Nestlé launched a milk solution containing HMOs (Human Milk Oligosaccharides) for early life nutrition in mainland China, under the Wyeth illuma brand.

This follows the recent approval for the use of such bioactives by the country's National Health Commission. The use of HMOs is propelled by numerous scientific studies that show the importance of these components in gut and immune health as well as cognitive development in infants, the company said.

HMOs are the third most abundant solid component in human breast milk, after lactose and lipids. Human breast milk contains three major types of these structurally complex carbohydrates. The illuma product launched this month contains 2'Fucosyllactose (2'FL) and Lacto-N-(neo)tetraose (LNnT), which account for two of the three major types of HMOs. The illuma blend additionally contains healthy lipids and proteins that together with the HMOs, also play a role in gut and immune health and cognitive development.

Manufactured at the Nestlé factory in Suzhou, mainland China, the launch of this product confirms Nestlé as a key provider of HMO-based early childhood nutrition solutions in the country. Nestlé will continue to expand its HMO offering in China as per the registration process.

"We are dedicated to leverage our innovation expertise and advance our research in early life nutrition. This is our first launch of HMO products in China. We are delighted to bring the benefits of HMOs and 35 other vital ingredients in this illuma growing up milk to young children," said Laurent Alsteens, Global Head of Early Childhood Nutrition at Nestlé.

Nestlé has conducted a significant number of HMO-related clinical studies and filed many patents related to HMOs. The scientific research takes place at the company's global R&D organization, in collaboration with an extensive network of academic research centers and universities worldwide.

Isabelle Bureau-Franz, Head of Nestlé's R&D for Nutrition says: "For over 30 years, we have been at the forefront of understanding the composition of human breast milk, and the vital role that HMOs, and other nutrients and bioactives play in supporting growth and development during early life. The generated scientific knowledge has helped advance the scientific field for infant and maternal nutrition, while enabling us to develop and launch novel science-based solutions containing HMOs in over 50 countries globally."

The launch of this illuma growing-up milk builds on Nestlé's global leadership in HMO science across its entire formula brand portfolio. It was the first company to introduce a complex of five HMOs in products, globally.