Chr. Hansen lands HMO approval in Australia and New Zealand
14 Jun 2022 --- Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has approved Chr. Hansen’s 2’-FL human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) for infant formula, paving the way for the company’s growing presence in the new markets.
“This approval of HMO 2’-FL makes it possible for infant formula brands to include the 2’-FL in infant formula products for consumers in Australia and New Zealand, and of course for consumers in the region buying infant formula with HMOs online from these markets,” Helle Rexen, press officer at Chr. Hansen, tells NutritionInsight.
The move follows a string of approvals the HMO has received. 2’-FL was the first HMO recognized as safe by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and now by FSANZ.
“As one of the leading suppliers of HMOs, we are pleased to have our 2’-FL HMO ingredient officially approved by national authorities. In these attractive markets we can now support our customers in supplying leading infant formula products that are closer to breast milk,” says Jesper Sig Mathiasen, senior vice president, Chr. Hansen HMO.
HMO 2’-FL makes up 20-30% of the total HMO composition in breast milk.An abundance of research
According to the National Institutes of Health, HMOs, particularly 2’- FL, are essential factors in infant nutrition and growth. HMOs are the most significant part of human breast milk, and 2’FL is the most abundant part of those HMOs.
Discovered in 1954, 2’-FL has been widely researched and was the first HMO to be commercially produced.
“HMOs are complex carbohydrates from breast milk that can support healthy development during the first months of life. Adding HMOs into the infant formula is bringing it closer to breast milk. The HMO 2'-FL is not digested in the infant‘s gut, making it available as food for good bacteria in the large intestine, functioning as a prebiotic fiber,” Rexen explains.
“Research shows that parts of 2'-FL are absorbed and may have direct effects in the body. The 2’-FL now approved is the most abundant oligosaccharide in breast milk, and the most studied HMO to date,” she adds.
In April, Chr. Hansen published its own study on the prevalence of HMO’s in breast milk, highlighting high concentrations of HMOs can still be safe and well-tolerated by infants,
Promoting infant health
The health benefits of 2’-FL include promoting brain development, strengthening of the immune system and regulation of infant gut microbiomes. 2’-FL has also been found to decrease the incidences of gastroenteritis and otitis media in infants.
“We further aim to support the healthy development of infants that cannot be breastfed by providing HMOs as an ingredient for infant formula,” explains Dr. Katja Parschat, head of R&D at Chr. Hansen HMO.
Earlier this year Chr. Hansen reported growth in its Human Health business, in which the HMO products played a large part. Health and nutrition sales increased 16% over the previous year and accounted for 35% of the overall 10% revenue increase.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding for all infants up to the age of 12 months. Breastfeeding has been linked to reduction in the incidence of Type 2 diabetes. The WHO has also stated that breastfeeding can directly impact anemia, malnutrition and obesity.
By William Bradford Nichols
