Company now likely China's largest formula provider after Wyeth purchase

Nestle SA's purchase of Pfizer Inc's infant nutrition unit is expected to fundamentally change the Chinese baby-food market and strengthen the Swiss company's food operations in emerging markets in Asia, experts said.

The acquisition of Pfizer's Wyeth milk powder is likely to make Nestle the largest formula provider in China, surpassing Mead Johnson & Co LLC, Dumex - a part of Groupe Danone - and other rivals, industry analysts said.