Infant formula

Abstract

A first or follow-on infant formula comprises (a) a protein component, (b) a carbohydrate component, and (c) a lipid component. The lipid component comprises (by dry weight of lipid components) (i) at least 20% milk lipids, (iii) 10 to 37% rapeseed oil, and (v) 5 to 50% high oleic sunflower oil. The formula preferably comprises (by dry weight of lipid components) (ii) coconut oil, up to 35%, (iv) non-high oleic sunflower oil, up to 35%, and (vi) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) obtained from a plant-based source, up to 1.5%. The formula may be a powder or a ready-to-drink liquid. The formula preferably comprises at least 30% milk lipids, up to 10% coconut oil, at least 8% non-high oleic sunflower oil, at least 7% high oleic sunflower oil, at least 0.3% DHA, and up to 5% palm oil. The formula may be formed by forming a mixture containing components (a), (b) and (c) and subjecting it to UHT processing. The mixture may comprise pasteurised milk or milk derivative that has not previously been subjected to UHT processing. The mixture may have a density of at least 1120 kg.m-3 before or after UHT. The process may comprise an evaporating and / or drying step.