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Brand founded in Switzerland, 1866 · about the brand
Nestle LACTOGROW Nutritious Milk Drink Powder
Scored for ages 12–35 months — the pack says "2-6 years".
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 7.2 ShowHide
One axis (Processing) scores low — a strong overall average can mask a single weak area. See the lanes above.
Reviewed 8 times · Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This milk drink powder is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of growing children, providing essential milk solids, fats, vitamins, and minerals. The specific blend of vegetable oils is standard for infant and follow-up formulas, designed to mimic the fatty acid profile of breast milk. However, the presence of maltodextrin, a rapidly absorbed carbohydrate, and undisclosed nature-identical flavouring substances are points of concern for a child's diet. While the probiotic is beneficial, the lack of transparency regarding the emulsifier and flavouring, combined with the use of maltodextrin, means it's not an ideal choice for consistent consumption by young children, especially those with developing palates or sensitivities.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Milk Solids
- Demineralised whey
- Low erucic rapeseed oil
- Coconut oil
- Minerals
- +5 more →
Declared allergens: Milk and Soy
Relevant if you have any of these allergies or intolerances.
Based on the declared ingredient list. This is a risk only to people with the allergy, not a general-population safety issue, so it does not lower the safety score.
Formulated for children, but contains maltodextrin and undisclosed flavouring.
This milk drink powder provides nutrients for children, including a beneficial probiotic. However, it contains maltodextrin, a rapidly absorbed carbohydrate, and uses undisclosed nature-identical flavouring substances, which can be a concern for children's developing health and dietary habits. The emulsifier is also not specifically identified.
Concern breakdown
Score out of 10 · higher = fewer concernsHow this product performs on each concern we check for baby. This is a breakdown of the same evidence behind the score above — not a separate verdict.
Saturated fat 9.5 g · trans fat 0.1 g per 100 g/ml
1 concern could not be assessed from this label. That means we don't know — not that there's nothing to find.
Infants under 1
LimitThis product is a follow-up formula, not an infant formula for babies under 6 months. Consult a pediatrician for appropriate feeding guidance.
Toddlers & young children (1–5)
LimitWHO does not recommend follow-up formula for children aged 12–23 months, and the American Academy of Pediatrics says most toddlers gain no benefit from toddler milk over cow's milk and a varied diet. That is a view on the whole category, not a finding about this product. The nutrition panel declares 15 g of added sugars per 100 g, but the ingredient list names no added sugar. The brand may be counting an ingredient such as maltodextrin, or the panel may be wrong, so we have not scored on that figure. WHO advises against adding free sugars to foods for children under 2.
Other audiences
LimitThe presence of nature-identical flavouring substances may influence taste preferences and could be a concern for children learning to appreciate natural food flavors.
What's good
Contains essential milk solids, vitamins, and minerals for child development.
Includes a beneficial probiotic (Limosilactobacillus reuteri) for gut health.
The blend of vegetable oils is standard and appropriate for infant/follow-up formulas, providing necessary fatty acids.
Watch out for
Maltodextrin is a rapidly absorbed carbohydrate that may not be ideal for consistent consumption by young children.
Lack of transparency regarding the specific nature-identical flavouring substances and emulsifier.
Acidity Regulator (525) — acidity regulators (typically citric acid INS 330 or sodium/potassium citrate INS 331/332) adjust and buffer pH. They are among the most benign, extensively-studied food additives — citric acid occurs naturally in citrus fruit — and are FSSAI/EFSA-approved as safe. Noted only as a low-level, transparency point because the label gives the additive class/code rather than the name.
Decode Label Analysis
The product contains 'Nature-Identical Flavouring Substances' without specific disclosure, which can be a concern for children with sensitivities or for parents who prefer full transparency in their child's diet.
The emulsifier is not specifically identified, which is a transparency concern for a product intended for children.
Claim check
Front-of-pack marketing claims checked against this product's actual ingredients and nutrition. "Can't verify" means the label does not provide enough information to check the claim — it is not the same as the claim being false.
