Mead Johnson was built on a foundation of science-based nutrition. It was one of the first companies in the United States to focus scientific research on nutrition for infants and children.
The company was founded in Jersey City, new Jersey, by Edward Mead Johnson, Sr. He started the company after leaving Johnson & Johnson, which he co-founded with his brother. Over the course of more than 100 years, Mead Johnson has introduced a wide range of innovative infants feeding products, pharmaceuticals and enteral and parenteral nutrition products.
Caroid, a digestive aid and one of the Company's earliest products, helped the new venture thrive.
Mead Johnson introduced Dextrilactic-Powder, its first infant feeding product. This new product was a combination of digestive aids and dehydrated milk.
Company founder Edward Mead Johnson's infant son, Ted, suffered from a life-threatening congenital heart condition, complicated by also not tolerating his feedings and becoming weaker. Desperate for help, the family consulted the foremost pediatrician in the United States, who prescribed a feeding mixture that helped save Ted's life. Years later, the memory of this experience led E. Mead to develop Dextri Maltose, a specialty carbohydrate powder designed to be mixed with milk.
As the first clinically-supported, physician-recommended infant feeding product in the U.S., Dextri-Maltose laid the foundation for more innovative products designed to meet the nutritional needs of babies and their mothers.
During World War 1, the supply of potato starch needed to make Dextri-Maltose could no longer be imported from Germany. As a result, the company needed to relocate to an area where corn, an alternative source of carbohydrate, was in abundant supply. In 1915, the company settled in Evansville, Indiana, where still it maintains its largest presence, including a Pediatric Nutrition Institute research facility and a manufacturing plant.
More than one in five American children did not live to celebrate their fifth birthday in 1918, according to government health statistics. Gastrointestinal disorders and infant digestive problems were two of the leading causes of death. By the early 1920s, Mead Johnson introduced its first milk-derived product, a protein supplement called Casec, to help ease these issues.
Nearly two-thirds of American children in the early 1900s suffered from rickets, a devastating bone disease caused by a deficiency in vitamin D, according to The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. With few treatments available, Mead Johnson identified the beneficial properties in cod liver oil as a solution. In 1924, the company introduced Mead's Standardized Cod Liver Oil, which provided physicians the first standardized dose of vitamin D.
Mead Johnson opened the doors to its second domestic location in the United States when it purchased The Phenix Cheese factory in Zeeland, Michigan, and transformed it into a facility capable of producing the company's milk-derived products. Today the plant continues to produce many of Mead Johnson's most successful products, is a major supplier of infant formula to the United States and Canada and provides key components to the company's other manufacturing facilities around the world.
The forerunners of modern infant formula, reconstructed milks were created by breaking cow's milk into its major nutritional components and reassembling them, along with other ingredients, into combinations thought to be more appropriate for infants feeding. In 1925, Mead Johnson introduced Recolac, reconstructed milk, followed in 1926 by Mead's Powdered Lactid Acid Half Skim Milk.
Following Recolac, Mead Johnson introduced Sobee Powder, which included soybean flour instead of cow's milk as its protein source, to offer an option for children with cow's milk protein allergy. Today, Mead Johnson has a wide range of products designed to help infants with allergies and other feeding issues.
Mead Johnson marked another nutritional science breakthrough with the introduction of Pablum cereal. Pablum was the first pre-cooked, vitamin and mineral-fortified instant infant cereal in the United States. the nutritional value and ease of preparation for parents made Pablum a huge success.
Mead Johnson's vitamin research continued to advance with the introduction of Oleum Percomorphum syrup, valued as a source of vitamin D, which prevented rickets, and also provided a source of vitamin A. In 1936, Oleum Percomorphum in capsule form was introduced at the request of physicians. Oleum Percomorphum was the company's top-selling product during the decade surrounding World War II.
Mead Johnson's next reconstructed milk product was Olac. Its formulation was significant because vegetable oils, instead of animal fats, were included as the fat component. The original Olac is no longer marketed, but a different infant formula named "Olac" is sold by Mead Johnson in several countries today.
