Plant-Based Proteins in Infant Nutrition: Expert Insights

The growing interest in plant-based and sustainable foods is also reaching the field of infant nutrition. Parents and healthcare professionals are increasingly asking whether plant proteins can provide safe and nutritious alternatives to traditional cow’s milk-based formulas. To address this question, an international group of 21 experts from academia, clinical practice, and industry — including NIZO — came together to review the latest science and define priorities for future research. The initiative was coordinated by the Early Nutrition and Long-Term Health Task Force of ILSI Europe.

Key Insights and Research Priorities

The experts emphasize that plant-based infant formulas need a solid scientific foundation and thorough safety checks. They identified four main priorities:

• Focus on promising protein sources such as pea, lentil, and faba bean.
• Improve sustainable and safe processing methods.
• Develop better models to predict digestion and allergen risks.
• Conduct more clinical trials to confirm growth, tolerance, and safety.

Balancing Sustainability and Nutrition

Plant proteins are often praised for their environmental benefits, but they must also meet nutritional and safety standards. True sustainability requires looking at both environmental and nutritional aspects together.

Innovation in Infant Nutrition

Consumer demand for plant-based and sustainable foods is growing, yet creating safe and nutritious infant formulas remains a scientific challenge.

About the Study

This publication brings together the expertise of 21 international specialists — including NIZO — and offers clear recommendations for future research and product development. The work was coordinated by the Early Nutrition and Long-Term Health Task Force of ILSI Europe. The full paper is published in Frontiers in Nutrition.