Ovaltine (also known by its original name Ovomaltine) is a brand of milk flavouring product made with malt extract, sugar (except in Switzerland), and whey.
[4][5] In 1943, Ovaltine opened its second-largest factory in Devonport, Tasmania, to facilitate the demands of the Australasian and Southeast Asian markets.
[10][11] Villa Park, Illinois, was home to the Ovaltine factory in the United States from 1917 until the company's purchase and withdrawal in 1988.
The Villa Park Historical Society maintains a permanent exhibit of Ovaltine advertising and memorabilia.
The old factory was converted to loft apartments keeping the original floors and wall exposed, and is known today as Ovaltine Court.
[13][14] Ovaltine was very popular in Britain, and was manufactured at Kings Langley in Hertfordshire using a process that included GEA Wiegand falling film evaporators to concentrate liquid malt extract, which was then dried under vacuum in steam heated band dryers.
The Ovaltine Egg Farm is now the site of Renewable Energy Systems Ltd.[15] Due to its high-caloric and sugar content, Ovaltine has been a popular drink for climbers since the early days of mountaineering, including being carried in large quantities in 1902 during the unsuccessful first attempt to summit K2, the world's second-tallest mountain, and the first successful summitting of Mount Everest in 1953.
It is served at cha chaan tengs as well as fast-food shops such as Café de Coral and Maxim's Express.
Ovaltine is sold in Tetra Pak cartons for cold serving and is widely available in shops and supermarkets, yet it has a low profile compared to similar beverages in the market.
The Brazilian Ovaltine differs from other varieties, originating from an assembly line malfunction that made the powder crispier that is still maintained today.
[23] In 2011, Ovaltine was banned in Denmark under legislation forbidding the sale of food products with added vitamins unless claims about their effectiveness are proven.