Vietnamese nutrition company Nutifood is accelerating its global ambitions after securing a U.S. patent for its proprietary FDI Formula and launching a new U.S.-focused nutrition brand centered on premium A2 dairy products.
Nutifood's latest moves suggest a broader ambition is emerging: building globally recognized nutritional science and intellectual property from Vietnam itself.
Patent Validates Proprietary Science
The patented formula, developed since 2020 by Nutifood's Swedish research arm, combines 2'-FL HMO, a breast milk oligosaccharide that supports immune development, with FOS, a soluble fiber that balances beneficial gut bacteria.
According to the USPTO's assessment, the FDI Formula is distinguished by its proprietary combination ratio of 2'-FL HMO and FOS, supported by a clinical evaluation system demonstrating simultaneous benefits for both digestive and immune health in young children.
That scientific positioning has become increasingly central to Nutifood's broader growth strategy. A 2021 clinical study conducted by Vietnam's National Institute of Nutrition found that the formula helped improve common pediatric digestive issues including loss of appetite, constipation and diarrhea, while also supporting a reduced risk of respiratory infections. Since then, the FDI Formula has been integrated across Nutifood's GrowPLUS+ portfolio, one of Vietnam's leading nutritional brands for children.
The patent's significance also lies in where it was granted. Widely regarded as one of the world's most rigorous intellectual property systems, the USPTO evaluates inventions against stringent standards for novelty, utility and real-world applicability
"Nutifood FDI Formula being granted a patent by the USPTO is evidence of Nutifood's serious commitment to investing in nutritional science research," said Tran Bao Minh, Vice Chairman of Nutifood. "This achievement further strengthens our confidence in the journey we have steadfastly pursued for many years."
American Expansion Takes Shape
Concurrent with the patent announcement, Nutifood announced the establishment of Nutifood America-Nutrition Science, signaling ambitions beyond Southeast Asian markets.
U.S. Consul General Melissa A. Brown acknowledged the cross-border collaboration. She noted that scientific initiatives and commercial collaboration between Vietnamese and U.S. enterprises would contribute to fostering innovation while strengthening bilateral economic ties.
The new brand is built on the proprietary Nutifood FDI Formula patented by the USPTO, integrating advanced U.S. nutritional science and technology, utilizing premium A2 protein sourced from purebred A2 dairy herds and essential nutrients. Nutifood America-Nutrition Science aims to develop premium A2 GrowPLUS+ formula nutrition product lines to meet consumers' growing nutritional demands.
Entering a High-Growth Segment
The timing of Nutifood's U.S. market entry appears strategic.
According to Grand View Research, the U.S. A2 milk market generated $646.9 million in revenue in 2024 and is projected to reach $1.79 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 18.5%. The growth has been driven by rising consumer interest in digestive wellness, ingredient transparency and functional nutrition.
Against that backdrop, Nutifood appears to be positioning itself at the intersection of two increasingly valuable assets in the global nutrition industry: proprietary science and premium ingredient sourcing. By combining A2 protein with its USPTO-patented FDI Formula, the company is targeting a segment where consumers have shown a growing willingness to pay for clinically positioned nutritional products.
Glenn Millar, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Global Markets at the California Milk Advisory Board, suggested the patent provides a foundation for Nutifood to develop specialized nutritional solutions aligned with international standards. "An approach combining modern nutritional science with research into children's physical conditions and specific nutritional needs unlocks new opportunities for innovation in the future of children's nutrition," Millar said.
More broadly, the developments reflect the changing trajectory of Vietnam's dairy industry itself.
Founded more than 25 years ago, Nutifood has steadily expanded beyond its domestic market, building manufacturing operations across Vietnam, Sweden and Australia while developing research partnerships with global nutrition companies including BASF, DuPont and DSM-Firmenich. In 2025, the company also partnered with ViPlus Dairy to launch the premium dairy brand GippsNature.
The USPTO patent and U.S. expansion mark a significant milestone in Nutifood's global journey. With proprietary innovation now protected under one of the world's most rigorous patent systems, the company is helping position Vietnamese nutrition science on the international stage.
