For several years, infant formula has been seen as the most viable alternative for breast milk over the past few years. You always need to learn more about this. Although the degree of safety involved is extremely high, infant formula has found a way to gather massive popularity. The adoption of fast paced lifestyle habits has given the platform for manufacturers in this sector. Countless studies and research activities later, humans seem to have cracked the code to this.
The substance encompasses several products that are suitable to be consumed by infants; who have naturally weaker immune system. With more companies now entering this sector, according to Fortune Business Insights, the global infant formula market is likely to cross the $100 billion mark by the end of 2026.
More Discoveries to Follow
The advances in infant formula have been exceptional of late. Although the product seen numerous advancements since it was first introduced over a hundred years ago now, the manner in which F&B products have moved forward in the past decade is an indication of what is to follow. The massive investments in the development of infant formula and the involvement of large scale companies from other industries are enough to draw the potential that this product holds.
With the increase rate of the global population not looking likely to stop anytime soon, infant formula could be a hidden gem for investors, more likely due to the adoption of fast paced lifestyle habits. The presence of several large scale manufacturers has painted an exciting future for the infant formula space in the coming years.
Sudden Surge in Demand or a Case of Slow Yet Constant Growth?
It is clear that the case for breast milk alternatives was made numerous years ago. The history of this product can be dated back to a century. In fact, the year 1865 was when a then renowned chemist by the name of Justus von Liebig introduced infant formula in a liquid form. Despite the long history of infant formula, why has the product only recently gained more attention? Or has it just been a case of constant growth in plain hindsight.
In retrospect, the use of infant formula has always been massive despite all the ethical barriers and medical debates. What is more evident is that the rate of advancements and discoveries is more in the past few decades than it has been in almost a century before that. Although no asserting statements can be made for the future, it is likely that we may expect rapid growth in the infant formula space in the immediate future.
Increasing Health Awareness has called for Healthier Products
The rising cases of disorders that have been consequential to low nutrient intake in infants and teenagers have created a huge awareness regarding dietary intake. It has been observed that insufficient nutrients for infants have caused more serious disorders, including diabetes. There have been several debates as to why we couldn’t originally figure out the consequences of improper nutrient in infants.
Although this is not a cover up of any sorts for manufacturers and neither does it raise any questions for science, the only logical answer is that extensive research and development has helped connect the dots.
A Case of Money Over Science?
The changing consumer habits have certainly encouraged manufacturers in the infant formula space. As more mothers prefer to take lesser maternity leaves, it is evident that the demand for infant formula has gone up parallel to the changing lifestyle patterns. But as always, several questions are being raised with regard to the ingredients in these products as the infant formula market is different shades of grey.
It is observed that not all ingredients in infant formula are completely healthy or even ‘safe’ for consumption in babies. What’s more interesting is that a few manufacturers are capitalizing on the massive demand for improper or devious marketing strategies. This has certainly raised a few eyebrows over the past few years. Given the level of sensitivity involved in infant formula, the demand for clean labelled and strictly standardized products has gone up dramatically in the past few years.
Moreover, there has been a slight hint of ‘medicalizing’ infant formula and it looks like this has settled well among the common man.
A Bag of Mixed Fortunes for Manufacturers during the Covid-19 Pandemic
The recent coronavirus outbreak has had a daunting impact on several businesses. With diverse industries affected by the pandemic, manufacturers are looking to figure out ways to maximize the pandemic and subsequently recover losses. It has been a similar case for infant formula companies, with manufacturers looking to promote the use of the product. Newer theories have arrived stating the relation of the virus through breastfeeding.
Although there has been very few data to back this, it has managed to created hesitancy among parents and understandably so. If this concept has any truth attached to it remains to be seen, what’s more evident is the increase in demand for the product across the world during the Covid-19 pandemic. This will provide much needed boost to the manufacturers in this sector, particularly after facing the early economic breakdowns since the pandemic started.
Proven Medical Benefits have Torn Down Ethical Hurdles
The exceptional benefits of infant formula resulting from their high nutritional ingredient content have been pivotal to the rise of this industry in recent years. Any early ethical barriers seem to have diminished completely. With challenging work environments and rising competitions, parents have been more hesitant in taking longer breaks. This has set the foundation for rapid advances for infant formula companies as well as distributors.
Large scale companies are pushing the sale of this product through innovative marketing strategies, also selling through factors such as reliability. Another aspect that has led to the use of infant formula is the clean-labelled packaging. Stricter approvals and longer testing and clinical trials have been pivotal to the rise of the infant formula industry and it looks like high investments in R&D will draw an exciting future!
