A UAE-based company has developed a baby formula from camel’s milk. The Emirates Industry from Camel Milk and Products also known as ‘Camelicious’, unveiled the product at Gulfood 2018, a food and beverage commodity expo held recently in Dubai. The company’s camel’s milk-based formula is believed to be the first of its kind in the world. Apart from the new formula, the company also produces more than 40 camel milk-based products – including energy drinks, milk powder and ice cream.

The camel milk formula is designed for babies and infants between the ages one and three-years-old and is expected to hit the shelves of the UAE in the next few months, before going global. Saeed Juma Bin Subaih, general manager of Camelicious said, “Camel milk represents an integral part of the Arabic and Islamic culture in general, and the UAE culture and heritage. This milk genuinely complements the UAE values and traditions that are handed down from one generation to another.”

Health Benefits of Camel Milk for Infants

Various studies have shown that camel milk is almost as nutritious as a mother’s milk and offers 10 times more iron and three times more vitamin C than cow’s milk. Mutasher Awadh Al Badry, deputy general manager at Camelicious explained, “Camel milk helps to strengthen the blood, protect children from anaemia, and provide their bodies with vital minerals needed for daily life.” Vitamin C is also one of the most important vitamins to maintain the health and strength of the bodily immune system. It also contains vitamin B1 and vitamin B12, rich in thiamine that is higher than the same element found in sheep, goat or cow milk.

Milk allergies are most common food allergy in infants and young children. According to the US Food Allergy Research and Education organisation, studies show that about 2.5% of children under three years old are allergic to milk with symptoms ranging anywhere from vomiting and nausea to diarrhoea and hives.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 28, 2018 11:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).