Mead Johnson introduced Amigen, the first life-sustaining intravenous solution for nutrition available in the U.S. Amigen was in high demand following an ammonium nitrate explosion in Texas in 1947, which claimed nearly 600 lives and injured thousands more. Mead Johnson sent shipments of Amigen to help those injured in the blast.
Nutramigen was the first protein hydrolysate formula in the United States for infants with cow's milk protein allergy. It was a breakthrough in nutrition and remains one of Mead Johnson's most important products.
Mead Johnson introduced the first line of water-soluble paediatric vitamins, called Vi-Sols. Today they remain the leading physicians-recommended paediatric vitamins.
Mead Johnson International was formed as a separate division to provide a framework for conducting business overseas. Today Mead Johnson has over 70 products in more than 50 markets worldwide.
Mead Johnson's first Mexican manufacturing facility was built in Mexico City. That same year, the company was recognized by the Medical Pharmaceutical Foundation of the Republic of Mexico as the company having made the greatest contribution to the nation's public health.
Today Mexico City is the site of the company's Latin America regional headquarters and the Mead Johnson Pediatric Nutrition Institute, Latin America. Mead Johnson operates a manufacturing facility in Delicias, Mexico.
Lofenalac paved the way for Mead Johnson's extensive line of metabolic formulas. It was the first commercial formula for infants with Phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare condition that prevents the body from breaking down an amino acid called phenylalanine.
Mead Johnson launched Metrecal, the first measured-calorie dietary product in the United States. The product received positive reviews from the medical community and evolved into a popular line of drinks, cookies and soups. The company marketed Metrecal until the early 1970s.
The original Enfamil, introduced in powder form and also as a concentrated liquid, was the company's first routine infant formula designed to be patterned after the nutritional composition of breast milk. Innovative for several reasons, Enfamil was formulated with nine percent of its calories included in the form of protein, which more closely matched human milk. Enfamil was the first routine infant formula in the United States to include added levels of the important nutrients choline and inositol.
Introduced in 1964, Nursette bottles revolutionized infant feeding in the U.S. by providing Enfamil in new ready-to-use bottles, sterilized nipples - offering nourishment for children and convenience for their parents.
Since its creation, Enfamil has undergone several significant reformulations, each one designed to bring it nutritionally closer to the composition of breast milk.
Mucomyst, a mucus-dissolving agent, became the first effective treatment for respiratory problems. Nearly two decades later, Mucomyst - along with two other Mead Johnson products, Desyrel and Questran - were recognized by the Physicians' Desk Reference for helping make the past 40 years the most productive in the history of medical science.
ProSobee, the first infant formula in the United States with soy protein isolated from whole soy flour, was introduced for infants with difficulty tolerating routine milk-based infant formula.
Mead Johnson became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bristol-Myers (now Bristol-Myers Squibb Company) and remained a part of the company until once again becoming a separate company in 2009.
To support the company's growing presence in Asia, Mead Johnson completed construction of a manufacturing facility in Manila, in the Philippines.
Through aggressive advancement and research, scientists developed a formula that catered to infants who were unable to properly absorbs fats. The product, Pregestimil, offered a nutritionally complete infant formula for babies with fat absorption problems due to conditions such as cystic fibrosis.
First developed as a tube feeding product, Sustagen evolved into a popular nutritional supplement beverage for children. As a major product in Asia and Latin American in the 1970s, today Sustagen remains a nutritious supplement that can help children meet the daily needs for macronutrients and essential vitamins and minerals.
Mead Johnson's presence in Western Europe expanded in the 1980s, with the company offering nutrition products for infants and older babies. In the years that followed, Mead Johnson entered additional markets throughout Central and Eastern Europe.
In the U.S., Enfamil was reformulated to have a 60:40 whey-to-casein protein component, similar to that of typical mature human milk (15 days to six months after birth). A few months later, the company introduced Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier, which when added to breast milk increased levels of protein, calories, iron, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins and other nutrients for premature and low-birth-weight babies.
In Hong Kong, Mead Johnson introduced Enfapro, a follow-on formula for older babies. The product was specifically designed to provide balanced nutrition to support a baby's transition from breast milk or infant formula to cow's milk.
