About Cow And Gate
Cow & Gate: Over 250 Years of Trusted Baby Nutrition Cow & Gate stands as one of Britain's most trusted names in infant nutrition, with a heritage stretching back over 250 years. Now part of the Danone family, this iconic brand has been nourishing British babies for generations with carefully formulated milks designed to support healthy development. At Grocefully, we help you compare Cow & Gate prices across UK retailers, ensuring you find the best deals on these essential baby products. A Heritage Dating to 1771 The Cow & Gate story begins in 1771, when the company first began producing milk. This remarkable heritage makes Cow & Gate one of the oldest food brands in continuous operation, with over two and a half centuries of dairy expertise informing its approach to infant nutrition. The brand as we know it today emerged from a rather unusual origin story. After the 1882 death of Guildford grocer Charles Gates, his two sons Charles Arthur and Leonard took over the family shop. In 1885, the brothers were persuaded to join the temperance movement, leading them to pour their entire stock of alcohol into the gutters of Guildford High Street. Left with no livelihood but an empty shop, the Gates brothers converted their premises into a dairy, trading under the name West Surrey Dairy. This decision, born of conviction rather than commercial calculation, would eventually lead to one of Britain's most trusted baby food brands. Pioneering Infant Formula In 1903, Cow & Gate began manufacturing powdered milk specifically for babies, positioning itself at the forefront of infant nutrition science. This early entry into formula production gave the company decades to develop expertise that continues to inform product development today. Throughout the twentieth century, Cow & Gate expanded its dairy products business whilst maintaining a focus on infant nutrition. The brand became synonymous with baby feeding in British households, trusted by generations of parents. Corporate Evolution The company's corporate structure evolved significantly through the twentieth century. In 1959, Cow & Gate merged with United Dairies to form Unigate plc, creating a larger dairy products group. A pivotal moment came in 1981 when Nutricia, a Dutch nutrition company, acquired the Cow & Gate infant formula business from Unigate. This acquisition marked Nutricia's significant expansion into the UK market and began aligning Cow & Gate with nutrition specialists rather than general dairy producers. Nutricia, which would later rebrand as Royal Numico, brought scientific expertise in nutrition that complemented Cow & Gate's manufacturing heritage and brand recognition. Joining the Danone Family In 2007, French multinational Danone announced its acquisition of Royal Numico for €12.3 billion ($16.8 billion). This major deal positioned Danone as the global leader in health and nutrition. The brands previously owned by Numico – Nutricia, Milupa, and Cow & Gate – became part of Danone's portfolio. The combined business, now known as Danone Baby and Medical Nutrition B.V., represents one of the world's leading infant nutrition operations. Under Danone's ownership, Cow & Gate has benefited from the company's global research capabilities whilst maintaining its distinctly British identity and market position. The Modern Cow & Gate Today's Cow & Gate focuses primarily on infant milk formulas, having streamlined its range in recent years to emphasise core products. In 2021, Danone discontinued Cow & Gate's baby food jars, pouches, pots, and several dairy-based products in the UK market. This strategic decision reflected shifting consumer preferences toward fresh foods and allowed the brand to concentrate resources on its milk formula expertise. A 2018 brand refresh introduced updated formulations with reduced sugar content and natural ingredients. Enhanced packaging highlighted nutritional benefits derived from Danone's research centres, communicating product quality more effectively to parents. Understanding Infant Formula Cow & Gate offers formulas for different stages of infant development, designed to meet changing nutritional needs as babies grow. First Infant Milk First Infant Milk is suitable from birth and is designed for babies who are not breastfed or who are being combination fed alongside breastfeeding. These formulas aim to provide complete nutrition similar to breast milk. Cow & Gate First Infant Milk contains ingredients designed to support various aspects of infant development, from immune function to digestive comfort. Follow On Formula Follow On Formula is designed for babies from six months who have started weaning. As babies begin eating solid foods, their milk requirements change, and Follow On formulas are formulated to complement this transition. These products contain nutrients particularly important during the second half of the first year, supporting continued growth and development alongside increasing solid food intake. Growing Up Milk For toddlers from one year, Growing Up Milk provides nutritional support as children transition from formula to regular milk. These products bridge the gap, offering higher levels of certain nutrients than cow's milk whilst babies' diets are still developing. Choosing Baby Formula Selecting infant formula