Nestlé launches HMO-enriched infant formula in China for gut and immune support

27 Nov 2023 --- Nestlé has unveiled its growing-up milk solution enriched with human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) to be sold under the Wyeth Illuma brand in mainland China. The introduction comes following approval by China’s National Health Commission for the use of this type of bioactives.

“HMOs help protect the developing immune system and protect infants through establishing a protective gut microbiota, blocking pathogens and strengthening the gut barrier. The sialic acid provided by HMOs also plays an important role in brain development,” a Nestlé spokesperson tells Nutrition Insight.

“Chinese parents are aware of and highly interested in HMOs, as these represent the latest breakthrough in early childhood nutrition science. Following registration, Wyeth Illuma is the first HMO-based brand from a multinational company to be announced for launch.”

HMOs are identified by Nestlé as the third most abundant solid component in human breast milk.Health benefits
HMOs are identified as the third most abundant solid component in human breast milk.

“Human breast milk contains three major types of these structurally complex carbohydrates. The Wyeth Illuma product contains 2’Fucosyllactose and Lacto-N-(neo)tetraose, which account for two of the three major types of HMOs and also structurally identical to those found in human milk,” the spokesperson continues.

These HMOs stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria that strengthen the gut barrier function, ultimately reducing the ability of viruses and pathogens to initiate an infection. The sialic acid provided by HMOs is highlighted as important for brain development.

“Breastmilk is very diverse with many different types of HMOs, as well as other nutrients and bioactives that contribute to a diversity of benefits for the infant,” says the Nestlé spokesperson.

Research and development
Nestlé highlights its commitment to leveraging innovation and research in early-life nutrition.

“We continue to invest in research activities in partnership with research institutes and universities worldwide to strengthen the understanding of human breast milk.”

The company adds that this work helps advance the scientific field and informs the continuous development of science-based concepts for infants: “For over 30 years, Nestlé has been at the forefront of understanding the composition of human breast milk and the vital role that HMOs and other nutrients and bioactives play in supporting growth and development during early life.”

“The science on which Wyeth Illuma is based is an example of how this knowledge has helped contribute to healthy growth and development in early childhood.”

“Another example is our latest launch of Sinergity, a proprietary blend that combines a specific probiotic with six HMOs to support age-adapted infant development by unlocking specific health benefits.”

Nestlé states that HMOs protect infants by establishing a protective gut microbiota, blocking pathogens.Chinese market launch
The Wyeth Illuma brand has been available to Chinese consumers since 2011, albeit excluding the newly introduced HMOs.

“It was the very first brand to introduce Oleic-Palmitic-Oleic in China, a lipid blend found to be more present in the breast milk of Chinese mothers. It is important for mothers and caregivers of young children in China that the most advanced nutrition solutions be made available to them,” the spokesperson continues.

The manufacturing of this product takes place at Nestlé’s Suzhou factory in mainland China, making the company a key provider of HMO-based early childhood nutrition solutions in the country.

Last year, a Nestlé research team brought forward a newly discovered bacteria present in the gut during the transition from infancy to early childhood, highlighted as decisive in the development of early-life nutrition.

Meanwhile, Nestlé closed one of its manufacturing plants producing infant formula for the Chinese market amid a dwindling national population.

By Milana Nikolova

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