Booming Maternal Nutrition Market Creates Opportunities for High Protein Snacks

13 Nov 2015 --- 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.

Anne Staudt Kvistgaard, Head of Pediatric Sales & Science Development at Arla Foods Ingredients, said, “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 Market Insights. 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 contains three natural milk ingredients that provide the building blocks needed to support the wellbeing 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; and Lacprodan PL-20 milk phospholipids – a phospholipid-rich concentrate of milk proteins containing gangliosides, which supports early brain development in the unborn baby.

Staudt Kvistgaard told FoodIngredientsFirst: “The ingredients in our maternal nutrition solution are available separately, but in terms of providing optimum benefits for mothers-to-be and their unborn babies, we think they work really well in combination together. All three are available as powders that are easy to use in food and beverage manufacturing processes.

Staudt Kvistgaard continued: “We think there is scope for a wide range of product formats in the maternal nutrition sector, including milk-based powdered formulas, and milk and juice-based ready-to-drink beverages. However, with snacking so strong right now, we believe that protein bars will be a format that really resonates with busy mothers-to-be looking for something delicious and nutritious to eat while on the go.”

By Kelly Worgan