Science & technology | White gold

Baby formulas now share some ingredients with breast milk

They may one day replicate its benefits

Illustration: Anna Kövecses

FOR MORE than 100 years scientists and companies have tried to create an artificial version of breast milk. Success has been limited. Early efforts, full of sugar or cheap corn syrup, fell woefully short. Even 20th-century formulas meant to emulate breast milk’s nutritional profile were a far cry from the real thing.

This article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline “Like mother used to make”

From the September 14th 2024 edition

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