nutrition.

By William Bradford Nichols