Danone launches UK’s 1st formula milk in an innovative, pre-measured tab format
Today, Danone announces the launch of the first ever formula milk in the United Kingdom to be sold in a pre-measured tab format. Danone is introducing this format innovation in the UK in response to parents’ desire for greater convenience and ease when preparing formula milk feeds.
Photo by Thais Do Rio on Unsplash
In commenting on the launch, Gustavo Hildenbrand, General Manager UK & Ireland, Danone Specialized Nutrition, explained, “Breastmilk is the gold standard when it comes to feeding babies. But if parents feel they need to move on from breastmilk, they tell us they’re looking for ways to make a formula milk feed simpler and more convenient.” According to research1 conducted in 2018 with more than 1,300 UK mums, ‘convenient for feeding-on-the-go’ was the 2nd most important criteria mums cited. Close to a third of those surveyed (31%) also said they looked for ‘greater convenience when preparing a formula feed’.
The new formula milk tabs dissolve easily, with one tab equal to one standard scoop of powdered formula. The new pre-measured tab format will be made available in packs of 24 sachets, with each sachet containing five tabs. Danone expects the new format to help cut down on mess when preparing a formula feed, making the new format useful – in particular for night-time feeds. Besides allowing for more accurate measurement and less wasted formula, the new format helps provide extra reassurance – in particular for parents who favour formats that emphasize hygiene. The new format will be available exclusively via the UK’s leading health & beauty retailer, Boots, under the Aptamil* brand.
Launching this format innovation in the UK shows how Danone is adapting research and innovations to meet the genuine needs of parents. “We hope bringing to market formula milk in a pre-measured tab format will offer added convenience and support for formula feeding parents – especially in the ‘new normal’, when parents are often stretched and trying to juggle balancing family and work-life from home,” Mr. Hildenbrand added.
Danone to produce new pre-measured tab format through manufacturing partnership with Japanese food company, Meiji
Danone is producing formula milk in a pre-measured tab format at Danone’s formula milk production facility in Wexford, Ireland, through a manufacturing partnership with Japanese food manufacture, Meiji. The exclusive memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Danone and Meiji covers the production of this format innovation through which Danone is combining its formula milk recipes with Meiji’s patented tab production technology.
Jean-Michel Lequin, Director of Danone’s Wexford, Ireland, formula milk production facility, explains, “At Danone, we’ve seen how in other food categories – like coffee and culinary stocks – introducing portion controlled and dosed formats has been a game changer for consumers, who look for more convenience and ease. That’s why we’ve worked with Meiji to set up a production line for pre-measured formula milk tabs at Danone’s formula milk production facility in Wexford, Ireland to serve the UK market.”
Producing formula milks at Danone’s facility in Wexford, Ireland, that uses Meiji’s tab production technology, also reflects Danone’s conviction that the health of people and the planet are interconnected – summed up in the company’s ‘One Planet. One Health’ frame of action. Mr. Lequin: “By installing Meiji’s tab production technology at Danone’s formula milk facility here in Wexford, Ireland, Danone can source and produce formula milk in this new format locally for the UK market, and that helps reduce our carbon footprint.”
In commenting on the UK launch, Shun Yoshioka, Managing Director of Meiji Food Europe, added, “We’re very pleased to have reached this milestone in our collaboration with Danone. Through our manufacturing partnership with Danone, we’re introducing a convenient, innovative format in formula milks – based on Meiji’s tabletting know-how – for the first time in the UK & Europe.”
Following a successful launch of this format innovation in the UK, Danone plans to begin offering this new format in other countries in Europe as of 2022.
* Aptamil follow-on milk
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