Danone has announced the launch of the first baby formula to combine both key dairy ingredients and nutrients found in plants.

The food product corporation‘s aim in creating its Dairy and Plants Blend was to meet the needs of parents wanting more vegetarian and flexitarian options for their baby, with the formula containing 60% plant-based protein.

Made from high-quality, non-GMO soy and mixed with essential ingredients including lactose, an important source of carbohydrates, the formula is hoped to help babies shape their future food preferences with its mild taste of plants.

With 50 years of advanced breastmilk research and experience in plant-based products, Danone’s first specifically created formula for a vegetarian diet draws on OnePoll’s survey that found over two thirds (69%) of parents prefer their children to eat more plant-based foods.

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The new product, set to launch in a range of countries later this year under the global Aptamil brand, has a carbon footprint approximately 30% lower per pack than any other powdered formula.

Providing a more sustainable option, the Dairy and Plants blend is also contained in fully-recyclable packaging.

“As a mother of four, I appreciate parents want the very best nutrition for their baby’s healthy growth and development,” global plant based strategy and business acceleration vice president, Manuela Borella said.

“At Danone, we also recognize many parents want to introduce plant-based, vegetarian and flexitarian options into their baby’s diet, while still meeting their baby’s specific nutritional requirements.”

“Our new Dairy & Plants Blend baby formula has been developed with these needs top of mind.”

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