Mead Johnson entered into an agreement with the Chinese Government to build an infant formula manufacturing facility in Guangzhou, China. Two years later, the plant was built and today produces several of the leading brands available to mothers and children int he region. In 1998, the company opened an office in Bangkok, Thailand, where it also operates one of three manufacturing facilities in Asia.
The launch of several specialized formulas became successful in both Central and Eastern Europe. Olac, Enfalac 1 and 2, ProSobee, Pregestimil and Nutramigen became market leaders in Scandinavia.
For the first time, Mead Johnson introduced a product, Enfamil A.R. infant formula, simultaneously in eight Latin American countries.
Mead Johnson introduced Enfamil A+ in Hong Kong, the company's first product including the important nutrients DHA and ARA. Found naturally in breast milk, both nutrients are important for brain and eye development. Under various other names, including "Enfamil LIPIL" and "Enfamil PREMIUM," the product was later introduced in the United States, Canada, Latin America and Europe.
In 2002, Enfamil LIPIL was introduced as the first infant formula in the U.S. to include DHA and ARA, nutrients important for brain and eye development. The company also launched Enfamil Premature LIPIL, Enfamil LactoFree LIPIL and Enfamil ProSobee LIPIL by the end of the same year.
Mead Johnson completed its introduction of a new line of 17 products specifically designed for the dietary management of infants with inborn errors of metabolism.
Mead Johnson celebrated its first 100 years.
Mead Johnson launched Nutramigen AA™ LIPIL infant formula, a hypoallergenic amino acid-based formula for infants and toddlers with severe cow's milk protein allergy.
The following year, the company introduced Nutramigen with Enflora LGG that included the addition of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG - also known as LGG. LGG is the widely-studied probiotic, with more than 40 clinical trials conducted in infants and children. The first to use this extensive array of scientific support, Mead Johnson added LGG to Nutramigen to help support the strength of the intestinal barrier of the allergic infant.
Enfamil underwent several modifications to improve the formulation. In 2009, Enfamil PREMIUM infant formula with Triple Health Guard™ was introduced to the U.S. to promote healthy brain and eye development. By 2010, the product also included nutrients needed for healthy physical growth and development, including Natural Defense™ Dual Prebiotics, which was designed to help support a baby's own defences.
Mead Johnson began its separation from Bristol-Myers Squibb and today is a fully independent public company.
Mead Johnson launch Enfamil PREMIUM Newborn in the United States, the first formula tailored to the needs of infants in their three months. This product is part of Enfamil Staged Formulas. In addition, Enfagrow PREMIUM with added Wellmune Beta (beta symbol) Glucan for immune support was launched in several markets in Asia and Latin America.
The Enfamil reusable tub and refill system introduced int he U.S. not only offered increased value and convenience for customers, but also the potential for significant reduction in the carbon footprint of the packaging involved - up to 35 percent less packaging materials, 60 percent less energy, and 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions under a typical use scenario, compared to the previous packaging.
The development of the Mead Johnson Pediatric Nutrition Institute, or MJPNI, exemplifies the company's commitment to the advancement of science and paediatric nutrition. Mead Johnson has three MJPNI locations - one in the U.S., one in Mexico and one in China.
Mead Johnson introduced Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier Acidified Liquid in the U.S., which was developed specifically for breastfed babies born prematurely or with low birth weight.
In 2014 Mead Johnson opened the doors to its newest manufacturing and research center in Singapore. This complex includes a complete manufacturing facility with quality control facilities and spray dryer, along with a new research and development laboratory that is part of our Mead Johnson Pediatric Nutrition Institute. This comes on the heels of the relocation of our Asia headquarters to Singapore in 2012. These new facilities enhance the company’s capabilities to invent, improve and innovate products and bring them to market, allowing us to better serve our customers across this important region.
The science of infant and child nutrition is complex. That is why Mead Johnson created its Interactive Science Galleries, museum-quality facilities that showcase the company's industry-leading processes and capabilities in a compelling way. Through the use of digital touchscreen media, video displays and group activities, visitors to the galleries -- the inaugural one in Mexico City, the second in Singapore -- see, hear and experience firsthand how Mead Johnson sparks medical and scientific discoveries, and then incorporates those breakthroughs into its product development efforts.