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US-12616233-B2 - Infant formula composition and methods of manufacture

US12616233B2US 12616233 B2US12616233 B2US 12616233B2US-12616233-B2

Abstract

Disclosed are baby formula compositions and methods of making thereof. In some embodiments, the baby formula composition includes goat milk and a variety of other nutritional components. In some embodiments, the baby formula composition is provided as a powder, to be mixed with water and fed to a baby or toddler. In some embodiments, the baby formula composition is suitable for babies at least 12 months in age or older.

Inventors

  • Nikos M. LINARDAKIS
  • James ESSELMAN

Assignees

  • The Bêne Baby Company LLC

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20221031

Claims (19)

  1. 1 . A baby formula composition consisting of: at least one goat milk isolate or goat milk derivative at a concentration of approximately 40% to 80% by weight of the composition; lactose; one or more oils that provide small and medium chain fatty acids and which are selected from the group consisting of coconut oil, sunflower oil, marine-sourced oil, cranberry seed oil, chia seed oil, safflower oil, and soy oil; and a plurality of nutritional additives selected from the group consisting of extracts from fish, extracts from coconut oil, vitamins, calcium phosphate, arachidonic acid (ARA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), potassium chloride, sodium chloride, magnesium sulfate, choline bitartrate, inositol, ascorbic acid, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, d-alpha tocopherol succinate, vitamin K, pantothenic acid, retinyl acetate, cholecalciferol, biotin, copper sulfate, niacinamide, selenium aspartate, riboflavin, thiamine hydrochloride, pyridoxine hydrochloride, manganese sulfate, cyanocobalamin, potassium iodide and folic acid, wherein the composition omits sheep milk, and wherein the baby formula composition is a powdered composition.
  2. 2 . The baby formula composition of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nutritional additives comprise one or more of extracts from fish, extracts from algae, extracts from coconut oil, and vitamins.
  3. 3 . The baby formula composition of claim 1 , wherein the baby formula composition contains less alpha-S-1 casein protein and more alpha-S-2 casein protein than baby formula made from cow milk.
  4. 4 . The baby formula composition of claim 1 , wherein the baby formula composition is configured to help in immune modulation and allergy when consumed by an infant.
  5. 5 . The baby formula composition of claim 1 , wherein the baby formula composition is gluten-free, soy-free and corn syrup-free.
  6. 6 . The baby formula composition of claim 1 , wherein the baby formula composition is configured to reduce one or more of a risk and/or severity of childhood obesity, diabetes, heart disease and/or behavior problems when consumed by an infant or child.
  7. 7 . The baby formula composition of claim 1 , wherein the baby formula composition is configured to be hypoallergenic when consumed by an infant.
  8. 8 . The baby formula composition of claim 1 , wherein the baby formula composition is configured to reduce allergies related to alpha-S-1 casein protein, soy, nuts and processed sugars when consumed by an infant.
  9. 9 . An infant nutritional food supplement comprising the baby formula composition of claim 1 mixed with water, drink or food.
  10. 10 . The baby formula composition of claim 1 , wherein the at least a portion of the small and medium chain fatty acids are derived from coconut oil.
  11. 11 . The baby formula composition of claim 1 , wherein the at least a portion of the small and medium chain fatty acids are derived from sunflower oil.
  12. 12 . The baby formula composition of claim 1 , wherein the at least a portion of the small and medium chain fatty acids are derived from marine-sourced oil selected from fish and/or algae.
  13. 13 . The baby formula composition of claim 1 , wherein the one or more oils that provide small and medium chain fatty acids also provide omega fatty acids.
  14. 14 . The baby formula composition of claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of goat milk isolate or goat milk derivative to lactose is in a range of 5:1 to 11:1.
  15. 15 . The baby formula composition of claim 1 , wherein the lactose is at a concentration of approximately 6% to 7% by weight of the composition.
  16. 16 . The baby formula composition of claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of goat milk isolate or goat milk derivative to oils that provide small and medium chain fatty acids in the composition is in a range of 8:1 to 75:1.
  17. 17 . A baby formula composition consisting of: at least one goat milk isolate or goat milk derivative at a concentration of approximately 45% to 75% by weight of the composition; lactose; one or more oils that provide small and medium chain fatty acids, and which are selected from the group consisting of coconut oil, sunflower oil, marine-sourced oil, cranberry seed oil, chia seed oil, safflower oil, and soy oil; and a plurality of nutritional additives selected from the group consisting of calcium phosphate, arachidonic acid (ARA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), potassium chloride, sodium chloride, magnesium sulfate, choline bitartrate, inositol, ascorbic acid, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, d-alpha tocopherol succinate, vitamin K, pantothenic acid, retinyl acetate, cholecalciferol, biotin, copper sulfate, niacinamide, selenium aspartate, riboflavin, thiamine hydrochloride, pyridoxine hydrochloride, manganese sulfate, cyanocobalamin, potassium iodide and folic acid, and wherein the composition omits sheep milk.
