1905: Setting the Foundation for a Century of Caring
Mead Johnson was built on a foundation of science-based nutrition. It was one of the first companies in the United States to focus scientific research on nutrition for infants and children.
The company was founded in Jersey City, New Jersey, by Edward Mead Johnson, Sr. He started the company after leaving Johnson & Johnson, which he co-founded with his brother. Over the course of more than 100 years, Mead Johnson has introduced a wide range of innovative infant feeding products, pharmaceuticals and enteral and parenteral nutrition products.
1905: Helping People Lead Healthier Lives From the Beginning
Caroid, a digestive aid and one of the Company’s earliest products, helped the new venture thrive.
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1910: The First Infant Feeding Product
Mead Johnson introduced Dextrilactic-Powder, its first infant feeding product. This new product was a combination of digestive aids and dehydrated milk.
1911: A Major Breakthrough in Infant Formula
Company founder Edward Mead Johnson’s infant son, Ted, suffered from a life-threatening congenital heart condition, complicated by also not tolerating his feedings and becoming weaker. Desperate for help, the family consulted the foremost pediatrician in the United States, who prescribed a feeding mixture that helped save Ted’s life. Years later, the memory of this experience led E. Mead to develop Dextri Maltose, a specialty carbohydrate powder designed to be mixed with milk.
As the first clinically-supported, physician-recommended infant feeding product in the U.S., Dextri-Maltose laid the foundation for more innovative products designed to meet the nutritional needs of babies and their mothers.
1915: A New Home in the Midwest
During World War I, the supply of potato starch needed to make Dextri-Maltose could no longer be imported from Germany. As a result, the company needed to relocate to an area where corn, an alterative source of carbohydrate, was in abundant supply. In 1915, the company settled in Evansville, Indiana, where still it maintains its largest presence, including a Pediatric Nutrition Institute research facility and a manufacturing plant.
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1921: The Earliest Milk-Derived Product for Infants
More than one in five American children did not live to celebrate their fifth birthday in 1918, according to government health statistics. Gastrointestinal disorders and infant digestive problems were two of the leading causes of death. By the early 1920s, Mead Johnson introduced its first milk-derived product, a protein supplement called Casec, to help ease these issues.
1924: The First Standardized Dose of Vitamin D
Nearly two-thirds of American children in the early 1900s suffered from rickets, a devastating bone disease caused by a deficiency in vitamin D, according to The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. With few treatments available, Mead Johnson identified the beneficial properties in cod liver oil as a solution. In 1924, the company introduced Mead’s Standardized Cod Liver Oil, which provided physicians the first standardized dose of vitamin D.
1924: A Growing Presence in the Midwest
Mead Johnson opened the doors to its second domestic location in the United States when it purchased The Phenix Cheese Factory in Zeeland, Michigan, and transformed it into a facility capable of producing the company’s milk-derived products. Today the plant continues to produce many of Mead Johnson’s most successful products, is a major supplier of infant formula to the United States and Canada and provides key components to the company’s other manufacturing facilities around the world.
1925: Reconstructed Milks – The Forerunners of Modern Infant Formula
The forerunners of modern infant formula, reconstructed milks were created by breaking cow’s milk into its major nutritional components and reassembling them, along with other ingredients, into combinations thought to be more appropriate for infant feeding. In 1925, Mead Johnson introduced Recolac, reconstructed milk, followed in 1926 by Mead’s Powdered Lactid Acid Half Skim Milk.
1929: Help for Children with Cow’s Milk Protein Allergies
Following Recolac, Mead Johnson introduced Sobee Powder, which included soybean flour instead of cow’s milk as its protein source, to offer an option for children with cow’s milk protein allergy. Today, Mead Johnson has a wide range of products designed to help infants with allergies and other feeding issues.
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1933: Mead Johnson Launches Breakthrough Baby Cereal
Mead Johnson marked another nutritional science breakthrough with the introduction of Pablum cereal. Pablum was the first pre-cooked, vitamin and mineral-fortified instant infant cereal in the United States. The nutritional value and ease of preparation for parents made Pablum a huge success.
1935: New Insight Into Vitamin D
Mead Johnson’s vitamin research continued to advance with the introduction of Oleum Percomorphum syrup, valued as a source of vitamin D, which prevented rickets, and also provided a source of vitamin A. In 1936, Oleum Percomorphum in capsule form was introduced at the request of physicians. Oleum Percomorphum was the company’s top-selling product during the decade surrounding World War II.
1936: The Evolution of Reconstructed Milks
Mead Johnson’s next reconstructed milk product was Olac. Its formulation was significant because vegetable oils, instead of animal fats, were included as the fat component. The original Olac is no longer marketed, but a different infant formula named “Olac” is sold by Mead Johnson in several countries today.
