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Gold Coast-based serial entrepreneur Selasi Berdie has entered the competitive infant formula sector with his brand Sprout Organic releasing a plant-based and organic product to the market.
Berdie, a former player for the Gold Coast Titans, hopes to tap into demand for plant-based options in infant formula a market he says has remained unfulfilled for decades.
The product comes on the back of five years of development at Sprout Organic and joins the brand's suite of plant-based foods for kids and infants including snack bars and mini muffins.
Sprout is formally releasing both an infant and toddler formula direct to industry at the upcoming 'Australian Pharmacy Professional Conference' on the Gold Coast 20-23 May, followed by the 'Naturally Good Expo' in Sydney 30-31 May.
The company has already commenced pre-sales on its website, where it saw over 300 sales in the first 48 hours of opening. Sales have come from both Australia and abroad with orders being placed from 19 international locations.
"While we expected to receive some pre-sales, the high volume and positive feedback has been unbelievable," Sprout founder Selasi Berdie said.
"It is a true validation of the last 5 years of hard work in developing such a needed product. We are so pleased to be able to provide parents with this choice."
READ MORE: Serial entrepreneur Selasi Berdie secures major distribution deal for Sprout Organic
Sprout has committed to shipping infant formula to its consumers on June 1st, with national retail stores rolling out from July 1st.
"The acceptance and uptake by our distribution and retail partners has been almost overwhelming," Sprout director Ben Chester said.
"If our pre-sales are anything to go by, getting the required volumes out to stores is going to be the challenge, albeit a very positive one."
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