Infant Nutrition Council

What Infant Nutrition Council does

The Infant Nutrition Council Ltd (INC) is the industry association representing infant formula and toddler milk manufacturers, marketers, and ingredient suppliers operating in Australia and New Zealand. Founded in 2009 through the amalgamation of the Infant Formula Manufacturers' Association of Australia (IFMAA) and the New Zealand Infant Formula Marketers' Association (NZIFMA), INC is incorporated in Australia and governed by its member companies through a board of directors. Its ordinary and associate members collectively account for over 95% of infant formula sales in Australia and New Zealand, positioning the organization as the single designated contact point for government engagement on sector policy, standards, and trade matters.

INC's core services are organized around four pillars: (1) government relations and regulatory advocacy, including direct engagement with FSANZ, the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, and state food safety bodies; (2) administration of self-regulatory marketing codes — the MAIF Agreement in Australia and the NZ Code of Practice — both aligned with the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes; (3) scientific and regulatory advisory services delivered through a dedicated committee and staff; and (4) trade and market access support, including international representation via ISDI and partnerships with the China Nutrition and Health Food Association (CNHFA) and the EU Chamber of Commerce in China. Supporting products include the biennial Feeding the Future conference, industry workshops, the INC Baby Feeding Programme for workplaces, and consumer-facing educational resources on breastmilk and formula preparation.

The business model is membership-based: ordinary members (manufacturers and marketers with board representation) and associate members (smaller-share operators and ingredient suppliers) pay annual membership fees and special levies set by the board, and agree to abide by the INC Code of Conduct. Leadership comprises CEO Jonathan Chew (appointed November 2023), Scientific & Regulatory Advisor Julie North (appointed October 2024), and Trade and Market Access Manager Simon Woolmer. The organization is privately held by its membership with no external parent, no fundraising activity, and no disclosed financial figures.

Name

Infant Nutrition Council

Legal name

Infant Nutrition Council Ltd

Website

https://infantnutritioncouncil.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Infant Nutrition Council is the Australian and New Zealand industry association representing over 95% of infant formula and toddler milk sales, providing regulatory advocacy, self-regulatory marketing codes, scientific advisory services, and trade and market access support to its member manufacturers, marketers, and ingredient suppliers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Association Services

NAICS

Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020)

akta.pro primary industry

Infant Formula & Specialized Dairy Nutrition Manufacturing (AFAKAKAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Infant Formula (Standard Cow’s Milk-Based) (CRADAEAA), Follow-On & Growing-Up Milk Formula Manufacturing (Stage 2/3+) (AFAHAHAB), Toddler & Growing-Up Milk (12+ months) (CRADAEAC), Infant & Toddler Nutrition Education (Complementary Feeding) (EDACAMAC)

Keywords

• Industry association
• Infant formula sector
• Regulatory advocacy
• Trade market access
• Marketing code compliance

Headquarters

HQ city

Australian Capital Territory

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: INC generates revenue through membership fees from Ordinary Members (manufacturers and marketers with board seats) and Associate Members (smaller market share companies). All members must abide by the INC Code of Conduct and pay annual membership fees and special levies set by the Board.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Infant Nutrition Council (INC) is an industry association that represents manufacturers, marketers, and ingredient suppliers of infant formula and toddler milk in Australia and New Zealand. It delivers membership-based services including government relations advocacy, scientific and regulatory advisory, trade and market access support, and self-regulatory marketing codes (MAIF Agreement and NZ Code of Practice) implementing the WHO Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes.

Product overview

The Infant Nutrition Council (INC) is an industry association, not a product company. It provides a suite of membership services including governance frameworks (INC Code of Conduct, MAIF Agreement, NZ Code of Practice), technical advisory services (Scientific and Regulatory Resources, Trade and Market Access Services), workplace support programs (Baby Feeding Programme), industry events (Feeding the Future conferences, workshops), and educational resources on infant feeding (breastmilk information, formula preparation guidelines). The organization represents manufacturers and marketers of infant formula and toddler milk in Australia and New Zealand, advocating for optimal infant nutrition and industry best practices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• INC Membership Services Membership program providing access to government relations, scientific and regulatory resources, trade and market access support, and industry best practice guidelines for infant formula and toddler milk companies in Australia and New Zealand.
• MAIF Agreement (Marketing in Australia of Infant Formulas) Australia's voluntary self-regulatory code of conduct for infant formula marketing, implementing the WHO Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes, covering manufacturers and importers of infant formula in Australia.
• INC Code of Practice for the Marketing of Infant Formula in New Zealand New Zealand's voluntary self-regulatory code for infant formula marketing, aligned with the WHO Code, applying to manufacturers and importers of infant formula up to 12 months of age.
• Scientific and Regulatory Advisory Services Technical resources and committee expertise providing regulatory guidance, industry positions, and government submissions on infant formula standards and requirements.
• Trade and Market Access Services Trade facilitation and market access support for Australian and New Zealand infant formula and toddler milk exports, including government submissions and international trade relations.
• Baby Feeding Programme A self-assessment industry program providing employers with resources to support best practice infant nutrition in the workplace, enabling breastfeeding or formula-feeding employees.
• Feeding the Future Conference Series Biennial conference series bringing together industry experts to discuss early life nutrition, regulation, innovation, scientific research, emerging trends, and trade topics, held alternately in Australia and New Zealand.

