Recent studies support the positive effects of Nutricia's infant milk formula in reducing allergies and infection rates

Dubai, November 15th 2006 - The 1st Middle East Nutricia Baby Food Symposium concluded recently in Cairo, Egypt. Over 400 healthcare professionals from Egypt, Libya, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, KSA, Bahrain and Lebanon, attended the symposium, which was held to discuss recent studies on the positive effects of infant milk formula in reducing allergies and infection rates.

Experts at the conference agree that breast-feeding is the best form of nutrition for infants, but for those mothers who cannot or choose not to breast feed, Nutricia has developed an infant milk formula, which naturally strengthens the immune system, closely imitating the positive effects provided by natural breast milk. This is supported by two recent studies proving the milk formula considerably reduces the risk of allergy and the infection rate in infants.

Dr. Sherif Mosaad, Pediatric Specialist, Saqr Hospital, President of Pediatric Society, UAE, adds, "This development is extremely important, and its potential impact should not be underestimated as allergies affect more than 20 percent of infants and many childhood allergies persist to adulthood, with approximately 50 percent of childhood asthma sufferers and 80 percent of hayfever sufferers continuing to demonstrate symptoms."

The ingredients in Aptamil and Bebelac infant milk formulas mimic the positive health effects of one of the major components of breast milk by promoting the growth of, "good bacteria," in the body's largest immune organ, the intestine, suppressing harmful bacteria and naturally strengthening the immune system, resulting in a reduction in allergies and infections.

A study conducted by Professor Alfredo Guarino, from the University of Naples, Italy, demonstrated that infection rates have been greatly reduced. "This study, conducted with over 300 children, opens up exciting new perspectives, demonstrating that the ingredients can attain beneficial health results for infants," stated Professor Guarino.

In a separate study of over 200 children by Professor Guido Moro, from the renowned Macedonia Melloni Children's Clinic in Milan, Italy, allergies have been dramatically reduced. The study concludes that infant formula milk developed by Nutricia, reduced the occurrence of atopic dermatitis among children at risk of allergies by 50 percent compared with a standard milk formula.

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Company Profile
Nutricia Middle East is a regional business unit for the Dutch company Royal Numico N.V. Royal Numico is a high growth specialist baby food and clinical nutrition company. Acknowledged as the European and Asia-Pacific market leader in infant and medical nutrition, we offer a wide range of products from infant formula milk to specialised nutrition for babies with specific needs and for breastfeeding mothers. For people with specific nutritional requirements, Royal Numico offers a complete range of enteral clinical nutrition, diet products and disease-specific nutrition. The company serves customers in over 100 countries and employs approx. 13,500 people (see also: www.numico.com).

Middle East - Baby Food
In order to support the development of infants and toddlers, Royal Numico's baby food division (Nutricia Baby Food) has developed a unique range of nutritional products. Our brands include many familiar names, from Milupa and Cow & Gate to Bebelac, Bambix, KariCare and Nutrilon worldwide. Bebelac and Aptamil are the dominant brands in the Middle East. They have been family favourites from generation to generation and we continue to build on these brands with new products focused on delivering health and convenience benefits. From the Middle East office approximately 10 countries are served in the GCC, Levant and North African region.

Nutricia ME,
P.O. Box 17542,
Jebel Ali Freezone,
Dubai,
UAE,
Tel: +971 4 8814114,
Fax: +971 4 881 7750.

For more information, please contact:
Matt Pearman
ASDA'A - a public relations consultancy,
Dubai, UAE,
Tel: +9714-3344550,
Fax: +9714-3344556,
Email: info@asdaa.com

© Press Release 2006