Nutricia is a Danone brand that specialises in therapeutic food and infant formula, including medical nutrition for babies with specific needs.

Johannes introduced Backhaus to his brother, Martinus van der Hagen, who owned a factory in The Netherlands producing margarine and dairy products.

In 1901, the "Nutricia" name was adopted and became known as “The Wet Nurse of The Netherlands.”[5] Five years later, Nutricia began to introduce new special diet products such as low-sugar milk for diabetic patients and iodine-rich milk for those suffering from goitre,[7] marking the beginnings of 'medical nutrition' as a category.

[7][8] Danone announced ownership of over 90% of Numico's shares on 31 October 2007, declaring its offer for the remainder unconditional.

The company's shares were delisted from the Amsterdam Stock Exchange at the end of 2007 as Danone gained full control.