FrieslandCampina Lactoferrin Authorised for Food in EU

The milk protein lactoferrin is a bioactive component in milk. In the European Union, lactoferrin is regarded as a ‘novel’ (i.e. new) food and may therefore only be marketed once its safety has been demonstrated. FrieslandCampina Domo markets lactoferrin under the brand name Vivinal LF.

5 Dec 2012 --- On 27 November 2012, the European Commission published its decision approving lactoferrin produced by FrieslandCampina as ‘novel food’. This means that lactoferrin can now be used in a variety of foods throughout the European Union, including infant nutrition.

The publication of the Commission’s decision is the final step in an application process initiated by FrieslandCampina in 2009.

Roelof Joosten, COO Business group FrieslandCampina Ingredients, is delighted with the outcome: ‘Lactoferrin is directly derived from cow’s milk, one of the most nutritious foods there is. New ingredients do not often get approval from the European Commission, and particularly not for infant nutrition. This new authorisation will enable us and our customers to use our lactoferrin in various foods throughout Europe.’

The milk protein lactoferrin is a bioactive component in milk. In the European Union, lactoferrin is regarded as a ‘novel’ (i.e. new) food and may therefore only be marketed once its safety has been demonstrated. FrieslandCampina Domo markets lactoferrin under the brand name Vivinal LF.

A spokesperson for FrieslandCampina told FoodIngredientsFirst that in 2007/2008, the European Commission put lactoferrin on the Novel Food list for food applications, including infant nutrition. Lactoferrin is considered to be novel food, since it was not consumed via food in substantial amounts before 1997 in the EU (see Regulation No 258/97/EC ). "This means that lactoferrin could not be used in foods in the EU without a novel food approval. Therefore, FrieslandCampina started a novel food assessment procedure in 2009. After assessments by the Netherlands, the Member States and finally the EFSA, it was concluded that there is no indication for any health risk under the conditions of the intended use of bovine lactoferrin. The official publication is the last step of this novel food procedure. Lactoferrin from cow’s milk can now be safely used in the EU in the foods indicated and under the maximum levels specified.”

The main applications have been in the infant nutrition space, with approval so far in some countries in Asia (inlcuding Japan and South Korea) and the United States. "Currently in Food supplements and IFT in Asia, especially Japan. Both areas remain growing. With the EU approval of lactoferrin in food an infant nutritrion a first hurdle has been taken away for food manufacturers to use lactoferrin in their products," the spokesperson said.

FrieslandCampina Domo is an operating company of FrieslandCampina. Domo develops, produces and markets high quality ingredients primarily based on whey and milk. These ingredients are supplied worldwide to companies that manufacture infant nutrition, medical and cell nutrition. Domo also produces semi-final and complete infant nutrition formulas in bulk and consumer packaging for the infant nutrition industry.

FrieslandCampina Domo has production plants in Bedum, Beilen, Borculo, Dronrijp, Lochem and Workum in the Netherlands and in Delhi in the USA, and a joint venture in Allansford, Australia. FrieslandCampina Domo has sales offices in the Netherlands (head office), Singapore, the US and China.