SupplySide Global 2025: FrieslandCampina Ingredients elevates functional nutrition

Growing consumer demand for high-protein, gut-health, and GLP-1 companion products is driving FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ latest protein and prebiotic innovations, showcased at SupplySide Global 2025 in Las Vegas, US. The ingredients align with the rise in consumer demand for F&B that complements or balances the effects of GLP-1 use.

The company presented functional snacks, drinks, and supplements that combine nutrition and indulgence. These applications featured its Excellion caseinates, Biotis GOS, and Biotis Fermentis ingredients, which support active lifestyles and digestive wellness.

Food Ingredients First speaks with Sophie Zillinger Molenaar, global marketing execution lead at FrieslandCampina Ingredients, about the company’s evolving product portfolio and how it maintains taste and texture in its protein and gut health innovations.

“We are a global dairy company, but want to understand the local insights in the US, especially in this show, where we can spot new consumer trends — especially around proteins and prebiotics,” Molenaar tells us on the show floor.

Prebiotic foods also tap into the better-for-you snack and beverage categories. Consumers now view nutrition as part of their “overall health journey,” signaling a shift toward everyday, accessible protein intake, whether in a morning coffee or an afternoon snack. 

The increasing focus on prebiotics aligns with Innova Market Insights’ top trend for 2026, “Gut Health Hub,” as over half (59%) of global consumers believe gut health is very important for the entire body.

Supporting GLP-1 diets

FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ premium casein proteins can be used in overnight formulations in active and performance nutrition, as well as in GLP-1 companion products.

“The GLP-1 trend is definitely here to stay. Our Excellion caseinates are ideal for GLP-1 companion products, as they deliver slow and steady amino acid release in the bloodstream. This means it helps promote satiety — that feeling of fullness people on GLP-1 medications often seek,” explains Molenaar.

These ingredients also help maintain muscle strength, which can be affected by calorie restriction. Molenaar notes that they are easy to formulate with, making them suitable for a wide range of food and beverage applications.

Balancing nutrition and indulgence

Health-conscious consumers seek indulgent foods that fit their lifestyles and align with their health goals. FrieslandCampina Ingredients highlighted the importance of protein in meeting health goals with its Excellion Textpro caseinates at the show.

FrieslandCampina Ingredients showcased high-protein products for satiety and muscle maintenance in GLP-1 users.Manufacturers can use these ingredients to formulate high-protein bars with a softer texture and reduced product hardening for a shelf life of up to 12 months. This concept taps the better-for-you snack movement, which visitors could experience through the company’s healthy, indulgent protein bar with no added sugar.

“High-protein bars, with sometimes up to 30–40% protein, can be challenging to formulate because they tend to become hard or sticky over time. Excellion Textpro helps avoid that,” says Molenaar.

The caseinate helps maintain a “soft, chewy texture” and improves mouthfeel throughout the product’s 12-month shelf life. 

Prebiotics and fermented proteins

As consumers increasingly recognize the connection between gut health and overall well-being, prebiotics such as galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are gaining popularity. This trend is reflected in Google searches for prebiotics, which have increased by 66% over the last five years, notes the dairy firm.

GOS is highlighted as a “star ingredient” in FrieslandCampina’s Biotis Fermentis solution for incorporation in on-the-go bar and sparkling drink concepts. The fermented ingredient contains whey protein and probiotic cultures, and offers holistic health benefits in active and performance nutrition applications.

“GOS is a very well-researched prebiotic, which is important because consumers today are more educated and interested in their health journey. They want to understand the ingredients and how they work in the body,” says Molenaar.

Biotis Fermentis meets these demands by supporting the “gut-muscle axis” and improving both digestive health and muscle strength, especially for people following GLP-1 regimens. It can also offer ongoing support for individuals transitioning off GLP-1 medications. 

Taste and texture still important

Finally, Molenaar emphasizes that the focus on taste and texture continues to drive F&B innovations aimed at enhancing consumer appeal.

“Health is one thing, but consumers also want to enjoy their nutrition. Taste, texture, and mouthfeel are just as important as functionality. Our ingredients are easy to dissolve for use in various formats, which helps brands create products attractive for consumers,” she concludes.

With additional reporting by Elizabeth Green at SupplySide Global 2025 in Las Vegas, US