Arla Foods Ingredients has launched a new ingredient concept that makes it easy to produce delicious, healthy, convenient and environmentally friendly Greek-style yoghurt smoothies that are rich in both protein and real fruit.
Nutrilac YO-8075 is a natural whey protein, derived from cow’s milk. It gives manufacturers the ability to use their existing equipment to formulate a fat-free smoothie that is 50% Greek yoghurt, 50% fruit and which has a protein content as high as 7.5%.
Per capita consumption of Greek yoghurt has doubled in the past decade according to NPD Group data, and US sales are set to hit $9.3bn by 2017, up from $7.3bn in 2012 (Packaged Facts). Fruit also continues to enjoy enduring popularity as an ingredient that adds a ‘health halo’ to a product, making it the perfect partner to protein.
Using the new Nutrilac protein to make Greek-style yoghurt smoothies is very cost-effective and ‘green’ because the process generates high yields and zero acid whey, the controversial waste product associated with traditional Greek yogurt-making. The protein is supplied by Arla Foods Ingredients ready to produce a Greek-style yoghurt base that can be combined with a wide range of fruit ingredients – or even vegetables – in one straightforward step.
'Dairy and fruit smoothies are really popular with busy consumers because they’re tasty, filling and healthy. However, the products on the market today typically offer a protein content of about 1%, which is too low for the growing number of people who are keen to add more protein to their diet for health reasons,' said Torben Jensen, Category Manager for Functional Dairy Proteins at Arla Foods Ingredients.
'This means there is a significant opportunity in the marketplace to offer next-generation smoothies that are also very high in protein. The launch of this new Nutrilac protein means companies can now create 7.5% protein Greek-style yoghurt smoothies that taste great and are easy to drink on the go – tapping into the trends that really make modern-day consumers tick.'