is an important decision for parents. Whilst breast milk is recommended as the optimal nutrition for babies, formula provides a safe alternative when breastfeeding isn't possible or chosen. Key considerations when choosing formula include: Age-appropriateness ensures the formula matches your baby's developmental stage. Using the correct stage provides appropriate nutrition for each phase. Tolerance varies between babies. If your baby shows signs of discomfort with a particular formula, discussing alternatives with your health visitor or GP may help identify better options. Convenience factors like preparation requirements and packaging sizes may influence choice for practical reasons. Parents should always follow preparation instructions precisely, as incorrect preparation can pose health risks to babies. The UK Formula Market The UK infant formula market is regulated to ensure product safety and appropriate marketing. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) monitors the market, with their February 2025 study highlighting various aspects of formula marketing and pricing. Parents may notice that infant formula prices can seem high relative to other food products. This reflects both the complex manufacturing processes involved and the regulatory requirements for these essential products. Comparing prices across retailers helps parents manage costs whilst ensuring access to quality products. Comparing Cow & Gate Prices Across UK Retailers One of the key benefits of shopping for Cow & Gate products through Grocefully is the ability to compare prices across UK retailers. Baby formula represents a significant ongoing expense for families using formula feeding, making price awareness particularly valuable. Cow & Gate products are available through major supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, and Morrisons, as well as through Boots and online retailers. Prices for identical products can vary between retailers, and promotions (where permitted under infant formula marketing regulations) may provide savings opportunities. For families purchasing formula regularly, consistent price comparison can deliver meaningful savings over a baby's formula-feeding period. Feeding Support Cow & Gate provides feeding support through the C&G Baby Club and other resources. These services offer information about infant nutrition, feeding guidance, and developmental support. Whilst commercial support resources can be helpful, parents should remember that independent advice from health visitors, GPs, and NHS resources provides impartial guidance on infant feeding decisions. Healthcare professionals can advise on which products might suit particular babies and address concerns about feeding or development. Quality and Safety Infant formula production is subject to strict regulations ensuring product safety and nutritional adequacy. Cow & Gate, as part of Danone, operates under rigorous quality control systems. Manufacturing processes are designed to prevent contamination and ensure consistent nutritional content. Products undergo testing before release, and batch tracking enables recall processes if any concerns arise. Parents can be confident that UK infant formulas, including Cow & Gate products, meet stringent safety standards. Storage and Preparation Proper storage and preparation of infant formula is essential for baby safety. Store unopened formula in cool, dry conditions as specified on packaging. Once opened, powdered formula should be used within the timeframe stated on the packaging. Prepare formula with freshly boiled water cooled to no less than 70°C to kill any bacteria. Follow preparation instructions exactly, using the correct amount of powder and water. Prepared formula should be used promptly or stored in the refrigerator for limited periods as specified. Never keep made-up formula warm, as this encourages bacterial growth. Formula Feeding Without Guilt Whilst breast milk is recommended as optimal for babies, many parents use formula for various valid reasons. Whether through necessity, choice, or combination feeding, formula feeding can provide complete infant nutrition. Parents using formula should feel confident that they're providing good nutrition for their babies. Modern formulas like Cow & Gate products are carefully designed to support healthy development. Healthcare professionals increasingly recognise the importance of supporting all feeding choices without judgement, focusing on helping parents feed their babies safely and confidently. Conclusion Cow & Gate's journey from a Guildford dairy to part of a global nutrition leader reflects the evolution of infant feeding over two and a half centuries. The brand's focus on quality infant nutrition, now supported by Danone's research capabilities, continues to serve British families. Whether you're feeding your newborn First Infant Milk or supporting your toddler's development with Growing Up Milk, Cow & Gate offers trusted products designed for each stage. By comparing Cow & Gate prices across UK retailers through Grocefully, you can manage formula costs whilst ensuring your baby receives quality nutrition. Explore Cow & Gate products on Grocefully today and discover how smart shopping can help you navigate the early years without paying more than necessary.