The company denied the decision was fuelled by pressure from anti GMO campaigners.

Similac Advance Non-GMO infant formula, the first and only of its kind from a leading US manufacturer, will be available in selected Target stores across the US from this week.

Distribution will be extended to a reduced lactose infant formula in August along with non-GMO Similac Sensitive formula.

Abbott will also continue to sell its full range of Similac infant formula, which contains GMO ingredients.

America’s largest infant formula manufacturers, Abbot, Nestle and Med Johnson Nutrition, have been repeatedly been petitioned to remove GMOs from their products.

Abbott has stressed that the decision to launch the non-GMO formula was about offering consumer choice and have said the resolution from advocacy groups at recent AGMs played no part in the decision to extend its range.