Infant formula innovation: Lallemand touts probiotic strains as Nestlé unveils nutrient blend study

14 Sep 2022 --- Lallemand Health Solutions’ two bacterial strains, L. helveticus Rosell-52 and B. bifidum Rosell-71, may support the development of beneficial gut microflora in infants and Health Canada has determined that they are safe to use in infant formula. Additionally, Nestlé has unveiled new findings on infant formula blends, emphasizing the efficacy of myelination levels.

“For infants that are not breastfed, commercial probiotics in infant formula or supplements can provide the necessary bacteria required to help develop their immune system in a similar way as a breastfed infant, providing an equitable start to life,” Solange Henoud, VP at regulatory and compliance for Lallemand Health Nutrition, tells NutritionInsight.

Lallemand highlights this as the “first time a health authority recognizes probiotic strains” for this purpose, noting that the two strains “help maintain a baby-like microflora in infants (for formula-fed infants), and to balance formula-fed baby’s microflora similar to breastfed infants.”

“The science and work carefully achieved during the past years assessing the safety and beneficial impact of these strains on a baby-specific microflora continue to receive official acknowledgments. This is a huge step in demonstrating that our probiotics can contribute to supporting normal gut and immune maturation in early life,” Henoud adds.

Probiotics, breastmilk and microbiomeBoth companies stress innovation in alternatives as crucial for infants not able to breastfeed.
Nestlé has also unveiled scientific findings for infant formula ingredients. While stressing breastmilk to be the ideal nutrition for babies and supporting the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, Nestlé underscores the importance of alternatives for infants unable to breastfeed. 

“Breast milk contains important nutrients and bioactives relevant to brain development. With this new research, we have discovered a nutrient blend that can provide infants that cannot be breastfed with an alternative to support myelination”, says Ryan Carvalho, global head of R&D and chief medical officer at Nestlé Nutrition.

“When looking at two groups of babies, one breastfed, one formula-fed, there will be noticeable differences in the gut microbial composition. The microbiome of formula-fed babies shifts toward an ‘adult-like’ microbiota at a quicker rate, with higher overall bacterial diversity. In addition, in exclusively formula-fed babies, a greater prevalence of E. coli, C. difficile, B. fragilis and Lactobacilli species have been observed to colonize the gut,” Henoud adds.

The two strains have previously been recognized as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe).

Henoud adds that the US Food and Drug Administration previously endorsed the usage of these specific strains in infants’ formula is GRAS.

“An achievement that was followed by several other health authorities, under different jurisdictions, such as the listing by the Chinese authorities and Canadian Food Directorate as a new infant formula ingredient – needless to say that these lists are very narrow and only few specific strains are permitted for such use.” 

Industry moving forward
Henoud highlights the industry’s interest in developing nutritious infant formulas with “exclusive ingredients” that meet the requirements. 

“Given the limited numbers of recognized strains suitable for infant formula, probiotics can be a powerful differentiating feature. As the industry and parents increasingly understand the role of the microbiota in early life to promote a timely gut and immune maturation, the shift will happen.”

Nestlé recently said it would stop global marketing for infant formulas up to six months of age to follow the advice of the WHO. 

By Beatrice Wihlander

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