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1942: New Intravenous Solution Available in the United States
Mead Johnson introduced Amigen, the first life-sustaining intravenous solution for nutrition available in the U.S. Amigen was in high demand following an ammonium nitrate explosion in Texas in 1947, which claimed nearly 600 lives and injured thousands more. Mead Johnson sent shipments of Amigen to help those injured in the blast.
1942: New Choice for Infants with Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy
Nutramigen was the first protein hydrolysate formula in the United States for infants with cow’s milk protein allergy. It was a breakthrough in nutrition and remains one of Mead Johnson’s most important products.
1949: An Evolution in Pediatric Vitamins
Mead Johnson introduced the first line of water-soluble pediatric vitamins, called Vi-Sols. Today they remain the leading physician-recommended pediatric vitamins.
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1956: Expanding the Company’s Reach
Mead Johnson International was formed as a separate division to provide a framework for conducting business overseas. Today Mead Johnson has over 70 products in more than 50 markets worldwide.
1957: Mead Johnson Opens a Manufacturing Facility in Mexico
Mead Johnson’s first Mexican manufacturing facility was built in Mexico City. That same year, the company was recognized by the Medical Pharmaceutical Foundation of the Republic of Mexico as the company having made the greatest contribution to the nation’s public health.
Today Mexico City is the site of the company’s Latin America regional headquarters and the Mead Johnson Pediatric Nutrition Institute, Latin America. Mead Johnson operates a manufacturing facility in Delicias, Mexico.
1958: The Introduction of Lofenalac
Lofenalac paved the way for Mead Johnson’s extensive line of metabolic formulas. It was the first commercial formula for infants with Phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare condition that prevents the body from breaking down an amino acid called phenylalanine.
1959: The First Weight Loss Product Hits Shelves
Mead Johnson launched Metrecal, the first measured-calorie dietary product in the United States. The product received positive reviews from the medical community and evolved into a popular line of drinks, cookies and soups. The company marketed Metrecal until the early 1970s.
1959: The Introduction of Enfamil®
The original Enfamil, introduced in powder form and also as a concentrated liquid, was the company’s first routine infant formula designed to be patterned after the nutritional composition of breast milk. Innovative for several reasons, Enfamil was formulated with nine percent of its calories included in the form of protein, which more closely matched human milk. Enfamil was the first routine infant formula in the United States to include added levels of the important nutrients choline and inositol.
Introduced in 1964, Nursette® bottles revolutionized infant feeding in the U.S. by providing Enfamil in new ready-to-use bottles with disposable, sterilized nipples – offering nourishment for children and convenience for their parents.
Since its creation, Enfamil has undergone several significant reformulations, each one designed to bring it nutritionally closer to the composition of breast milk.
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1963: Helping People with Respiratory Issues
Mucomyst, a mucus-dissolving agent, became the first effective treatment for respiratory problems. Nearly two decades later, Mucomyst – along with two other Mead Johnson products, Desyrel and Questran – were recognized by the Physicians’ Desk Reference for helping make the past 40 years the most productive in the history of medical science.
1965: Expanding Options for Children with Cow’s Milk Allergy
ProSobee, the first infant formula in the United States with soy protein isolated from whole soy flour, was introduced for infants with difficulty tolerating routine milk-based infant formula.
1967: Mead Johnson Acquired By Bristol-Myers
Mead Johnson became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bristol-Myers (now Bristol-Myers Squibb Company) and remained a part of the company until once again becoming a separate company in 2009.
1968: Growth in Asia
To support the company’s growing presence in Asia, Mead Johnson completed construction of a manufacturing facility in Manila, in the Philippines.
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1971: Feeding Solutions for Fat Malabsorption
Through aggressive advancements and research, scientists developed a formula that catered to infants who were unable to properly absorb fats. The product, Pregestimil, offered a nutritionally complete infant formula for babies with fat absorption problems due to conditions such as cystic fibrosis.
1975: Sustagen® Evolves Into a Nutritional Supplement for Children
First developed as a tube feeding product, Sustagen evolved into a popular nutritional supplement beverage for children. As a major product in Asia and Latin America in the 1970s, today Sustagen remains a nutritious supplement that can help children meet the daily needs for macronutrients and essential vitamins and minerals.
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1980: Growth in Western Europe Fuels Mead Johnson’s Presence Overseas
Mead Johnson’s presence in Western Europe expanded in the 1980s, with the company offering nutrition products for infants and older babies. In the years that followed, Mead Johnson entered several additional markets throughout Central and Eastern Europe.
1983: Reformulating Enfamil in the U.S.
