Combining both dairy and plant-protein, this is said to be the first-of-its-kind product in the kids nutrition category in the Philippines.
Sold under the name BEAR BRAND MILK N’ SOY, the new product will be available in supermarkets, groceries and neighbourhood sundry stores - also known as Sari Sari stores.
Prior to the launch, BEAR BRAND’s existing products targeted at school-age children in the Philippines include milk powder fortified with vitamin D, protein, calcium, iron, zinc, and vitamin C.
Nestle believes that combining both milk and soy protein will make nutrition more affordable to school-age children.
“BEAR BRAND MILK N’ SOY is the first of its kind - an affordable milk drink with plant-based protein - in the Philippines not only under BEAR BRAND but in the category as a whole,” a Nestle spokeswoman said in response to queries from NutraIngredients-Asia on the launch announced on April 8.
Soy protein is used as it is more affordable and provides quality protein with essential amino acids, healthy fats, fibres and other nutrients.
Milk, on the other hand, is a source of protein, calcium and vitamins.
Nearly one in three Filipino children below five years old, for instance, suffers from stunting, according to World Bank. It added that stunting between two and five years old children was “principally associated with suboptimal prenatal conditions and inadequate food security and diversity.”
“We have created Bear Brand Milk N’ Soy to meet the specific nutritional requirements and taste preferences of school-age children and have made it affordable for Filipino households," said Serena Aboutboul, head of the Nutrition Strategic Business Unit at Nestle.
There were however, challenges arising from the low solubility of soy protein, which can in turn affect the overall texture of the product.
In this case, Nestle said that this could be tackled using novel enzyme-based technology.
“Soy proteins are not as soluble as dairy proteins and present a beany flavour and gritty texture when combined with milk.
“However, our innovative enzyme-based technology enables us to seamlessly blend both dairy and plant proteins, resulting in nutritious and affordable beverages with an excellent taste and a smooth, creamy texture,” said Isabelle Bureau-Franz, Head of Nestlé R&D for Nutrition.
Aside from soy, other plant-based protein that have been used by other companies in creating kids nutritional drink include oat, almond, buckwheat, tapioca , and even coconut milk powder, pea, and rice proteins.
Nestle said that other than The Philippines, similar products for school-age children have already been rolled out in Nigeria under the Nido brand.
There are also plans in introducing such products across Asia, other parts of Africa and Latin America.
“We believe that there is significant growth potential in expanding the benefits of Bear Brand to older children in their school-going years,“ Aboutboul said.