Quantifiable outcome

• Members represent over 95% of infant formula sales in Australia and New Zealand
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSANZ is a bi-national Government agency responsible for developing and administering the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. INC works with FSANZ on regulatory development and compliance for infant formula products.
• Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) - New ZealandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMPI plays a critical role in ensuring dairy including infant formula and toddler milk exports meet New Zealand food safety standards and requirements of overseas customers. INC collaborates with MPI on regulatory and trade matters.
• International Special Dietary Foods Industries (ISDI)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerINC is a member of ISDI, a Brussels-based international expert association representing the industry globally at Codex, World Health Assembly meetings, and WHO Executive Board meetings. INC CEO Jonathan Chew serves as ISDI Management Council member.
• Asia Pacific Infant and Young Children Nutrition Association (APIYCNA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPIYCNA is a not-for-profit organization set up to improve the nutritional wellbeing of infants and young children throughout the Asia Pacific region.
• Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFGC is the leading national organisation representing Australia's packaged food, drink and grocery products manufacturers.
• New Zealand Food and Grocery Council (NZFGC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNZFGC represents manufacturers and suppliers behind New Zealand's food, beverage, and grocery brands with members representing over $28 billion in domestic retail sales and $26 billion in exports.
• Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCANZ enables members to work collectively on public policy issues and engage in advocacy with authorities in New Zealand and overseas on dairy production, manufacturing, trade, and marketing matters.
• China Nutrition and Health Food Association (CNHFA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerINC works closely with CNHFA to support member companies' export business to China, providing market access and regulatory navigation assistance.
• European Union Chamber of Commerce in China - Paediatric Nutrition DeskcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerINC collaborates with the EU Chamber Paediatric Nutrition Desk to support export opportunities and navigate regulations in the China market.
• World Health Organization (WHO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINC adheres to the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and participates in relevant World Health Assembly meetings through ISDI membership.
• Dairy Food Safety VictoriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDFSV is responsible for regulating the Victorian dairy industry to safeguard public health and ensure consumer confidence in the safety and integrity of infant formula produced in Victoria.
• NSW Food AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe NSW Food Authority is responsible for regulating and monitoring food safety across the entire food industry supply chain in NSW, including infant formula products.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Infant Formula Council of America (IFFC): US-based trade association representing the major manufacturers and marketers of infant formula in the United States. Functionally equivalent to INC, with the same focus on market representation, WHO Code compliance, and trade advocacy.
• International Special Dietary Foods Industries (ISDI): Brussels-based international industry association representing the special dietary foods sector (including infant formula) globally at Codex, WHO, and World Health Assembly. INC is itself a member of ISDI, making it the most direct global peer.
• Asia Pacific Infant and Young Children Nutrition Association (APIYCNA): Not-for-profit industry association focused on infant and young children nutrition across the Asia Pacific region. INC is an active partner of APIYCNA, making it a closely aligned regional peer serving overlapping members.

Others

• European Union Chamber of Commerce in China - Paediatric Nutrition Desk: Specialised desk within the EU Chamber supporting European paediatric nutrition companies in China. INC works with this desk to support member export opportunities, positioning it as an enabling partner rather than a direct competitor.
• Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ): Bi-national government agency that develops and administers the AU/NZ Food Standards Code, including infant formula standards. Not a peer in the industry-representation sense, but the primary regulatory counterpart INC engages with on standards.

Regional players

• China Nutrition and Health Food Association (CNHFA): Chinese industry association for nutrition and health food products. INC partners with CNHFA to support members' exports to China, making it a regional counterpart serving a related but distinct market.
• Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ): Industry association for NZ dairy producers and exporters focused on trade policy, manufacturing, and marketing. INC works with DCANZ on dairy-related export and regulatory matters, making it a closely related dairy-sector peer.
• Food Industry Asia (FIA): Regional industry association representing leading food and beverage manufacturers in Asia Pacific. FIA is a comparable regional peer focused on policy advocacy and regulatory engagement for packaged food companies.

Broad incumbents

• Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC): Leading national peak body representing Australia's packaged food, drink, and grocery manufacturers. INC collaborates with AFGC, and AFGC is a broad comparator covering the wider food industry in which INC's members operate.
• New Zealand Food and Grocery Council (NZFGC): Represents NZ food, beverage, and grocery brands with members representing over $28B in domestic retail and $26B in exports. INC collaborates with NZFGC, and it is a national-level peer covering the broader grocery sector.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/infant-nutrition-council
• Xx.com/InfantCouncil

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Infant Nutrition Council