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Nestlé releases products for pregnancy and fertility

Building on in-house research, existing scientific evidence, and consumer demands, the global food company has developed products designed for mothers and babies.

Several drivers within the nutrition and scientific fields inspired Nestlé’s new range of products for pregnancy and fertility.

Pregnancy and fertility-focused food

“As part of our efforts to meet the needs of women across all life stages, we are exploring products and solutions that can fill the critical gaps that exist in addressing specific needs of women, including conception, digestive discomforts during pregnancy and post-partum recovery,” a Nestlé spokesperson told Ingredients Network.

Scientific evidence indicates that a mother’s nutritional status before and during early pregnancy influences her baby's growth and development, and can also help lower the risk of pregnancy complications. A 2021 research study suggests that maternal nutrition and maternal pre-pregnancy metabolic state can influence numerous health conditions that may start during childhood development and into adulthood.

Nestlé has also launched its new range of products to “cater to underserved needs with science-based solutions”. By launching these products and expanding its Materna range, the global food and drink giant aims to support women’s fertility through clinically proven nutrition solutions and ease some of the pregnancy-related symptoms women may experience.

“Scaling up our maternal health offerings is a strategic business priority,” said Serena Aboutboul, senior vice president and head of the nutrition business at Nestlé. The company seeks to provide women with tailored, science-based nutrition products and support them before conception, during pregnancy, and after childbirth. “This will ultimately help enhance health outcomes for mothers and their babies,” Aboutboul added.

Developing its new fertility-focused formulations

While Nestlé’s pregnancy product launch will take place in Q4 of 2024, the company's research and development (R&D) began in 2011, when it conducted a nutritional trial on preconception eating.

Since 2011, Nestlé has participated in the NiPPeR trial, a large-scale randomised control trial that studies preconception nutritional interventions at an international level. It is led by an academic group of clinicians and scientists from the EpiGen Global Research Consortium, who collaborate with Nestlé Research scientists.

During the trial, researchers assessed the effects of a nutritional supplement containing a patented nutritional blend of micronutrients, probiotics, and myo-inositol. “The supplement was found to reduce the risk of complications, pre-term birth, premature membrane rupture, and major bleeding after birth when taken before and during pregnancy,” said Nestlé’s spokesperson.

That trial and its results sparked the idea for a food range designed specifically for pregnancy and fertility. “Nestlé then translated these breakthrough findings into a pipeline of science-based innovations to support women during their pregnancy journey, starting with the launch of Materna Preconception, with more to follow at a later stage,” the company’s spokesperson added.

“Specifically, the launch of Materna Pre is the result of over a decade of scientific validation, and this work is a great example of how a public-private partnership can lead to the innovation of breakthrough solutions designed to meet the specific health needs of women and their babies,” said Isabelle Bureau-Franz, head of R&D for nutrition at Nestlé.

Identifying nutritional needs

During its R&D process, Nestlé sought to understand consumers’ nutritional needs during pregnancy and relating to fertility. Firstly, the company found that women who wish to conceive and those already pregnant have specific macro- and micronutrient needs, each playing a vital role during conception and pregnancy. It found these were crucial for their health and the health and development of their baby.

“These include nutrients such as proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates along with minerals such as iron, zinc, and calcium, vitamins including folate, as well as biotics,” said Nestlé’s spokesperson.

Nestlé’s Materna Pre product contains a patented nutritional blend of micronutrients, probiotics, and myo-inositol. The company is also releasing its Materna Nausea formulation, which it states is scientifically proven to reduce the severity of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and contains ginger and vitamin B6.

The new product development (NPD) launches sit alongside Nestlé’s existing portfolio of products, such as Materna Opti-Lac, which is designed to help reduce breast pain due to mastitis, and Materna G-Balance, formulated to help control blood glucose in pregnant women at risk of gestational diabetes. Nestlé has also developed a range of multivitamins and supplements to support pregnancy.

“We’re the only solutions provider with clinically tested products addressing all segments stages of the motherhood journey,” Nestlé’s spokesperson said.

Nestlé will launch its new products in 2025, firstly in the Latin American market. It plans to expand to other regions at a later, unspecified date.