Professor Gerrit Smit from Yili's innovation center in Europe makes some opening remarks during the ESPGHAN 52nd Annual Meeting, which opened in Glasgow, Britain on June 5. [Photo/Yili Group]

Yili Group, China's largest dairy company, was recognized for its research on breastfeeding from experts and scholars attending the ESPGHAN 52nd Annual Meeting held in Glasgow, Britain on June 5-8.

The meeting was organized by the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHA). Established in 1968, ESPGHA is a leading global organization whose aim is to improve the health of children.

Professor Adrienne Weiss from Yili's innovation center in Europe said that the make-up of breast milk is complicated and varies among races.

Researchers working for Yili Group discovered that breast milk from people in China and the Netherlands show differences in protein content.

And after further studies, Yili researchers concluded that the components of breast milk vary based on nationality.

In order to provide formula milk for new-borns in China, Yili has been studying the breast milk of Chinese mothers since 2003.

The company established a Chinese Breast Milk Database, the first of its kind in China. Its major research achievements have been recognized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

According to a report on the market share of Chinese formula milk brands released by Nielsen, a leading global market research company, the market share of domestically made formula milk brands has grown from 40.7 percent in 2017 to 43.7 percent this year, with overall retail sales growing to 21.1 percent.

The growing market share shows that consumer confidence in Chinese formula milk brands has rebounded from downturn several years ago.