Five Signals the HMO Food Track Has Already Broken Out

If you are a factory producing biscuits, rice cereal, or dairy products, you need to read this carefully.

This is not trend analysis. It is not speculative forecasting. These are facts that have already happened.

The HMO track is breaking out at visible speed. And the time left for observers may be shorter than expected.

Signal 1: Xiaolulanlan Has Already Launched the First HMO Infant Biscuit

In March 2026, Xiaolulanlan (under Three Squirrels) launched its first HMO-added infant biscuit product under infant food standards, with calcium, iron, zinc, and DHA enhancement.

The commercial context is critical: Xiaolulanlan ranked first in online infant snacks and complementary foods sales in 2025, with annual revenue close to RMB 800 million.

A complementary food leader with RMB 800 million annual revenue has already put HMO into biscuits. While some are still hesitating, others have already sold the first batch.

Signal 2: Policy Is Open — Adding HMO to Biscuits/Rice Cereal Is Fully Compliant

In May 2025, China's National Health Commission announced that 2'-FL approval was expanded to infant cereal-based complementary foods and canned complementary foods.

HMO can be added to infant rice cereal and infant biscuits — the compliance pathway is already open.

Akita Manman launched the world's first HMO organic formula rice cereal immediately after policy expansion. Once policy opened, the track filled quickly.

Signal 3: 130+ HMO Products Are Launching Together — Dairy Giants Are Fully Committed

At CIIE in November 2025, HMO became a major focus area, with more than 130 HMO-containing infant formula products displayed. Leading brands including a2, Wyeth, and Arla launched or previewed HMO-related products, and Wyeth introduced a 10-HMO formula.

This is not a test by one or two companies. It is an industry-wide turn.

Signal 4: USD 8.8 Billion Global Market — This Is a Major Industry Direction

• Global market size was about USD 4.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 8.8 billion by 2032
• CAGR is approximately 10.2%
• Major players include Abbott, Mead Johnson, Wyeth, Danone, and FrieslandCampina

At the clinical level, Abbott completed an HMO study involving 607 infants.

When a market with CAGR above 10% is obvious to everyone, the best window is usually already gone.

Signal 5: Domestic HMO Ingredient Supply Has Matured — No Longer Import-Dependent

• October 2023: Humacro received first-batch approval for 2'-FL
• May 2025: LNnT received approval
• February 2026: 3'-SL received first approval

As a result, Mengniu Humacro became the first Chinese company approved for all three major HMOs (2'-FL, LNnT, 3'-SL), with >99% purity and a World Dairy Innovation Award.

Domestic supply chain maturity, stable availability, and controllable cost are now in place. Raw material readiness, policy access, and end-market validation are aligned.

What This Means for Factories

Early movers take the upside, late movers take leftovers.

When most manufacturers remain in standard biscuit categories, HMO-enabled products create visible functional differentiation. The infant formula category has already shown that early entrants accumulate formulation know-how, brand recognition, and channel access faster.

Snacks and complementary foods are now entering the same cycle.

What to Do Now

1. Reassess your product portfolio and identify HMO-fit categories
2. Engage HMO suppliers on specs, compliance packages, and dosage approaches
3. Start R&D sampling and pilot formulation work
4. Align commercialization plans with infant food compliance requirements

The window is shrinking, but not fully closed yet.

About Morika Bio

Morika Bio focuses on HMO (human milk oligosaccharide) ingredient supply and technical services, and has supported development and launch of multiple HMO functional food products.

Core products include 2'-FL and LNnT with >99% purity, aligned with food safety requirements.

Services include HMO dosage/application technical support, regulatory consulting, and customized product development.

We welcome cooperation with biscuit, dairy, and complementary food factories to jointly develop the HMO functional food market.

References

1. Xiaolulanlan HMO Infant Biscuit: https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5272342817148646
2. Akita Manman HMO Organic Rice Cereal: http://m.toutiao.com/group/7504144335887041024/
3. Yingshang HMO Organic Rice Cereal: http://www.yingshang99.com/m/news.asp?id=303
4. Wyeth 10-HMO Launch: http://www.sznews.com/news/content/2025-08/04/content_31652238.htm
5. Humacro Three HMO Approvals: https://app.xinhuanet.com/news/article.html?articleId=743e7a3d84cec8e02698724926ce36ca
6. CIIE HMO 130+ Product Wave: http://m.163.com/dy/article/KE307P3905383MLM.html
7. Abbott HMO Clinical Research: https://www.abbott.com/en-us/corpnewsroom/nutrition-health-and-wellness/with-infant-formula-innovating-means-getting-ever-closer-to-breast-milk
8. Global HMO Market Forecast (YH Research): https://www.yhresearch.co.jp/reports/1257082/hmo-infant-formula