Arla Foods Ingredients has launched a dry-blend protein ingredient designed to enable infant formula manufacturers to reduce production costs without compromising on safety or quality.
Lacprodan Premium Alpha-10 contains alpha-lactalbumin, a whey protein found in human milk, and essential amino acids. It’s the company’s first protein ingredient designed for dry blending, a process that allows manufacturers to reduce energy usage and production costs.
The product is produced according to the highest food safety standards, Arla says. It’s free from Cronobacter sakazakii, a bacterium that can cause serious infections in infants, and is compliant with Chinese food safety standards.
Arla says formulas including alpha-lactalbumin with alpha-lactalbumin can result in a closer match with the protein composition of human milk, promote gut comfort and healthy growth, and enhance protection from intestinal infections.
The company currently offers customers a dry blend lactose which helps manufacturers reduce their energy usage. In November 2020, it estimated total CO2 savings from customers using it could be as high as 24,400 tonnes.
Lone Strøm, Head of Sales Development, Pediatrics, at Arla Foods Ingredients, said: “We’ve been offering dry blend lactose for many years. Until now, dry-blendable proteins have been less common, so we’re excited to launch Lacprodan® Premium ALPHA-10, which is a win-win solution for formula manufacturers. It combines the clinically proven benefits of alpha-lactalbumin with the opportunity to reduce energy usage and production costs. Most importantly it comes with a commitment to quality and safety – which are paramount in the infant nutrition sector – from a trusted, reliable partner.”
Lacprodan Premium Alpha-10 is currently available in trial quantities, with the company aiming to make commercial quantities due available in the second half of 2021.