Inclusion of MFGM to infant milk proposed

A DANISH food scientist is proposing the addition of Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM), which is extracted from cow's milk, to infant formulas sold in the market to resemble the components found in human milk.

Scientist Tore Jesper Anderson, during his presentation on Thursday, August 17, at Marco Polo Hotel, said MFGM is the first ever breast milk alternative discovered by scientists and is now being used in China, United State of America, and Europe.

MFGM, Andersen said, is a component found in breast milk that helps support cognitive development of infants which is also found in cow's milk. In his study, he successfully extracted MFGM from cow's milk, making it closely similar with the standard in pediatric nutrition.

Although the ideal infant nutrition is really maternal milk, he said the introduction of MFGM's integration to infant milk is to provide mothers who cannot produce their own milk an alternative that has similar components as human milk.

Anderson said some of the health promoting benefits caused by bioactive proteins and lipids found in MFGM are the early brain development, intestinal maturity and absorption function, and boost of immune defense.

"In every 500 kilogram (kg) of cow's milk, we can extract 1kg of MFGM," he said.

Since this is a new discovery, Anderson said milk formula manufacturers may demand a higher price. However, he added that the price will decrease when other milk formula manufacturers also adapt MFGM.

Developmental Pediatrician Dr. Lourdes Tanchano, in a separate interview, said many mothers in the country are now selective when it comes to choosing the right milk for their infants.

"Educated mothers are now checking the labels of the milk formulas and they always prefer those milk brands that have so much nutritional benefits to offer," Tanchanco said.

She added that milk formula manufacturers in the country may see this innovation an opportunity to improve the quality of the milk formulas in the country.

Anderson and his team have already discussed the MFGM’s pediatric health benefits in Manila last Monday, August 14, and in Cebu last Wednesday, August 16.

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