In the U.S., Enfamil was reformulated to have a 60:40 whey-to-casein protein component, similar to that of typical mature human milk (15 days to six months after birth). A few months later, the company introduced Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier, which when added to breast milk increased levels of protein, calories, iron, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins and other nutrients for premature and low-birth-weight babies.
1984: Feeding Children Around the World
In Hong Kong, Mead Johnson introduced Enfapro, a follow-on formula for older babies. The product was specifically designed to provide balanced nutrition to support a baby’s transition from breast milk or infant formula to cow’s milk.
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1993: Expansion in Asia
Mead Johnson entered into an agreement with the Chinese government to build an infant formula manufacturing facility in Guangzhou, China. Two years later, the plant was built and today produces several of the leading brands available to mothers and children in the region. In 1998, the company opened an office in Bangkok, Thailand, where it also operates one of three manufacturing facilities in Asia.
1995: Increasing Leadership in Europe
The launch of several specialized formulas became successful in both Central and Eastern Europe. Olac, Enfalac 1 and 2, ProSobee, Pregestimil and Nutramigen became market leaders in Scandinavia.
1997: Enfamil A.R. is Introduced in Eight Countries
For the first time, Mead Johnson introduced a product, Enfamil A.R. infant formula, simultaneously in eight Latin American countries.
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2000: A New Formula Supporting Brain and Eye Development
Mead Johnson introduced Enfamil A+ in Hong Kong, the company’s first product including the important nutrients DHA and ARA. Found naturally in breast milk, both nutrients are important for brain and eye development. Under various other names, including “Enfamil LIPIL” and “Enfamil PREMIUM,” the product was later introduced in the United States, Canada, Latin America and Europe.
2002: Introduction of Enfamil LIPIL in the United States
In 2002, Enfamil LIPIL was introduced as the first infant formula in the U.S. to include DHA and ARA, nutrients important for brain and eye development. The company also launched Enfamil Premature LIPIL, Enfamil LactoFree LIPIL and Enfamil ProSobee LIPIL by the end of the same year.
2004: Mead Johnson Introduces Specialty Feeding Line for Infant Metabolism Difficulties
Mead Johnson completed its introduction of a new line of 17 products specifically designed for the dietary management of infants with inborn errors of metabolism.
2005: A Century of Caring
Mead Johnson celebrated its first 100 years.
2008: More Options for Children with Cow’s Milk Allergy
Mead Johnson launched Nutramigen® AA™ LIPIL infant formula, a hypoallergenic amino acid-based formula for infants and toddlers with severe cow's milk protein allergy.
The following year, the company introduced Nutramigen with Enflora LGG that included the addition of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG – also known as LGG. LGG is the widely-studied probiotic, with more than 40 clinical trials conducted in infants and children. The first to use this extensive array of scientific support, Mead Johnson added LGG to Nutramigen to help support the strength of the intestinal barrier of the allergic infant.
2009: New Enfamil Family of Formulas Are Introduced
Enfamil underwent several modifications to improve the formulation. In 2009, Enfamil PREMIUM® infant formula with Triple Health Guard™ was introduced to the U.S. to promote healthy brain and eye development. By 2010, the product also included nutrients needed for healthy physical growth and development, including Natural Defense™ Dual Prebiotics, which was designed to help support a baby’s own defenses.
2009: A New Chapter for Mead Johnson
Mead Johnson began its separation from Bristol-Myers Squibb and today is a fully independent public company.
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2010: Mead Johnson Launches Tailored Newborn Formula
Mead Johnson launched Enfamil PREMIUM® Newborn in the United States, the first formula tailored to the needs of infants in their first three months. This product is part of Enfamil Staged Formulas. In addition, Enfagrow® PREMIUM with added Wellmune Beta (beta symbol) Glucan for immune support was launched in several markets in Asia and Latin America.
2010: Mead Johnson Introduces Environmentally-Friendly Packaging
The Enfamil reusable tub and refill system introduced in the U.S. not only offered increased value and convenience for customers, but also the potential for significant reduction in the carbon footprint of the packaging involved – up to 35 percent less packaging materials, 60 percent less energy, and 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions under a typical use scenario, compared to the previous packaging.
2010/2011: Ongoing Commitment to Innovation, Quality and Science
The development of the Mead Johnson Pediatric Nutrition Institute, or MJPNI, exemplifies the company’s commitment to the advancement of science and pediatric nutrition. Mead Johnson has three MJPNI locations – one in the U.S., one in Mexico and one in China.
2011: Enfamil® Human Milk Fortifier Acidified Liquid Launches in U.S.
Mead Johnson introduced Enfamil® Human Milk Fortifier Acidified Liquid in the U.S., which was developed specifically for breastfed babies born prematurely or with low birth weight.
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