FDBusiness.com

Infant formula and baby food manufacturers can now tap into the booming maternal nutrition market with an innovative solution developed by Arla Foods Ingredients. Approximately 130 million babies are born worldwide each year, according to the World Health Organization. Meeting the correct nutritional requirements of mother and baby before, during and after pregnancy is critical.

Arla Foods Ingredients’ maternal nutrition solution contains three natural milk ingredients that provide the building blocks needed to support the well being of both the mother-to-be and her developing baby:

* Lacprodan^® whey protein – a high quality protein from milk that promotes satiety, helps to manage blood sugar levels and is easy to digest, while also supporting the development of maternal tissue and the unborn baby.

* Capolac^® minerals – a concentrate of minerals from milk that supports the development of bones and teeth in the baby and reduces the risk of complications during pregnancy, as well as minimising loss of bone mass in the expectant mother.

* Lacprodan^® PL-20 milk phospholipids – a phospholipid-rich concentrate of milk proteins containing gangliosides, which supports early brain development in the unborn baby.

Anne Staudt Kvistgaard, Head of Pediatric Sales & Science Development at Arla Foods Ingredients, says: “The best start in life is through a healthy pregnancy, and the market for maternal nutrition is full of potential. In fact, between 2010 and 2014, the number of product launches in the global breastfeeding and pregnancy formula market grew at a CAGR of 29%, according to Innova. We expect our maternal nutrition solution to be particularly interesting in Asia, which is the fastest growing region in this category, as well as among innovative companies in western markets.”

Arla Foods Ingredients maternal nutrition solution is ideal for protein bars that will resonate with mothers-to-be. Anne Staudt Kvistgaard explains: “Products such as protein bars will appeal to busy pregnant women who need a tasty and healthy snack on the go. Pregnant women are just like other consumers – they want solutions that taste good, are natural, nutritious and filling, and which are convenient. A bar made with our maternal nutrition solution would meet all of these needs, helping to ensure a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.”

The new maternal nutrition solution will be among the innovations presented by Arla Foods Ingredients on Stand 6F9 at the forthcoming Food Ingredients Europe exhibition, which takes place in Paris, 1-3 December 2015.