Danone fortifies Dumex Dugro formula with essential nutrients to tackle malnutrition in Malaysian toddlers

14 Sep 2020 --- In a bid to curb rising iron deficiency and anemia levels in Malaysian children, Danone has fortified its Dugro Growing Up Milk formula for children aged one to three with iron, essential nutrients and vitamins.

The new Dugro NextGenNUTRI formula contains 51.2 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) per 100 g, as well as iron, vitamins A, C, D and E, calcium, inulin fiber and lactose.

It offers Malaysian consumers “the latest innovations in product science,” Danish Rahman, general manager of specialized nutrition for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, tells NutritionInsight.

“The main challenge was balancing improvement in formulae while maintaining the taste that Malaysian growing children love. Through technological advances, the integrity of the taste was achieved while improving the nutritional composition of the formula,” Rahman adds.

The Dugro range will be available in Malaysia and Brunei.

Research motivates product reformulation
As unemployment and food insecurity rise due to the impacts of COVID-19, Danone notes that loss of income or poverty will further impact nutrition habits, increasing the risk of micronutrient deficiencies, particularly in iron.

Dugro has been purchased in Malaysia over three million times, according to a 2019 survey of 2,500 shoppers in Peninsular Malaysia.According to a study published in Nutrition Research and Practice, low socioeconomic status, as indicated by low household income, could limit Malaysian children’s access to adequate diets, particularly for older children. 

This is particularly crucial as income inequality in Malaysia remains high relative to other East Asian countries. However, it is gradually declining, according to research published by the World Bank in April. 

Malaysia’s near-term economic outlook is predicted to be more dependent than usual on government measures to sustain private sector activity as the shock of COVID-19 reduces export-led growth.

A NutritionInsight report from last year also detailed that Malaysia faces a double burden of malnutrition, with rising rates of obesity, non-communicable diseases and key indicators of undernutrition. 

“As the manufacturer of Dugro in Malaysia, we have a key role to play to ensure our products are nutritious. We continually invest in R&D to improve our products’ nutritional profile so we can offer solutions that best meet [Malaysian children’s] needs,” explains Rahman.

Regional market value
With 61 percent of global value and 52 percent of volume, Asia is the dominant region in the global retail market for baby formula and milk. 

According to Innova Market Insights data, China and Southeast Asia are pushing Asian growth in the global infant nutrition market. China is currently the world’s largest market, followed by Indonesia. 

Growth in Baby Formula/Milk launches versus sales value for top countries in Asia (2017-2019), according to Innova Market Insights data.From 2014 to 2018, baby formula/milk NPD in Asia increased at 5.2 percent CAGR, while value and volume growth averaged 14.5 percent and 10.3 percent, respectively. The top five countries for baby formula/milk launches in Asia between 2016 and 2018 were China, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand. 

In terms of baby food NPD, Innova Market Insights details that Malaysia and Singapore recorded high growth percentages over the last two years as the product launches grow from a low base value. 

Danone has a major presence in both formula and foods. The company registered total sales of €25.3 billion (US$30 billion) in 2019. The FMCG’s specialized nutrition arm accounted for 30 percent of this, or €7.6 billion (US$9 billion).

One Planet. One Health
The Dugro toddler milk reformulation aligns with Danone’s “One Planet. One Health” agenda in Malaysia. Other national initiatives to support Malaysian families include: 

• Scaling up iron deficiency anemia screenings nationwide and raising awareness about micronutrient deficiencies among parents and pediatricians.
• Providing resources and expertise to test non-invasive devices to measure iron levels without having to draw blood.
• Continuous engagement with leading healthcare professionals and researchers, NGOs and the Malaysian Welfare Department to assess needs for Danone to provide support where and when needed.

“Danone will continue to actively participate in the public health priority to address iron deficiency anemia in children in Malaysia in the years to come,” Rahman concludes.

By Anni Schleicher