Rising demand for whey protein may push up infant formula costs, experts say
Experts say the boom in high-protein diets is tightening supplies of whey protein, a key ingredient in infant formula, and could lift prices.
A surge in demand for whey protein, driven in part by the popularity of high-protein diets and weight-loss drugs, may make infant formula more expensive, according to experts. The ingredient is used in many formula products and has become harder to source as more consumers seek protein supplements.
Whey protein has gained popularity over the past year as health advice has increasingly highlighted the role of protein in diets. That shift has added pressure to a supply chain that also serves infant formula manufacturers.
The concern is that stronger competition for whey could feed through to production costs for formula makers. Any increase would matter for parents and carers who rely on the product for infant feeding.
The issue sits within a broader rise in demand for protein-rich foods and supplements, with the market for whey affected by changing consumer habits and the spread of weight-loss medicines.
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