FrieslandCampina Ingredients Achieves Regulatory Milestone with Aequival 2’-FL Approval for Infant Nutrition in Thailand

Previously authorized for 'flavored milk drinks' for children aged three and above, Aequival 2’-FL can now be incorporated into products designed for infants and younger children, expanding the reach of the company's human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) ingredient across the entire early life nutrition category in the country. FrieslandCampina Ingredients now stands as the sole provider of both HMOs and GOS (galacto-oligosaccharides) in Thailand, offering potential complementary health benefits when used together.

This regulatory approval opens doors for brand owners and manufacturers to create innovative formulations using 2’-FL, possibly in conjunction with GOS, to provide significant benefits for Thai infants and toddlers. The demand for 2’-FL in infant milk formula (IMF) is notably rising in Thailand, with nearly 15% of new IMF products launched in 2023 in the country featuring 2’-FL supplementation.

Sophie Nicolas, Global Marketing Lead, Early Life Nutrition at FrieslandCampina Ingredients, notes, "Thailand’s early life nutrition market is thriving, particularly for children – a commonly overlooked area, but we anticipate a 20% volume growth in this specific segment by 2030 in this country."

Aequival 2’-FL's approval for infant milk formulas marks a significant development, allowing its use across the full early life nutrition spectrum, from newborns to kids. HMOs, constituting the third-largest component of human milk, play a crucial role in infant health. With 2’-FL being the most abundant HMO, scientific evidence supports its efficacy in promoting gut health and various benefits for infant development, including brain development, cognition, and learning.

Sophie Nicolas adds, "We believe including other prebiotic ingredients alongside 2’-FL, such as our Vivinal GOS, could offer even more benefits by providing more diverse oligosaccharides structures in recipes."

FrieslandCampina Ingredients, a pioneer in early life nutrition with over 75 years of expertise, has further solidified its position as a world-leading expert. The company's commitment to delivering high-quality proteins and prebiotics is underscored by its recent launch of the 'Step Up Nutrition' platform, focusing on childhood applications and infant milk formula. The approval by the Thai FDA marks a significant step, allowing more brands to harness the potential of these ingredients for the benefit of infants and children.