  18. 18 . An infant nutritional food supplement comprising the baby formula composition of claim 17 mixed with water, drink or food.
  19. 19 . A baby formula composition consisting of: at least one goat milk isolate or goat milk derivative at a concentration of approximately 40% to 80% by weight of the composition; lactose; one or more oils that provide small and medium chain fatty acids, and which includes at least one of coconut oil, sunflower oil, marine-sourced oil, cranberry seed oil, chia seed oil, safflower oil, or soy oil; and nutritional additives selected from the group consisting of vitamin A, B vitamins, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, biotin, calcium, choline, chloride, copper, folate, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, selenium, and zinc, and wherein the composition omits sheep milk.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/338,351, filed May 4, 2022, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND Technical Field This disclosure relates to infant formula compositions and methods of manufacturing the same. Related Technology Typically, baby formulas are designed to deliver important nutrients and vitamins to infants and toddlers as they develop. These nutrients are critical for development in key areas and functions, and often attempt to mimic the nutritional profile of human breast milk. Breast milk contains a remarkably long list of different nutrients, vitamins, essential proteins, and much more. It even includes millions of live cells, made up of immune-boosting white blood cells and stem cells. Baby formulas are typically categorized as a dairy substitute and classically include a blend of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Many baby formulas utilize high fructose corn syrup and derivatives of palm oils and soy protein in the attempt to mirror breast milk. However, palm oil derivatives and soy derivatives can be irritating to some infants and often provide poor nutritional value. Many formulas are also marketed and directed toward infant populations, rather than older babies and toddlers. As formulas are designed with young infants in mind, older babies and toddlers are not able to get the proper nutritional profile and can experience gastric discomfort when transitioning from formula-based nutrition to solid foods. This transition is particularly troublesome when transitioning to lactose-heavy foods from a relatively lactose-light diet. There are concerns that formula is not as healthy for babies as breast milk and babies may actually become ill if the formula is improperly mixed or administered. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breastfeeding is considered the best form of nutrition and feeding for infants. This may not be possible in all parenting, and may be impossible in some situations. The fast pace of society has changed the dynamics of the home life, and mothers have chosen to also work more hours, delaying birth to children until later in life, which also leads to more infant formula feeding since these mothers may work, and the child is at home under a nanny or caretaker supervision and receiving its feeding thru formula food and water. Babies require an adequate amount of calories (energy), nutrients, minerals, and other nutritional needs to maintain their growth and development. Conventional baby formulas come in three varieties: soy-based, specialized formulas, or milk-based. Soy-based formulas use soy proteins and often do not contain any lactose. Soy-based formulas may help babies that are allergic to lactose contained in cow milk. However, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), up to half of babies who are allergic to milk protein are also sensitive to soy protein. Additionally, although a whole soybean provides all the essential amino acids required by the human body, soy protein isolates may not provide such a robust nutritional profile. During processing of soybeans, valuable vitamins and minerals can get stripped away, leaving a nutritionally depleted product. Processed soy products (and soy protein isolates) may also be higher in phytoestrogen isoflavones (especially genistein and daidzein), which are structurally similar to the human female hormone 17-beta-estradiol and can cause hormone disruption. Hormone disruption at any level is particularly undesirable in developing babies and especially for those with a family history or genetic predisposition for estrogen-receptor diseases, influencing hormone-dependent states and potential negative effects on sexual development, reproductive function, neurobehavioral development and other functions as immune and thyroid function abnormalities. Specialized formulas are designed for babies with certain diseases or disorders. For example, premature babies typically require specialized formula. It is important to follow all guidelines and instructions for feeding with specialized formulas because they are different from typical baby formulas. Babies who are not in need of specialized formula should not be fed specialized formulas. Milk-based formulas utilize cow milk and are the most prevalent types of formula on the market. The cow milk in infant formula is treated to make the protein more digestible, milk sugar (lactose) is added to bring it closer to breast milk, and vegetable oil replaces the butterfat. Cow milk-based formulas may contain higher levels of a specific casein protein (e.g., alpha S-1 casein), which can be a source of allergens and a cause of cow milk protein (CMP) allergy. Studies have linked cow milk-based formulas to a higher risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants. Additionally, the raising of cows to supply milk for formulas is believed by some to negatively imp