This is the maker’s regulatory age/stage designation for the product — an ingredient list can’t confirm or deny it, so it’s classified separately rather than flagged as a doubtful claim.
ACTIV PRO is a proprietary name that cannot be matched to a specific listed ingredient or confirmed from the label.
A growth, brain, immunity or "clinically proven" claim on food for babies and toddlers needs clinical evidence that a label cannot show. WHO Europe's model treats such claims on baby food as inappropriate, so this is weighed like a professional-endorsement claim.
The nutrition information confirms the presence of Protein, Calcium, and Vitamin D.
The nutrition information confirms the presence of a-Linolenic Acid (ALA), which is an Omega 3 fatty acid, and Iron.
The nutrition information confirms the presence of multiple B vitamins, including Thiamine (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12.
The ingredients list 'Probiotic (Limosilactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17938^^))'.
The ingredients list 'Nature-Identical Flavouring Substances', which supports the flavour claim.
Read straight from the back-of-pack photo — quantities, sections and any disguised terms, so the small print can’t hide behind the marketing.
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1.
Milk solids 52.8%Milk solids (52.8%)
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2.
Maltodextrin
-
3.
Demineralised whey 7.9%Demineralised whey (7.9%)
-
4.
Soybean oilSoyabean oil
-
5.
Low erucic rapeseed oil
-
6.
Coconut oil
-
7.
Minerals unnamed
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8.
High oleic sunflower oil
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9.
Sunflower oil
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10.
EmulsifierEmulsifier (Soya lecithin)
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11.
Nature-identical flavouring substances undisclosed fragranceNature-identical (Biscuity and Vanilla) flavouring substances
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12.
Choline bitartrate
-
13.
Vitamins unnamed
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14.
Probiotic (Limosilactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17938^^))
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15.
Acidity Regulator (525) unnamed
In label order — normally largest quantity first. Select a row for the full write-up and sources.
These are major food allergens named on the ingredient list. They are a risk only to people allergic to them — not a general-population safety issue — so they do not lower the safety score. Anyone with the allergy should avoid this product, and check the pack’s own allergen statement.
✓ Decode Label Assessment: Favorable ⚠ Decode Label Assessment: Concern Decode Label Assessment: Neutral
Who should take caution
About this ingredient
No detailed safety data in our database yet for this ingredient.
Learn More
| Energy | 467 kcal |
| Protein | 14.2 g |
| Carbohydrate | 59.8 g |
| Total Sugars | 29 g |
| Added Sugars | 15 g |
| Total Fat | 19 g |
| Saturated Fat | 9.5 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.1 g |
| Sodium | 160 mg |
Nutrient colours use adult dietary reference values, which don't apply to infant formula — so the regulation-mandated breast-milk composition (sugar/lactose and fat) is shown neutral here rather than flagged as a concern. Sodium and trans fat keep their normal colour banding. The "added sugars" line on a formula panel normally counts lactose, so read it with that in mind.
Compare with other baby food products
Assessed using the same Decode Label methodology, sorted by score. Each score reflects the information available for that product at the time of assessment.
Rorosaur Khichdi Porridge Mix Baby Food
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Early Foods Dry Fruit & Seed Mix Powder
9.1Early foods
Nestle NAN EXCELLAPRO Stage 1 Infant Formula Milk Powder
8.8Nestle
Lactogen Pro 1 Powder, Infant Formula Up To 6 Months With Probiotic And Prebiotics
8.8Nestle
Adecil Instant Sprouted Baby Food
8.7Adecil
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What are the ingredients in Nestle LACTOGROW Nutritious Milk Drink Powder?
The label of Nestle LACTOGROW Nutritious Milk Drink Powder lists 15 ingredients, in label order: Milk Solids, Maltodextrin, Demineralised whey, Soybean oil, Low erucic rapeseed oil, Coconut oil, Minerals, High oleic sunflower oil, Sunflower oil, Emulsifier, Nature-Identical Flavouring Substances, Choline bitartrate, Vitamins, Probiotic (Limosilactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17938^^)), Acidity Regulator (525). Flagged by the analysis: Acidity Regulator (525).
