News

Gerber adds prebiotics

18 Oct 2016

Early childhood nutrition company Gerber has announced a line of infant formulas with probiotics, making it, says the company, the only brand to offer probiotics in all milk-based powder formulas.

Early childhood nutrition company Gerber has announced a line of infant formulas with probiotics, making it, says the company, the only brand to offer probiotics in all milk-based powder formulas. Gerber said that Nestlé, its parent company, in addition to other academic and scientific organisations, has conducted research to determine how probiotics, good bacteria of the type commonly found in breastmilk, may provide support to the development of a healthy digestive and immune system in babies and young children. Based on this research and after assuring their safety, Gerber has made probiotics a key ingredient in all Gerber Good Start milk-based powder formulas.

In designing its infant formulas, Gerber says it selected specific probiotics based on the product benefits intended:

+ Gerber® Good Start® Gentle formulas are for healthy babies who are not exclusively breastfed, so Gerber selected probiotic B.lactis, which it says is similar to the probiotics found in breastmilk:

Stage 1 Gerber Good Start Gentle is Gerber's closest formula to breastmilk and is claimed to be the only powder infant formula with a blend of DHA, prebiotics and probiotics – all important components found in breastmilk.

Stage 2 Gerber Good Start Gentle formula is, says the company, the only stage 2 powder infant formula that has probiotics.

Stage 3 Gerber Good Start Grow is the newest member of the Gerber Good Start family. Specifically designed for toddlers' nutrition needs, it is saidto be the only stage 3 product with probiotics.

+ Gerber Good Start Soothe products are for babies experiencing colic, excessive crying and fussiness so Gerber selected the probiotic L. reuteri. Studies using this probiotic have shown that it reduces the amount of time colicky infants may cry.

"At Gerber, we are always looking for ways to improve our products and ensure we are offering the best nutrition possible," said Aileen Stocks, Chief Marketing Officer of Gerber and mom of two. "By adding probiotics similar to those found in breastmilk to all our milk-based powder infant formulas, we are able to help support baby's developing digestive system and a healthy immune system."