Abbott Laboratories' Ross Products division will launch the first protein hydrolysate infant formula with iron on the US market. The product will also contain Martek Biosciences's blend of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA).
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has completed its review of Ross' Alimentum Advance and the formula is expected to be available in stores in a ready-to-feed form beginning this summer.
The new hypoallergenic formula is aimed at infants with severe food allergies or colic due to protein sensitivity.
Martek's oils contain the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), DHA and ARA, both of which are found in mother's breast-milk. Clinical studies have demonstrated numerous benefits for infants receiving DHA and ARA-supplemented formula. Martek's proprietary blend of DHA and ARA is the only source of these nutrients that the FDA has cleared for use in infant formula.
"Martek strongly supports the expansion of DHA and ARA-supplemented infant formula lines to accommodate all infants with special dietary needs," said Henry Linsert, chairman and CEO of the company, which develops the nutritional oils from microalgae.