Similac: A Long History of Pediatric Nutrition Innovation

Abbott's history in nutrition began in 1903 with the founding of the Moores and Ross Milk Company in Columbus, Ohio (the successor of which later became part of the Abbott family). By 1924, the company had expanded its operation and moved into larger quarters. It was also the year that the company undertook development of a then unknown and unheard of commodity – a product prepared from milk for use specifically as an infant formula.

This innovative advancement in infant nutrition began when one of the founders of the company, Stanley Ross, met Alfred Bosworth, a renowned milk chemist, who had developed a nutritious infant formula while working at BostonFloatingHospital. Initially prepared as a powder to be re-liquefied at home with boiled water, the product was originally known as Franklin Infant Food, but almost immediately became Similac® – a name suggested by Dr. Morris Fishbein, the editor of the Journal of American Medical Association and a popular writer on medical subjects.

Despite the potentially disastrous impact of the economic depression of the 1930s, an increasing number of user recommendations led to Similac being fed to a greater number of children, a trend that continued through World War II. This acceptance grew throughout the post-war years, during which time Similac gained its present position of preeminence in infant feeding.

By 1951, a new age of ease in home formula preparation was ushered in with the introduction of Similac Concentrated Liquid. This very popular product was ready-to-mix immediately with water in a one-to-one ratio, and physicians and mothers alike hailed the new easy-to-use formulation.

Throughout our long history, Abbott Nutrition has remained committed to conducting research to ensure that formula-fed infants receive the highest quality products to meet their nutritional needs.

In 2000, we provided parents more pediatric nutritional options with a number of new product launches, including Similac 2® Infant Formula With Iron (now known as Similac® Go and Grow) scientifically designed to help meet the unique nutritional needs of older infants and toddlers. In global markets, Abbott Nutrition has developed products designed for children in specialty, “growing-up” and other segments.

However, not all innovation takes place within the container. Recently, we made significant design changes to all of our Similac labels, in an effort to make it easier to find the right formula to meet each baby’s needs. The labels are easy to find on the store shelf, easy to read and contain relevant information to help mothers make the best choice for their child.

Similac provides babies with excellent nutrition for growth and development and has been clinically proven to aid brain, bone and immune system development. All varieties of Similac infant formula are made with a blend of vegetable oils that contain no palm or palm olein oils, for greater calcium absorption and bone mineral density.

Historical Timeline

1925: Moores and Ross Milk Company (today known as Abbott Nutrition) produce the first commercial milk-based infant formula — a new concept at the time. The product was originally known as Franklin Infant Food, and two years later the name changed to Similac®.

1951: Similac® Concentrated Liquid, the first infant formula available in a form other than powder in the United States, was introduced.

1959: Similac® With Iron is introduced, the first iron-fortified infant formula in the United States. It came in both powder and concentrated liquid forms. Today, iron-fortified formula is the preferred source of nutrition during the first year of life if breastfeeding is not chosen.

1966: Pedialyte® begins distribution in the United States as the first ready-to-feed oral electrolyte solution to address dehydration in children.

Isomil®, a soy protein formula, was introduced to address common infant feeding problems.

1977: National Center for Health Statistics and World Health Organization (WHO) introduce first international Child Growth Standards. The standards help to determine the degree to which physiological needs for growth and development are met during important childhood milestones.

1978: The first specialized formulation of Similac® to meet the special needs of premature and low-birth-weight infants was introduced. Abbott Nutrition continues today as a leader in providing a range of specialized formulas for premature babies.

1981: The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, along with the World Health Assembly, adopt the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.

1985: Similac Natural Care®, a liquid breast-milk fortifier to bolster the nutritional intake of breastfed premature infants, was introduced.

1988: PediaSure® was introduced to bridge the gap between the specialized feeding needs of infants and adults.

1989: Alimentum® introduced as a hydrolyzed protein formula to be fed to infants who have gastrointestinal or other diseases that require a formula with predigested protein.

1991: Survanta® (beractant) intratracheal suspension, used in the prevention and treatment of respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants, was introduced.

1994: Abbott Nutrition expands international presence, enters Southeast Asia markets.

1999: Similac® With Iron Ready To Feed formula in a 32-fl-oz aseptic bottle is introduced. This design won the Industrial Design Excellence Award the following year.

2000: Company begins national distribution of an innovative 32-fl-oz, reclosable plastic bottle for Isomil®.

2002: Breast feeding rates reach all-time high in the U.S. Abbott's annual survey of infant feeding trends – Ross Mothers Survey – the largest of its kind, shows that a record 70.1 percent of mothers initiate breastfeeding in the hospital – up from 54.2 percent a decade ago.

2006: Company unveils smart, nutritious snacks for kids: NutriPals™ Balanced Nutrition bars and drinks are a good source of protein; plus, they contain more than 20 vitamins and minerals.

Vital jr.™ was launched. This therapeutic semi-elemental formula is scientifically designed to meet the special needs of children ages 1 to 13 years with malabsorption, maldigestion, and other GI conditions.

2007: Company launches two milk-based lactose-free formulas, Similac Sensitive™ and Similac Sensitive R.S.™

 

Abbott is committed to the nutritional health and well-being of babies, and we advocate breastfeeding as the first choice for infants. Abbott's high-quality infant formulas help to ensure optimal infant nutrition when breast milk is not available, not chosen, is discontinued, or is supplemented. We are dedicated to the highest standards of manufacturing and marketing - and to complying with all applicable laws and regulations in the countries where we do business. This includes following the World Health Organization International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes as it is legislated and implemented locally.