Danone announces launch of infant formula featuring blend of dairy and plant protein

Danone has announced the launch of the first ever Dairy and Plants Blend baby formula, a ‘nutritionally complete’ formulation that combines the best of both dairy and plants.

Developed in response to parents’ desire for vegetarian and flexitarian options for their baby, the new baby formula is the first specifically created for a vegetarian diet, and is the first blended formula for healthy babies in which more than half the required protein is derived from soy.

In the Dairy & Plants Blend baby formula, 60 per cent of the protein is sourced from high-quality, non-GMO soy, and 40 per cent comes from the dairy ingredients, casein and whey protein. The new formula also contains the key dairy ingredient lactose – an important source of carbohydrates for babies, and an essential nutrient found in breastmilk.

With its mild taste of plants, the Dairy & Plants Blend formula is also intended to help familiarise babies and toddlers with plant flavours in a gentle way, which can help shape future food preferences.

“As a mother of four, I appreciate parents want the very best nutrition for their baby’s healthy growth and development,” Manuela Borella, Vice President, Global Plant Based Strategy & Business Acceleration, commented.

“At Danone, we also recognise many parents want to introduce plant-based, vegetarian and flexitarian options into their baby’s diet, while still meeting their baby’s specific nutritional requirements. Our new Dairy & Plants Blend baby formula has been developed with these needs top of mind.”

Compared to other powdered formulas, Danone said the Dairy & Plants Blend baby formula will have a carbon footprint approximately 30 per cent lower per pack,  thanks to the higher share of plant-based ingredients in the product and its fully-recyclable packaging.

Danone’s Dairy & Plants Blend formula is being launched first in the Netherlands under the Nutrilon brand, and in other countries later this year under the global Aptamil brand.