Clinical Study Validates Whey Protein Ingredient for Infant Growth

The clinical research conducted at Peking University in collaboration with the Junlebao Dairy Group has validated the efficacy of Lacprodan IF-3070, a partially hydrolysed whey protein developed by Arla Foods Ingredients, in supporting healthy infant growth. The study involved 251 newborns under the age of 14 days recruited from six Chinese hospitals. Participants were randomized to receive either a standard infant formula or one enriched with Lacprodan IF-3070, with an additional group of breastfed infants serving as a reference.

The primary outcomes focused on safety and growth, and the results showed that the mean daily weight gain for infants receiving Lacprodan IF-3070 was only 0.4g less per day compared to breastfed infants. In contrast, the standard formula group showed a greater difference of 1.1g per day. This indicates that the growth trajectories of infants fed with the whey protein ingredient were closely aligned with those of breastfed infants.

Moreover, Lacprodan IF-3070 was well tolerated, with no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events such as gastrointestinal disorders or respiratory diseases compared to the breastfed group. The standard formula group, however, exhibited a higher incidence of gastrointestinal issues.

Lotte Neergaard Jacobsen, chief scientist for early life nutrition at Arla Foods Ingredients, emphasized the significance of these findings for the infant formula market, particularly in China. She noted that the company heavily invests in research to ensure the safety and quality of its ingredients.

Since their inception in the 1940s, milk protein hydrolysates have been integral to infant nutrition, known for alleviating allergy symptoms and digestive discomfort. This study, featuring contributions from Professor Yvan Vandenplas of UZ Brussel, marks the first in a series of four publications based on this research.