Danone is launching a new infant formula composed of a blend of dairy and vegetable ingredients.

The global food and beverage company explained that the product was developed “in response to parents’ desire for feeding options suitable for vegetarian, flexitarian and plant-based diets”.

Danone said it was the industry’s first blended infant formula in which more than half of the protein came from plants.

The French company noted that the plant protein comes from high-quality, non-GMO (genetically modified organism) soy protein, as well as a variety of other plant-based ingredients such as sunflower; coconut; and rapeseed oils.

The remaining 40% dairy protein will include casein and whey protein from cow’s milk, as well as other dairy ingredients, such as lactose.

“Switching to plant-rich diets and adopting alternative sources of protein can help reduce carbon emissions.

“Danone believes that by relying on more plant-based ingredients, in addition to using recyclable packaging and supporting regenerative farming methods, we can have a significant impact on reducing our footprint. carbon from our products,” the company said.

Danone also pointed out that research has shown that a quarter of households are introducing plant-based alternatives for children aged one to two.

The new ‘Dairy & Plants Blend’ formula will first be launched in the Netherlands – under the ‘Nutrillon’ brand, as infant formula, follow-on formula and toddler formula.

There are then plans to roll out the formula later in 2022 in other countries under the global label “Aptamil”.

The company, which reiterated that breastfeeding is the best choice for babies, recorded global sales of 6,236 million euros in the first three months of 2022.