Weekly Roundup: Morinaga Milk unveils proprietary probiotic, organic elderberry extract launched

26 Aug 2022 --- This week in industry news, Morinaga Milk obtained the US Food and Drug Administration GRAS notification for its probiotic ingredient and Nektium launched an organic version of its elderberry extract. Meanwhile, Nestlé launched its Nestlé Youth Entrepreneurship Platform (YEP) for young innovators. Fonterra is continuing to reduce its carbon footprint with an innovative methane technology targeting net zero by 2050.

In brief: Launches
Morinaga Milk, a Japanese dairy product company, announced its proprietary probiotic Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis M-63 has received FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status relating to its use in term infant formula and general foods. In April, the FDA issued the company with a GRAS Notice known as a “no objection letter,” stating it has no questions regarding the safety of the probiotic strain B. infantis M-63 when used in infant formula and general foods. The probiotic strain meets the highest safety and regulatory compliance standards and can be used as an ingredient in powdered infant formula for term infants and certain general foods.

Nektium launched an organic elderberry extract as consumer demand for natural ingredients with antiviral properties continues to rise. The botanicals specialist is also releasing a more concentrated BetterBrand’s ‘The Better Bagel’ transforms the traditional bagel into the net carb equivalent of two banana slices.version of the product. The global market for organic food and drink products is expected to expand at a CAGR of 11% per year, reaching a value of US$220 billion by 2024, while the popularity of organic supplements is also on the rise. Alongside this, demand for elderberry has been growing since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with consumers increasingly seeking natural ingredients that have a positive immune effect. 

Food tech start-up BetterBrand revealed a global partnership with Whole Foods Market, hitting the frozen shelves of over 500 Whole Foods Market stores one year after its online debut. The company’s first product, “The Better Bagel,” transforms the carb-heavy bagel into the net carb equivalent of two slices of banana while boasting over 25 g of plant-based protein, no added sugar, and a non-GMO Certified, clean label ingredient deck.

In brief: Business moves
As part of its Global Youth Initiative, Nestlé’s YEP was launched; a new digital platform for young innovators and entrepreneurs who want to learn new knowledge and skills, test an idea or grow their businesses in areas ranging from food science and technology to the development of products and services – including regenerative agriculture and sustainable packaging. The platform gives young innovators access to The Nestlé Entrepreneurship Academy plus dedicated programs to grow knowledge, learn new skills and gain experience.

In brief: Sustainability efforts
Fonterra is working on two science-based innovations being touted as “game-changing” for methane, the company’s long-term sustainability goals, and the agricultural sector as a whole New Zealand has one of the lowest greenhouse gas footprints per liter of milk produced worldwide. Fonterra’s New Zealand on-farm carbon footprint is approximately one-third of the global average. While carbon dioxide is the primary driver of climate change, methane contributes significantly to the earth’s temperature rise, the company underscores. Methane reduction is just one of the environmentally sustainable solutions that Fonterra continues to work toward as part of its commitment to sustainable dairying.Nestlé has launched a new Youth Entrepreneurship Platform.

In brief: Research studies
The discovery of a gene resistant to the virus that causes the devastating cassava mosaic disease could aid the development of disease-resistant cassava varieties and boost food security in Sub-Saharan Africa, scientists say. In Sub-Saharan Africa, cassava farming is constrained by weeds and viral diseases, particularly the cassava mosaic disease, caused by a group of viruses called geminiviruses. Cassava mosaic disease is responsible for the loss of more than 80% of cassava crops, a staple for more than 800 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa.

A new research study led by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Israel’s Agricultural Research Organization (Volcani Institute) detailed the success of a biological sensor for the early detection of hidden disease in potato tubers, one of Israel’s chief export industries at 700,000 metric tons a year. However, some of them carry diseases within – either visibly or invisibly – that cause rot and significantly reduce the potato’s quality. The Hebrew University-Volcani alliance has developed a sensor that detects conditions and can be used to inhibit the rot from growing and spreading. The sensor relies on smart bioengineering and optics. 

In brief: Other highlights
Bakkavor Group has won praise from the non-profit Lever Foundation for its latest commitment to source only cage-free eggs and egg ingredients globally. Headquartered in London, the company operates 23 factories in the UK, five in the US and nine in China, with annual sales exceeding US$2.2 billion. Bakkavor specializes in freshly prepared foods such as ready meals, salads, desserts, pizzas and sandwiches, which are sold white label to UK and US retailers and retail and foodservice chains in China. Bakkavor joins a growing number of food businesses that have made commitments to source only cage-free eggs across their global supply chains, including packaged food manufacturers such as Unilever, Danone, Nestle, Kraft and Mondelez, retailers such as Tesco, Costco and Aldi.

By Elizabeth Green

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