Is Nestle LACTOGROW Nutritious Milk Drink Powder safe to eat?
Nestle LACTOGROW Nutritious Milk Drink Powder scores 7.2/10 on Decode Label (Moderate). This milk drink powder provides nutrients for children, including a beneficial probiotic. However, it contains maltodextrin, a rapidly absorbed carbohydrate, and uses undisclosed nature-identical flavouring substances, which can be a concern for children's developing health and dietary habits. The emulsifier is also not specifically identified.
Why does Nestle LACTOGROW Nutritious Milk Drink Powder score 7.2/10?
What the analysis notes: Maltodextrin is a rapidly absorbed carbohydrate that may not be ideal for consistent consumption by young children. Lack of transparency regarding the specific nature-identical flavouring substances and emulsifier. Acidity Regulator (525) — acidity regulators (typically citric acid INS 330 or sodium/potassium citrate INS 331/332) adjust and buffer pH. They are among the most benign, extensively-studied food additives — citric acid occurs naturally in citrus fruit — and are FSSAI/EFSA-approved as safe. Noted only as a low-level, transparency point because the label gives the additive class/code rather than the name.
Who should avoid Nestle LACTOGROW Nutritious Milk Drink Powder?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Children with developing palates; Children with sensitivities to undisclosed ingredients; Individuals with milk or soy allergies.
Is Nestle LACTOGROW Nutritious Milk Drink Powder suitable for babies or young children?
Infants under 1: Limit. Toddlers & young children (1–5): Limit.
Does Nestle LACTOGROW Nutritious Milk Drink Powder contain allergens?
Yes — the ingredient list contains milk (Milk Solids and Demineralised whey) and soy (Soybean oil). Check the allergen statement on the pack too if you have a diagnosed allergy.
Does Nestle LACTOGROW Nutritious Milk Drink Powder contain milk?
Yes — the ingredient list names Milk Solids and Demineralised whey. People with milk allergy / lactose intolerance should treat it as containing milk, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
Does Nestle LACTOGROW Nutritious Milk Drink Powder contain soy?
Yes — the ingredient list names Soybean oil. People with soy allergy should treat it as containing soy, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
Are the claims on the Nestle LACTOGROW Nutritious Milk Drink Powder pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 8 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "2-6 YEARS" — can't be verified from the label. "ACTIV PRO" — can't be verified from the label. "Nutritious Milk Drink For Growing Children" — can't be verified from the label.
Is Nestle LACTOGROW Nutritious Milk Drink Powder vegetarian?
Nestle LACTOGROW Nutritious Milk Drink Powder is marked vegetarian.
Answers are generated from this product's own Decode Label analysis — the score, the ingredient list and the label claims shown above. Always check the pack itself for allergen and dietary information.
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Recipes change and packs get reformulated. If the ingredients or the panel on the pack in your hand differ from what we show, tell us and we will check it.
About this analysis: Based on declared label information and available evidence. Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test products, and a score is not a regulatory determination or medical advice.
Disclaimer: Safety scores are Decode Label-generated assessments based on publicly available regulatory data (FSSAI, WHO, EFSA, IARC) and peer-reviewed research. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, and they are not a regulatory determination, a laboratory safety certification or a medical diagnosis. Ingredient safety can vary by individual health conditions, concentration, and usage context. Decode Label is an independent information service and scores every brand by the same rules. No brand pays for or influences its score. Our founder also founded the personal-care brand Botani Bestie (see our story); its products are scored exactly like everyone else's. Data limitations: This assessment is based on the information declared on the product label and the evidence sources above — Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test this product. Ingredient concentrations, sourcing and manufacturing can vary between batches and are not always disclosed. A finding that is not shown here means it was not identified from the available label information, not that it has been ruled out.
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