Our
research and development
Our hallmark spirit of innovation is evident in our significant Research and Development investment into core areas of: human nutrition and physiology; milk and milk products; cultures; probiotics and microbiota; prebiotics; breast milk and breast milk substitutes; water science; consumer science; immunology; neuro sciences; food and technology. Danone fund nearly £180 million in R&D each year.
Essential key ingredients
Discovering, identifying and developing new ingredients from organic sources potentially promoting health and well being, is our business. Milk and water which are essential to life remain the principal ingredients in our products. Some of their intrinsic qualities such as essential fatty acids, the diversity of milk proteins and the mineral composition of natural water, are recognised as having health enhancing benefits and our teams strive to find more.
Ferments and probiotics*
Over 90 years we've developed a collection of 3,500 lactic bacteria strains which are used to improve taste and texture in our products and other ferments which contain probiotic properties, can aid human digestion. Only 100 strains are currently being investigated and half of these are used commercially. Our culture bank represents a unique source of untapped potential and with the aid of state-of-the-art technology we ensure a steady stream of new products to market.
Researching Breast milk
We have been dedicated to research for over 30 years and we have worked with over 100 international universities and 125 hospitals and have produced more than 1,500 peer-reviewed scientific publications.
With three dedicated research centres in Europe, we aim, through a better understanding of breast milk, to provide mums who cannot, or choose not to breastfeed, with an alternative that offers comparable benefits for their child.
Prebiotics
Our groundbreaking work into prebiotic oligosaccharides has enabled us to create some of the most advanced baby milks available. We are committed to studying further the potential of prebiotics so that we can bring ever more advanced products to market, in order to benefit bottle fed babies.
Natural mineral water
Danone Waters specialise in two areas of research: one, dedicated to hydration and the connection between this and our physical performance; and the second, evaluates the advantages of water in the process of elimination of toxins and waste.
Human physiology
Our Research and Development teams master the art of identifying real health benefits. This is dependent on acquiring in-depth knowledge and understanding of human physiology - intestinal flora, the immune and digestive systems, the intestines’ inflammatory processes, the assimilation of lipids and our metabolism.
The Danone Institute
In 1993 the Danone Institute was established to deliver improved health and enhanced quality of life through better nutrition, to all people.
By sharing scientific research, improving education in nutrition, the institute supports healthcare professionals and customers by regularly publishing studies, findings and information to increase public awareness of issues affecting our health.
Last year we published over 70 papers and were responsible for over 60 clinical studies focused on health.
The institute invests more than £1 million in initiatives to stimulate scientific research and debate, by offering grants, aid and scholarships to graduates.
The Danone International Prize for Nutrition recognises industry achievement and success.
For more information please visit Danone Institute
*According to the definition of the World Health Organisation (2002), “probiotics are live micro-organisms, which when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host”
Nutricia’s innovations in Advanced Medical Nutrition are developed by our renowned Centre for Specialised Nutrition in Wageningen, The Netherlands. We also have a dedicated research unit in Liverpool, UK which develops highly specialised products for patients with very specific needs under our SHS International brand.
As part of Danone’s R&D division for food research, our research organisation is science-driven and consumer-led, specialising only in Medical and Baby Nutrition. We create formulations that provide optimal growth and development or proven health benefits to vulnerable consumers – infants, toddlers, the elderly and those who are sick.
We enjoy support from a strong worldwide network of partners, including research institutes, universities, (academic) hospitals and industrial suppliers. In this way, innovation through quality, exclusivity and momentum is guaranteed. We continuously seek to strengthen this network.
We see enormous potential in disease targeted nutrition; focusing on improving clinical outcomes by helping to delay the progression of specific conditions such as Diabetes and COPD, Oncology, Alzheimer’s disease and HIV.