Dairy-soy blend offers affordable, nutrient-rich solution for Southeast Asian markets
In response to the ongoing challenge of childhood undernutrition in Southeast Asia, Nestlé has introduced Bear Brand Milk N’Soy — a new fortified powdered milk drink that blends both dairy and plant-based proteins, specifically soy, to support the nutritional needs of children over 3 years of age.
Marketed as an affordable, school-friendly nutrition option, Bear Brand Milk N’Soy expands on the success of Nestlé’s fortified milk ranges and takes aim at public health concerns like protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies.
“We’ve created Bear Brand Milk N’Soy to meet the specific nutritional requirements and taste preferences of school-age children — while ensuring it remains accessible to Filipino households,” said Serena Aboutboul, Head of Nestlé’s Nutrition Strategic Business Unit.
Combining Dairy Science and Plant-Based Innovation
The new formula leverages Nestlé’s proprietary enzyme technology to harmonize flavor and texture, ensuring a pleasant experience for children while delivering a robust mix of nutrients including protein, calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, and fiber.
This hybrid approach — combining animal and plant proteins — not only enhances nutritional content but also contributes to sustainability goals, as soy production has a lower environmental footprint compared to dairy.
Nestlé previously piloted a similar product under the Nido brand in West and Central Africa, showing early signs of success in markets with high rates of undernutrition.
A Timely Response to Worsening Undernutrition
Recent global data underscores the urgency of addressing nutritional gaps in young populations. According to the World Bank and FAO, undernourishment affected up to 828 million people globally in 2021 — with the situation worsening during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the Philippines, childhood undernutrition remains a serious issue:
- 28.8% of children under five are stunted, exceeding the Asian average of 21.8%
- Protein-energy malnutrition deaths more than doubled from 2011 to 2021
- Vitamin A deficiency affects nearly 17% of children aged 6–59 months
Nestlé believes products like Bear Brand Milk N’Soy can help close this gap, offering a nutritionally fortified yet cost-effective product designed specifically for growing children.
Potential Relevance for India’s Nutrition Landscape
While Bear Brand Milk N’Soy is currently focused on the Southeast Asian market, especially the Philippines, its formulation and affordability could make it highly relevant for India, where undernutrition among children remains a persistent public health concern.
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), nearly 35.5% of Indian children under five are stunted, and 19.3% are wasted due to chronic undernutrition. Additionally, deficiencies in protein, calcium, and vitamin D remain common among school-aged children, particularly in lower-income and rural communities.
A product like Bear Brand Milk N’Soy — combining affordable plant-based and dairy nutrition, with added micronutrients — could be instrumental in:
- Supporting mid-day meal programs
- Boosting nutrient density in school-age diets
- Addressing protein-energy malnutrition through sustainable means
Nestlé’s experience with fortified milk powders and regionally tailored nutrition solutions positions it well to explore similar models for the Indian market, especially as demand grows for cost-effective, high-impact dairy innovations that align with local taste preferences and dietary needs.
