Garden of Life targets infant digestion, immunity and cognition in latest clean label supplement launch

05 Feb 2021 --- Garden of Life has launched a line of six supplements for US babies, targeting aspects of health from digestion and immunity to cognition. Each offering comes with a syringe to add the supplement to various liquids and foods.

“With the year we just had, the focus on health and immune support is higher than ever for every member of the family – especially the little ones,” says Garden of Life’s president, Brian Ray.

“Garden of Life delivers peace of mind for parents with products sourced from clean, organic foods, while also keeping out ingredients that are bad for babies, including artificial colors, synthetic dyes, pesticides, GMOs, artificial sweeteners, added sugars and common allergens.”

These offerings all tap into the burgeoning clean label trend, which has impacted virtually every sector within the nutrition industry. 

Innova Market Insights reports that Baby and Toddlers was the leading market category for clean label claims in 2019, with 11 percent of launches featuring these positionings. 

Targeting immunity via the gut
The probiotic offering features Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and targets colic, gas and upset stomachs. The brand says it can help babies over six months build a strong digestive and immune system, which is a major trend in infant nutrition. 

Last June, DSM’s L. rhamnosus GG was the subject of a clinical trial in households exposed to COVID-19. The researchers had hypothesized that the probiotic might reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severity of COVID-19 disease in household contacts and caregivers of known coronavirus patients.

The new range also includes gripe water. The organic herbal remedy, with a blend of chamomile, fennel, lemon balm and ginger extracts, safely and effectively helps ease occasional stomach discomfort and gas often associated with colic, fussiness and hiccups.These clean label offerings are part of a larger trend, both within infant nutrition and beyond.

Algae-based DHA
Garden of Life baby Plant DHA delivers 600 mg of omega 3 DHA in triglyceride form. It is made from non-GMO algae and is suitable for babies over 5 lb.

The brand emphasizes that babies need DHA for healthy brain, eye and nervous system development. 

A 2019 study also found that daily supplementation of 600 mg of DHA omega 3 fatty acid during pregnancy can help prevent the development of high blood pressure in obese or overweight offspring in early childhood.

DSM has been active in this space, unveiling a novel plant-based and high-quality DHA oil last year. The company also offers DHA microbial powders for infant nutrition. 

A range of vitamins
Garden of Life has also released vitamin C and vitamin D3 offerings for toddlers aged 1-3 years. 

The vitamin C is made from organic amla berries and is positioned as supporting immune health, iron absorption and production of connective tissue.

Meanwhile, the vitamin D3 supplement is made from “certified real food.” The brand says the liquid is a “great way to ensure your baby gets enough support essential for growing bones, teeth and a healthy immune system.”

Garden of Life also offers a multivitamin liquid, which it says can help fill important nutrition gaps. The supplement contains 13 essential vitamins and minerals.

Edited by Katherine Durrell