Pure Goat produces complete infant formula and follow-on formula based on goat’s milk.
Their products are unique in the Netherlands. They only add goat lactose and work with sustainable and locally produced ingredients. In addition, their products are organic certified. Frank Dekker, one of the founders of the company, tells in this article more about it.
The beginning
Frank Dekker is one of the founders of Pure Goat Company. The idea for the company is based on his personal story.
“My son did not react well on bottle formula. He suffered from cramps and had a lot of pain. That gave me a headache. With my education and my background in the food industry, I knew that there was a different way. That’s actually how the idea for Pure Goat is originated.”
An alternative to cow’s milk
More babies have difficulties processing the proteins in cow’s milk. Pure Goat Company offers an alternative. The company produces complete infant formula and follow-on milk based on goat’s milk; thus offering another option in the field of baby formula. Dekker says about this: “Until 2014 it was forbidden by law to make complete infant formula with another protein source than cow’s milk. Four years ago, there was no alternative. And yet there was already a need for follow-on milk with another protein source. With Pure Goat Company, we have filled this market gap. Parents can now try this alternative and find out themselves what’s the best for their child.
Pure Goat adds lactose from milk as a source of carbohydrates and no other sugars like maltodextrin (from potatoes or corn, for example) or glucose (from sugar beets, for example), simply because it is not necessary to use anything other than lactose.
Ingredients
“Our Pure Goat Company’s Organic bottle formula is packed with organic full-cream goat milk. We then add the usual extra nutrients, such as iron, vitamins, and other minerals. We’ve also topped it up a notch by adding organic GOS fiber from milk and omega-3 DHA* from algae. Why? Because enough research has been done on the advantages of adding these ingredients, says Dekker.
The Pure Goat Company uses for example rapeseed oil instead of palm oil. Simply because there are very good organic corps in Europe and it is therefore not necessary to import the ingredients from far away. They want to work as locally as possible.
Another common ingredient in infant formula is tuna oil, because of its omega-3 DHA. This substance is even a mandatory ingredient in infant formula. Because of the abuses in the tuna fishery, Pure Goat does not obtain the DHA from tuna oil, but from algae. This is a sustainable and animal-friendly alternative
“There is growing customer demand for organic products. We believe that it is important to give organic farmers more attention and encourage other farmers to switch to organic. Organic production is badly needed to protect biodiversity”, says Dekker.
Local
Knowing where the ingredients come from and having good contact with the suppliers is very important to Pure Goat. That’s why they have set up the entire supply chain themselves and have thought about it carefully.
There is intensive contact with the goat farmers who supply the milk and the company is involved in every step of the process. All ingredients come from Europe, as locally as possible. Thanks to the short lines and personal contact, the production process remains practical and well-organized.
Intensive cooperation
Teamwork with everyone they work with and excellent customer service is very important for the Pure Goater’s.
Dekker: “We see our customers as ambassadors.” That is why Pure Goat regularly organizes fun promotions with raffle jumpers or organic bodysuits.