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Plant-based proteins for infant formula: findings and recommendations from the ILSI Europe workshop

  • Kasper A. Hettinga*
  • , Chris H. P. van den Akker
  • , Nils Billecke
  • , Renée Cardinaals
  • , Ching-Yu Chang*
  • , Didier Dupont
  • , Matthew Furber
  • , Kate Grimshaw
  • , Paula Hallam
  • , Peter de Jong
  • , Julia K. Keppler
  • , Carolien A. van Loo-Bouwman
  • , Cath Mersh
  • , Kelly A. Mulder
  • , Elena Oliveros
  • , Susan Ozanne
  • , Iben Lykke Petersen
  • , Daniel Tomé
  • , Yvan Vandenplas
  • , Fred van de Velde
  • Sascha C. A. T. Verbruggen
*Corresponding author for this work
  • Wageningen University & Research
  • University of Amsterdam
  • Cargill
  • International Life Science Institute European Branch
  • Science et Technologie du Lait et de l'Oeuf (STLO)
  • Danone Global Research & Innovation Center
  • Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
  • Tiny Tots Nutrition
  • Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences
  • NIZO food research
  • Yili Innovation Center Europe
  • Cath Mersh Communications
  • Abbott Laboratories
  • University of Cambridge
  • University of Copenhagen
  • Université Paris-Saclay
  • Vrije Universiteit Brussel
  • Erasmus University Rotterdam
  • Food Quality & Design Group
  • Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology
  • Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
  • Cargill R&D Centre Europe
  • Algemeen Ziekenhuis Jan Portaels, Vilvoorde, Belgium.
  • Earth Systems and Global Change Group
  • INRAE l'Institut Agro
  • STLO
  • Univ Rennes, Rennes, France
  • Utrecht
  • Manchester
  • London
  • NIZO Food Research B.V.
  • Laboratory of Food Process Engineering
  • Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
  • ABBOTT
  • Health Research Institute of Granada (Instituto Biosanitario de Granada
  • Department of Clinical Biochemistry
  • Cambridge University
  • Department of Food Science and Technology, 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
  • AgroParisTech
  • KidZ Health Castle, Brussels, Belgium
  • UZ Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
  • Saxony Liaison Office Brussels, Brussels, Belgium.
  • Department of Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care, Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • Erasmus MC Sophia Children's Hospital

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

This Review Article summarizes outcomes from the ILSI Europe expert workshop on plant-based proteins in infant formula, held in November 2024. Experts from academia, clinical nutrition, and food science evaluated the current use and future potential of plant-based protein sources in infant formula, considering nutritional adequacy, allergenicity, sustainability, processing technologies, and regulatory constraints. While soy and hydrolyzed rice proteins are already approved and in use, emerging sources such as pea, lentil, and faba beans show promise but require further validation of their amino acid profiles, digestibility, safety, and suitability for infants. Key research priorities identified include the development of improved protein extraction methods, in vitro digestion and allergy modeling, and targeted clinical studies. This review synthesizes current evidence and expert perspectives to support the development of sustainable, nutritionally adequate plant-based infant formulas.
Original languageEnglish
Article number1677243
Pages (from-to)1677243
JournalFrontiers in Nutrition
Volume12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2025

Keywords

  • food regulation
  • infant formula
  • nutritional adequacy
  • pediatric nutrition
  • plant-based proteins
  • protein quality
  • sustainability

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