‘Proteinmaxxing’ drives whey demand, pushing infant formula prices higher.

The UK’s infant formula market is facing a fresh bout of cost-push inflation as demand for whey protein surges. The ‘proteinmaxxing’ trend, boosted further by growing use of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, has increased demand for whey, pushing its price from €11,733 to €25,875 per tonne in a year. As whey is a key input into formula, manufacturers face rising costs and have already passed some of these on: average formula prices are up 4.8%. Further price rises could follow unless whey costs ease, although greater use of D90, an alternative for whey protein, offers a possible alternative.

‘Proteinmaxxing’ could lead to higher prices for infant formula, say experts | Food & drink industry | The Guardian

1. Explain how increased demand for whey protein from other uses could affect its price and availability to infant formula producers.

2. Using a demand and supply diagram, explain how rising costs of producing infant formula could lead to higher prices.

3. Discuss policies the government could introduce to help keep infant formula affordable for families.