Tokyo: Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd., Japan's leading dairy producer, has launched Mori-Mama, a maternal milk product developed to support women from pre-conception through pregnancy and lactation.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Morinaga stated that the product reflects the company's long-standing focus on nutritional science and its commitment to supporting nutritional needs across different life stages. The introduction of Mori-Mama signifies a broader shift in maternal and early-life nutrition, concentrating not only on nutrient intake but also on how effectively nutrients are absorbed and utilized by the body. This shift arises amid ongoing nutritional challenges.
Morinaga highlighted that anaemia during pregnancy remains a concern in Malaysia, affecting about 28.8 percent of pregnant women as of 2023, based on World Bank data. Studies have shown that the prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women can range from around 19 percent to more than 50 percent, emphasizing differences in maternal nutritional status and tolerance to supplements during pregnancy.
Morinaga identified iron deficiency as a primary contributing factor to anaemia, with increasing attention on nutrient tolerance, particularly as some women experience discomfort from conventional supplements. Consequently, there is a growing emphasis on nutritional approaches that support both efficacy and overall maternal well-being.
The company noted that Mori-Mama was developed to address these evolving needs by combining key nutrients with functional ingredients like lactoferrin, an iron-binding protein naturally found in high amounts in breast milk. The product also includes a synbiotic blend of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 and FOS (prebiotic fibre) to support iron absorption and gut health.
OZ Marketing managing director Brenda Liew commented on the holistic view of maternal nutrition, noting the increasing awareness of how the body responds to nutritional intake. This understanding has influenced the development of nutritional solutions with a stronger emphasis on absorption, tolerance, and overall well-being.
Morinaga designed Mori-Mama as a single formulation to support women continuously from pre-conception to pregnancy and motherhood, providing a more practical and streamlined nutritional approach. The company highlighted the growing awareness surrounding maternal health, underscoring the importance of nutritional support beginning before pregnancy and continuing beyond childbirth.
'The introduction of Mori-Mama reflects a more deliberate move towards solutions that support women throughout this journey in a way that is both relevant and responsive to their real experiences,' Morinaga stated.