Bovine β‐lactoglobulin levels in hydrolysed protein formulas for infant feeding

Summary A bovine milk protein, β‐lactoglobulin (βLG), was measured by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in seven different infant formulas based on protein hydrolysates from cows' milk whey or casein, and from bovine collagen and soy. βLG levels in the formulas were 1/100 to 1/4800 000 lower than in cows' milk (CM). There was a great difference in the βLG level between the partly and the extensively hydrolysed formulas; the amount of βLG was 40 000‐fold higher in the partial hydrolysates vs the extensively hydrolysed formulas. Residual βLG may have been responsible for the allergic reactions described in some children with cows' milk allergy (CMA) receiving these formulas.