The Directorate of Health Services, Government of Kerala, has officially condemned advertisements promoting artificial milk as a substitute for breastfeeding. In a recent Facebook post, the department referred to the claims made in such advertisements—stating that formula causes no allergies or abdominal discomfort in babies—as “false promotional campaigns.”

This public stance appears to be triggered by a growing narrative around breastfeeding versus supplementation, influenced by findings in a recently published study.

Study highlights loss of gut-friendly bacteria in infants

A new study published in the journal Nature has raised concerns over infant gut health in the United States. It revealed that approximately three-quarters of babies may lack sufficient beneficial bacteria, placing them at risk for conditions such as allergies, eczema, and asthma.

The study, which observed over 400 infants, found that 76 per cent had low or undetectable levels of Bifidobacterium, a genus of microbes crucial for digesting sugars found in breast milk. Notably, 24 per cent of the babies had no detectable trace of the bacteria, and a specific species, B. infantis, previously dominant in infant guts, was absent in 92 per cent of samples.

Significantly, researchers found that even breastfed infants—particularly those born via Caesarean section—often lacked sufficient levels of Bifidobacterium. This suggests that breast milk alone may not be adequate to restore microbial balance in some babies.

The absence of this microbe, despite breastfeeding in several cases, indicates a broader change in microbial transmission patterns. Experts pointed to modern factors such as widespread antibiotic use, processed diets, and reduced intake of naturally fermented foods as contributors to the generational decline of Bifidobacterium in both mothers and infants.

The study established a strong correlation between low levels of Bifidobacterium and a heightened risk of developing allergic conditions by the age of two. Infants with deficient gut bacteria were at least three times more likely to develop eczema, asthma, or other allergies. Those administered antibiotics faced a 3.3 times greater risk of such health issues.

To counter this imbalance, researchers at Persephone Biosciences are conducting clinical trials on a dietary supplement comprising Bifidobacterium, human milk sugars, and vitamin D. The supplement aims to restore microbial health in infants who may not fully benefit from breastfeeding. Results from this trial are anticipated later this year.

Although some studies suggest probiotics could reduce inflammation-related diseases in children, regulatory bodies such as the US Food and Drug Administration have urged caution, especially for premature infants. The long-term safety of probiotic usage in infants remains under assessment.

The researchers intend to track the participating children’s health over the next seven years. The goal is to understand the long-term consequences of early microbial imbalance and evaluate the potential benefits of supplementation, either alongside or in place of breast milk-derived bacteria.

It is learnt that this study may have played a role in fuelling the ongoing debate over breastfeeding versus supplementation. The Kerala health department's recent social media intervention appears to have been prompted by these developments and by marketing claims made in support of formula milk.