The demand for baby food is increasing as the number of working women increases, and there is a rapid shift towards convenience foods, propelling the baby food market. The organisation of modern households is changing, with most adults lacking time for home administration, particularly food preparation and cooking. As a result, demand for ready-to-eat or packaged foods has increased. The widespread use of baby food, which aids in the development of the brain, muscles, and nervous system, among other things, and the growing consumer awareness of the product's numerous benefits all have an impact on the market. . Moreover, rising urbanisation, an increase in organised retail marketing, and malnutrition occurrences all have a favourable influence on the infant food business. Notwithstanding the lockdowns imposed to protect residents' safety, important firms in the infant food sector had significant product demand throughout the COVID-19 era. As a result of the epidemic, individuals have grown increasingly concerned about their own and their children's health, with various research papers stating that people and children with low immune and physical strength are more vulnerable to the disease. Fears concerning shelf life, on the other hand, are projected to stymie industry expansion. Over the projection period, the absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework is projected to offer a challenge to the baby food industry.
According to Coherent Market Insights, global Baby Food Market was valued at US$ 45.31 Bn in 2021 in terms of revenue, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.54 % during the forecast period (2022 to 2030).
Prominent Companies in the Baby Food Industry:
1. Nestle S.A.
Nestlé S.A., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a food and beverage company. The company operates through Zone Europe, Middle East and North Africa; Zone Americas; and Zone Asia, Oceania and sub-Saharan Africa segments. It offers baby foods under the Cerelac, Gerber, Nido, and NaturNes brands. The company was founded in 1866 and is headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland. Nestlé S.A. will enter the frozen baby food market in November 2020 with the launch of Freshful Start, an organic, simple-ingredient line of foods made with vegetables and whole grains packaged in bowls. These products are available in five different vegetable combinations.In April 2020, Nestle SA Gerber launched Good Start A2 Toddler Drink and Gerber Good Start A2 Infant Formula. These products contain easy-to-digest A2 B-casein protein. , in 2021, Nestle recalled SMA Wysoy Infant Formula after blue plastic was found in some cans. in 2021, Nestle recalled SMA Wysoy Infant Formula after blue plastic was found in some cans.
2. Groupe Danone
Danone S.A. operates in the food and beverage industry in Europe, Noram, Latin America, the Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. The company operates through three segments: Essential Dairy & Plant-Based, Specialized Nutrition, and Waters. Danone S.A. was incorporated in 1899 and is headquartered in Paris, France. In 2021, Danone launched the first ever formula milk in the U.K. which will be sold in a pre-measured format in order to provide an ease in preparation and provide greater convenience to the parents. In August 2022, Danone launched the new Dairy & Plants Blend baby formula to meet parents' desire for feeding options suitable for flexitarian, vegetarian, and, plant-based diets, while still meeting their baby's specific nutritional requirements.
3. Abbott Laboratories
Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The Nutritional Products segment provides pediatric and adult nutritional products. Abbott Laboratories was founded in 1888 and is based in North Chicago, Illinois.
4. Hain Celestial Group
The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. manufactures, markets, and sells organic and natural products in United States, United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through two segments, North America and International. The company offers infant formula; infant, toddler, and kids' food; plant-based beverages and frozen desserts. The company was incorporated in 1993 and is headquartered in Lake Success, New York.
5. Kraft Heinz Company
The Kraft Heinz Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets food and beverage products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The Kraft Heinz Company was founded in 1869 and is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Kraft Heinz Company will launch a plant-based baby food line in April 2021 to provide babies with a high-quality vegan diet. This line includes three items: Saucy Pasta Stars with beans and carrot, Potato Bake with green beans and sweet garden peas, and Risotto with chickpeas and pumpkin.
6. Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. The company was founded in 1887 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
7. Morinaga Milk Industry Co. Ltd.
Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells various dairy products in Japan and internationally. Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd. was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It also provides infant and toddler milk ingredients, including whey protein concentrate and lactose, as well as lactoferrin.
8. Cargill Inc.
Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial, and industrial products, and services. Founded in 1865. Headquartered in Minnesota U.S.
*Definition- Baby food is designed specifically for infants and toddlers aged four months to two years. The soft, easily consumed food product meets the nutritional needs of infants and toddlers.
