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.
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.
