Landmark decision marks first-time approval of human milk
oligosaccharide molecules for infant formula in China
SHANGHAI, Oct. 9, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- IFF, a global leader in food, beverage, health,
biosciences and scent, today announced it is one of the first
ingredients suppliers to achieve regulatory approval (NHC No. 8,
2023) for the use of its 2′-fucosyllactose (2'-FL), human milk
oligosaccharide (HMO) in China for
infant formula, follow-up formula and formula for special medical
purposes for infants. The news is a significant milestone that
signifies IFF's position as a key supplier of this vital
constituent of human milk to the Chinese market.
HMOs—including 2'-FL, 3'-FL and others—have been gradually
appearing in the U.S. and European markets for several years now.
Their introduction to infant formula is propelled by numerous
studies conducted on human milk, as well as formula containing
2'-FL, which suggested such products showed pronounced immune
health benefits in infants.
China has the largest milk
formula segment worldwide, representing close to 50 percent of the
global market's total retail value.[1] Until today, HMO
molecules were not approved for use in infant formula in
China. The announcement of the
landmark decision means brand owners and infant formula producers
can now look to further support families across the Asia-Pacific region, and beyond.
"The infant formula industry has eagerly awaited the approval of
2'-FL in China, since it will
allow producers to formulate a new generation of products for the
early-life nutrition segment," said Marcus Gliwitzki, global
product manager, Health, IFF. "Today's decision will help us better
serve customers in all major markets and respond to the rising
global demand for infant nutrition products."
"We are thrilled to contribute to bringing infant formula closer
to human milk," said Klaas Illeghems, global strategic business
unit leader, INFAT®, HMO & Biosciences, Health, IFF.
"This is our first HMO ingredient for the Chinese market, and we
are committed to accelerate more of our high-quality HMOs to
customers soon."
This regulatory milestone marks the intersection of IFF's
extensive HMO research and innovation, commercialization, and
health benefit effects – via infant gut microbiome modulation –
closing an important gap between human milk and infant formula.
1 Euromonitor: Dairy Products and Alternatives:
Euromonitor from trade sources/national statistics.
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