Aussie start-up’s infant formula making waves overseas

The new brand of infant formula with no artificial sweeteners, colours and flavourings received a great response during a recent Shanghai expo.

An 100% Australian-owned start-up has introduced a brand of infant and toddler formula that has essential nutrients and contains no artificial ingredients. The brand’s Stage 1, 2 and 3 formula will be distributed nationwide by Grocery Industries Australia.

Made from 100% Australian powdered milk, Nutrico Optimum has essential nutrients in each of its three stages of formula including prebiotics FOS and GOS, DHA (Omega 3), Taurine, Choline, Beta-Carotene and L-Carnitine. It contains no sweeteners, colours and flavourings commonly found in other branded infant formulas, said the company.

Nutrico’s Managing Director Mr Craig Ford said the drive for developing a new infant formula came when he and his partner, Maia Dodds, could not find a branded formula for daughter Camila that was free of sweeteners such as maltodextrin, sucrose and corn syrup; and was made ethically with 100% Australian dairy milk.

“We decided to produce the best possible infant formula, using optimum quality nutrients, vitamins and minerals that are clinically proven to provide all the nutrients necessary for healthy infants and toddlers,” Ford said.

Mr Graham Moran, National Business Manager of distributor Grocery Industries Australia, welcomed its partnership with Nutrico and announced its plans to have Nutrico retailed in over 1200 independent supermarkets in Australia.

“We have been looking for an infant formula range and Nutrico ticks all the boxes for us including being Australian made and owned, free from artificial sweeteners, colours and flavours, and of the highest nutritional value. We are confident Nutrico will be supported by shoppers and is truly optimum nutrition for their little ones,” Moran said.

Nutrico is produced from high quality milk farmed in the pristine western district of Victoria through its production partner Camperdown Dairy International (CDI).

CDI adheres to the highest food safety standards. It is on track to be Australia’s only vertically integrated dairy company, owning its own dairy farms, processing plants and packaging facilities. It is currently investing $250 million in new facilities and farm purchases in and around Camperdown.

The manufacture of Nutrico includes full traceability, accreditation and certification from food safety authorities – with every batch independently tested before it is despatched.

To ensure authenticity, every tin of Nutrico Optimum formula has a unique QR code on its base. Using a smartphone, customers can scan the QR code to instantly check if it’s a genuine tin of Nutrico Optimum formula.

A feature of Nutrico’s tamper-proof packaging is a scoop tucked neatly inside the lid, which makes it easy to find and helps prevent contamination from unwashed hands.

Nutrico tapped Hong Kong Tongyuanli Trade Development Co. as its exclusive distributor in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau. Last week Nutrico was featured at Children Baby Maternity Expo (CBME) in Shanghai and received a great response.

Nutrico formula is available in 900g tins from selected pharmacies, supermarkets and online. The RRP for Stage 1 Optimum Infant Formula, Stage 2 Optimum Follow-on Formula and Stage 3 Optimum Toddler Formula is $24.95.

Australian retailers interested in stocking Nutrico, www.nutrico.com.au, can visit www.groceryaust.com.au.

Inside Small Business