NZMP diversifies ground breaking probiotic strains portfolio into new snack categories

By Gill Hyslop

- Last updated on GMT

NZMP’s HN019 and HN001 are clinically proven to provide consumers with digestive health and immunity benefits. Pic: GettyImages/CentralTAlliance
NZMP’s HN019 and HN001 are clinically proven to provide consumers with digestive health and immunity benefits. Pic: GettyImages/CentralTAlliance
The business to business ingredients brand of global dairy giant Fonterra has expanded the application range of its patented probiotic strains to include energy and protein snack bars, ice cream, chocolates, cheese and ready-to-mix powdered beverages, fresh juices or fermented milk drinks.

NZMP’s unique strains of Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies lactis HN019 ​(BifidoB HN019TM) and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HN001 (originally Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001​) (LactoB HN001TM) are clinically proven to provide consumers with digestive health and immunity benefits.

It said these include improving gut-barrier function and reducing risk of certain disease, infections and inflammation. The dairy-free strains have been isolated from microbial cultures used in manufacturing yoghurt and cheese and meet the three essential criteria – to be safe, effective and stable.

Fonterra discovered the HN01 and HNOO1 strains and commercialised them in the ‘90s and continues to own the trademark. The company has invested heavily in research over the decades, providing NZMP with a unique advantage to offer its customers that provide  consumers with highly sought-after solutions to everyday gut-related and immunity issues.

NZMP is continuing to explore how to get more out of probiotic strains, including:

  • Testing new applications that would allow the strains to expand into even more spaces and categories.
  • Using external accreditation or certifications, such as non-GMO project verification or organic status, to drive better premiums.
  • Exploring how it can combine the probiotics with other ingredients to create unique formulations or uncover where two ingredients might complement each other.
  • Continuing to invest in clinical research for emerging health benefits.

NZMP has one of the broadest ranges of ingredients in the dairy industry, providing hundreds of solutions to meet the needs of customers every day. Backed by Fonterra’s New Zealand grass-fed farming heritage and expertise, world-class processing and leading quality standards, NZMP delivers real market advantage to its clients.

Wellbeing, bone health and immunity

“NZMP’s Sports & Active Lifestyle unit has been expanding its portfolio to include specialty ingredients that are complementary to core protein offerings, including things like milk phospholipids for mental wellbeing, milk minerals for bone health or Lactoferrin for immunity,”​ said Victoria Lam, senior marketing manager, Sports & Active Lifestyle, Fonterra.

“Market trends tell us that consumers are increasingly seeking more health benefits from their food and with more than 90% of probiotic products making health claims in the US, it makes sense to add probiotics into food or beverage formats, which can be carriers for various health-boosting ingredients.”

By extending its portfolio to target additional health benefits and new applications, NZMP hopes to help its customers appeal to a broader range of consumers. This particularly addresses the increased immunity awareness that has arisen since the pandemic outbreak and the need for more functional snacks and beverages.

Probiotic stability data for chocolates

“For a few years now, we have been seeing probiotics delivery formats rapidly moving away from just supplements into the likes of cereals, chocolates and ready-to-mix powdered beverages – an area we are very familiar with due to our proteins business,”​ said Chris Ireland, US probiotics business manager, Sports & Active Lifestyle, Fonterra.

“Fonterra is traditionally a dairy food company, which means we have complementary expertise in regard to how probiotics can be paired with other ingredients in our portfolio for food and beverage applications.

“In fact, we are one of the few probiotic suppliers with evidence of probiotic stability data for chocolates.”