Danone has announced the launch of the “first ever formula milk in Europe to be sold in a pre-measured tab format”.

Danone is producing this format innovation at its formula milk production facility in Wexford, through a manufacturing partnership with Japanese food manufacture, Meiji.

The new formula milk tabs dissolve easily, with one tab equal to one standard scoop of powdered formula.

Danone expects the new format to “help cut down on mess” when preparing a formula feed, making the new format useful – in particular for night-time feeds.

Jean Michel Lequin, director of Danone’s Wexford formula milk production facility, commented, stating: “We’ve seen how in other food categories – like coffee and culinary stocks – introducing portion controlled and dosed formats has been a game changer for consumers, who look for more convenience and ease.

“We believe this format innovation has the potential to revolutionise the formula milk category in Europe.”

Speaking about the production of this format innovation in Wexford, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon said:

Ireland has a strong record in food research and innovation, and this, along with the worldwide reputation of our grass-fed dairy production system, makes it an attractive location for new product development.

“I’m very pleased that Danone, a global company, chose its Wexford plant as the location to produce this innovative new product.”

Danone is initially launching this format innovation in the UK “in response to parents’ desire for greater convenience and ease when preparing formula feeds”.

Following a “successful launch of this format innovation” in the UK, Danone plans to begin offering this new format in other countries in Europe as of 2022.

Danone’s Wexford factory employs 350 people and produces dairy products for consumers in 41 countries around the world.

Last year, it became the first formula milk production site in the world to be certified carbon neutral by the Carbon Trust, an independent global climate change and sustainability consultancy.