Human milk is the preferred source of nutrition for infants. In case exclusive breastfeeding is not possible, the provided infant formula (IF) must be safe and suitable to meet the nutritional requirements of infants, promoting healthy growth and development.
One distinct characteristic of lipids in human milk is that they are present as large globules (a volume-based mode diameter of 3–5 μm) surrounded by a complex triple-layered phospholipid native membrane. In contrast, the lipids in currently available standard infant formulas are present as droplets that are generally 10 times smaller and mostly contain proteins at the lipid-water interface without any membrane.
Danone Research & Innovation developed a unique IF via Nuturis® process containing large, milk phospholipid coated lipid droplets (mode diameter 3-5 μm) 1
A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial in Singapore, the VENUS study 2, investigates growth adequacy in Asian infants consuming a concept IF via Nuturis® process as the sole source of nutrition during their first four months of life as well as impact on gastrointestinal tolerance and adverse events. The study included three intervention groups with infants receiving: the concept developed with the Nuturis process, an infant formula with and one without prebiotics, as well as a breastfed reference group.
The study showed that the concept IF developed via Nuturis® process supports adequate growth, is well tolerated and no major safety concerns were revealed based on the number, severity, relatedness, or type of (serious) adverse events observed during the first four months within this study.
Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for infants up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding thereafter in conjunction with appropriate complementary feeding until 2 years of age or beyond. HM substitutes (i.e., infant formula) should provide a safe and nutritionally adequate alternative if (full) breastfeeding is not possible. Nutrient levels in formula should ideally be adequate for all infants, while recognizing that optimal levels may not be the same for all, depending on genetic, other biological, and environmental factors.
