Karihome Formula Milk is produced by Dairy Goat Cooperative (DGC), established from the amalgamation of small goat milk co-operatives around New Zealand. DGC has end to end production facilities on its site in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Milk is collected from their farms and delivered directly to the production facility. Great care is taken to ensure a consistently lower temperature at all times by insulating their milk trucks. This helps maintain the nutritional integrity of the goat milk at all times during transit.
When the whole goat milk is delivered to the site it is checked again for quality before it is processed.
The milk that enters the DGC facility leaves as goat milk formula, in the can that is then sold to Karihome customers. To ensure the safest possible production system, every element of the production is managed within a single site.
The DGC plant is purpose-built solely to be a world class facility for manufacturing goat milk formula. Combined with the cooperative farm model, there is full control in the entire process from milking to distribution. So milk that comes into the plant leaves as a completed product.
The result is a safer, cleaner manufacturing process with no third parties.
Our healthy growing goats are not given hormones, and the grass they graze on is free from pesticides and GMOs. Antibiotics are only used when necessary to treat infections. Milk from treated goats is discarded during the treatment and withdrawal period, and milk is routinely tested to ensure it is free from antibiotic residues.
It is not recommended that children aged less than 12 months be fed unmodified goat milk. Neither should they be fed unmodified cow milk. Unmodified milk is not suitable for infants younger than 12 months as the high mineral and protein content may place undue stress on the infant’s kidneys. Unmodified milk also lacks an adequate amount of various nutrients to support an infant’s nutritional requirements.
For this reason, goat milk formula is manufactured using fresh goat milk and is formulated to meet internationally accepted formula standards for babies and young children. Goat formula has extra lactose, essential fatty acids, vitamins such as folate, minerals such as iron and other nutrients such as taurine to meet the nutritional needs of young children.
Yes. Karihome is supported by over 35 years of goat milk research and more than 60 scientific publications. Research on whole goat milk formula has looked at areas such as nutrition, digestion and skin health.
Our goats are so well loved! They are sheltered using open-sided barns that allow exposure to natural lighting and fresh air. Space is provided to allow goats to move freely, lie down or play with their friends. Goat are given free access to their food and water. Our goats are cared for to a high standard reflecting New Zealand’s strict regulations and our commitment to sustainability.
No. Karihome Goat Milk Formula is not intended to treat or cure eczema. However, whole goat milk formula has been studied in scientific research, including the GIraFFE Study, which investigated the development of doctor-diagnosed atopic dermatitis (eczema) in infants fed whole goat milk formula compared with cow milk formula.
Whole goat milk is used to retain the milk fat before adding lactose, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Some vegetable oils are still required to top up the essential unsaturated fatty acids in goat milk,1 but the goat milk fat is not removed. The inclusion of goat milk fat retains the medium chain saturated fatty acids in goat milk,2 which are more readily absorbed than long-chain saturated fatty acids.3
The use of whole goat milk also means that nucleotides4 are also retained. As a result, there is no need to add nucleotides when making formula from whole goat milk.
References:
1. Prosser et al, 2010
2. Prosser et al, 2010
3. Jensen et al 1986; Lindquist & Hernell, 2010
4. Prosser, McLaren et al. 2008; Gill, Indyk and Manley-Harris, 2012
Antibiotics are only used in exceptional circumstances to treat infections. Milk collected during the treatment period and for several days after treatment is discarded. Milk is routinely tested to ensure it is free from antibiotic residues.
No, goat milk is not heaty. Goat milk is very easy to digest and absorb. The natural oligosaccharides in goat milk promote the growth of good bacteria in the body, which may help in bowel movement.
The transition from breast milk or formula to solid foods is one of the most common times for toddlers to have hard stools because the digestive system needs time to adapt.
As every toddler’s stool texture and pattern is different. What may seem regular for your toddler may be different from another toddler.
It is important for toddlers to drink enough fluids to keep their bodies properly hydrated and bowels moving regularly. When increasing the amount of fiber in your toddler’s diet, it is important to keep increasing the amount of water to help process the added fiber.
Fresh goat milk naturally contains short-chain fatty acids that can contribute to its characteristic “goaty” taste, particularly if the milk fat is damaged during handling and processing.
To help maintain a mild and pleasant taste, Dairy Goat Co-operative (DGC) in New Zealand carefully manages the milk from farm to production. This includes strict guidelines on goat nutrition and milking practices, as well as rapid cooling of the fresh milk to help protect the milk fat. DGC goats are raised in New Zealand’s natural environment with access to high-quality pastures.
Karihome Goat Milk Formula is also produced using NutriKept™ Technology, a specialised manufacturing process designed to minimise unnecessary processing and help preserve the natural qualities of whole goat milk.
As a result, Karihome Goat Milk Formula has a mild, smooth and creamy taste without the strong “goaty” flavour some people may associate with goat milk, making it pleasant and easy to drink.
