Company Background

Ovaltine was developed in Switzerland, where it is known by its original name, Ovomaltine.

Ovomaltine was exported to England in 1909; it was misspelling in the trademark registration that led to the name being truncated to Ovaltine in English-speaking markets. A factory was built in England which exported to the United States as well. By 1915, Ovaltine was being manufactured in Villa Park, Illinois, for the American market. Originally advertised as consisting solely of "malt, milk, eggs, flavored with cocoa," the formulation has changed over the decades, and today several formulations are sold in different parts of the world.

The popular chocolate malt version of a powder is mixed with hot or cold milk as a beverage. Malt Ovaltine and Rich Chocolate Ovaltine are also available in some markets. Ovaltine has been available in the form of chocolate bars also, chocolate Easter eggs, parfait, cookies and breakfast cereals. In the last case, it is only the brand name that connects the cereals with the chocolate drink.

Thailand and China, the Ovaltine story began in 1904 as a result of Dr Albert Wander’s mission to save people from malnutrition. He took the natural goodness of life by putting together the nutritional value from barley grain, milk and transformed the mixture into a high-value drink called “Ovaltine”, the first malt-based hot beverage. In its 100 years of operation, Ovaltine carries the heritage of being the premium quality and reliable product that strives to serve the wellbeing of the people from generation to generation.