The search for hypoallergenic and easily digestible milk alternatives has led to growing interest in camel milk powder for infant and toddler nutrition. Proponents highlight its nutritional similarities to human milk and potential benefits for children with cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA). However, its safety and suitability as a complete breastmilk substitute require careful examination through current scientific evidence.
Nutritional Composition of Camel Milk Powder
Nutritionally, camel milk contains several components that make it theoretically suitable for young children.
Hypoallergenic Properties and Protein Profile
It has a different protein profile than cow’s milk, being notably deficient in β-lactoglobulin (a major allergen in cow’s milk) while containing higher proportions of β-casein and α-lactalbumin, the latter being predominant in human milk. This compositional difference contributes to its hypoallergenic potential.
Vitamins, Minerals, and Fatty Acids
Camel milk also contains significantly higher vitamin C levels (three times more than cow’s milk) and greater iron content, along with protective proteins including lactoferrin, immunoglobulins, and lysozyme that exhibit antimicrobial properties 6913.
These immunologically active components may support immune function, though direct evidence in infants remains limited. The fatty acid profile features more monounsaturated fatty acids (56-80g/100g fatty acids) compared to cow’s milk (26g/100g), potentially offering cardiovascular benefits.
Camel Milk for Allergy Management
Regarding allergy management, preliminary clinical evidence suggests camel milk may be tolerable for some children with CMPA.
Clinical Evidence for CMPA Tolerance
A crossover trial involving 15 children with confirmed CMPA found that none experienced adverse reactions after consuming camel milk, leading researchers to suggest it could be a viable alternative for patients over one year of age 3. However, critically, this tolerance does not equate to nutritional completeness for infants.
Nutritional Gaps in Camel Milk
Unlike commercially formulated infant formulas that are precisely fortified to match breastmilk’s nutritional profile, plain camel milk powder lacks adequate levels of folate, vitamin D, and essential fatty acids required for infant development.
This nutritional gap necessitates fortification if camel milk is to serve as a base for infant formula rather than merely an alternative milk for older children.
Safety Concerns with Camel Milk Powder
Significant safety concerns emerge when evaluating camel milk powder, particularly regarding contaminants.
Contaminants in Camel Milk
Antibiotic residues present a serious issue, as withdrawal periods established for cattle do not adequately translate to camels due to metabolic differences. Research documented penicillin residues in camel milk at 7.5 times above the maximum residue limit (MRL) even 56 days post-treatment, while oxytetracycline remained above MRL until day 14.
Such residues could promote antimicrobial resistance and disrupt infant gut microbiota. Heavy metal contamination varies substantially by region, with studies reporting lead levels ranging from non-detectable to 1.560 mg·kg⁻¹ and cadmium from 0.0008 to 0.800 mg·kg⁻¹.
While most studies suggest exposure levels remain below immediate toxic thresholds, the cumulative risk for infants—who consume proportionally more milk per body weight—requires careful assessment.
Risks in Traditional Production Systems
Microbial contamination risks are heightened in traditional production systems; manual milking practices resulted in 66.67% of samples adulterated with cow’s milk and elevated microbial counts up to 2.05 × 10⁴ CFU/mL. Pathogens including Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Corynebacterium species have been detected in camel milk, posing particular risks for immunocompromised infants.
Challenges in Camel Milk Powder Preparation
The preparation of camel milk powder introduces additional uncertainties.
Spray Drying and Nutrient Preservation
Spray drying processes must be carefully optimized to preserve heat-sensitive components like immunoglobulins and vitamin C. Studies on camel milk-based infant formula (CaIF) demonstrate that fortification with 10% camel whey protein significantly improved protein digestibility and bioactive properties compared to unfortified versions.
However, no standardized protocols exist for home-reconstituted camel milk powder, raising risks of improper concentration, contamination, or nutrient degradation.
Clinical and Market Limitations
Commercial camel milk formulas have shown promise in feasibility studies; one optimized mixture of camel and cow milk achieved 87.3% of target parameters for infant formula without adverse effects on physicochemical properties.
Nevertheless, these products remain scarce, and clinical trials evaluating long-term growth outcomes in infants fed exclusively camel milk-based formulas are lacking.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
In conclusion, camel milk powder shows potential as a nutritional supplement for toddlers, particularly those with CMPA over one year of age. However, significant safety concerns regarding contaminants, inconsistent composition, and lack of evidence for infant development preclude recommendations as a complete breastmilk substitute.
When used under medical supervision as part of a nutritionally balanced diet, commercially produced and properly fortified camel milk-based formulas may offer a viable alternative for some children.
Further clinical research establishing long-term safety profiles, optimal fortification protocols, and standardized production methods adhering to Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles remains essential before broader recommendations can be made.
Glossary of Key Terms
- β-lactoglobulin: A major allergenic whey protein found in cow’s milk, absent in camel milk
- CMPA (Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy): Immune-mediated adverse reaction to proteins in cow’s milk
- HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point): Systematic preventive approach to food safety
- Lactoferrin: An iron-binding protein with antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties
- MRL (Maximum Residue Limit): Legal limit for veterinary drug residues in foods
- Somatic Cell Count: Indicator of milk quality and udder health
- Withdrawal Period: Time between last drug administration and safe milk collection
References (Scholarly Sources)
- Study of biological safety of camel milk after treatment with antibiotics. PLoS ONE 2025.
- Navarrete-Rodríguez EM et al. Cross-over clinical trial for evaluating the safety of camel’s milk intake in patients allergic to cow’s milk protein. Allergologia et Immunopathologia 2018.
- Heavy metal levels in camel milk and health risk assessment: A systematic review. Journal of Food Safety 2024.
- Production, characterization, and bioactivity of novel camel milk infant formula. Journal of Functional Foods 2022.
- Microbial diversity in camel milk from Xinjiang, China. Frontiers in Microbiology 2024.
- Risk Prevention and Quality Control in Camel Milk Collection. Foods 2025.
- Feasibility study and optimization of infant formula production using camel milk. Food Science and Technology 2022. 12
- Updated comprehensive review of camel milk composition and therapeutic properties. Trends in Food Science & Technology 2024.
