Clean-label cultures extend shelf life

Chr. Hansen’s FreshQ® portfolio launched some five years ago swept across the global dairy industry and gained recognition for its outstanding protective properties against yeast and mold in an all-natural way – well in line with strong consumer preference for clean label.

Now the company’s innovation and science teams have developed a series of new second-to-none FreshQ® cultures, even more powerful than the first generation, and ready to expand its global reach.

Helping customers go natural

“We are happy and proud to launch more than 10 new cultures, which will most certainly open the door to new markets and customers,” said Peter Thoeysen, Marketing Director, Dairy Bioprotection.

“It is a new generation that offers improved solutions. The new FreshQ® cultures are applicable and optimized to significantly more products and applications (in addition to yogurt, also fresh cheese, kefir, quark and numerous other fermented milk products), and they have stronger protective properties that make them well-suited in regions where the cold chain is under pressure. Last but not least, they offer an alternative to even more chemicals and artificial preservatives than the first generation and thus we can help more customers go natural,” he said.

Reducing food waste through longer shelf life

FreshQ® works by inhibiting or postponing the growth of yeast and mold in the fresh dairy product. An externally validated study has shown that by extending shelf life, FreshQ® can help reduce food waste.

Today 17% of the European yogurt production goes to waste – in 80% of the cases because the use-by-date expires somewhere in the supply chain. An extension of shelf life by 7 days, which is a conservative estimate of the possible impact by FreshQ®, would translate into a potential of reducing yogurt waste by 30% in Europe alone.

Reduction of food waste has not only been identified by the UN as a Global Goal for Sustainable Development – it is also high on consumers’ agenda. A modest extension of shelf life does not conflict with their preference for freshness as long as it is brought about by natural ingredients, and if it can contribute to reducing waste.

 10 new cultures in the FreshQ® portfolio inhibit or delay the growth of yeast and mold lin yogurt, cheese, kefir  and other dairy products, keeping them fresher longer

Keep it great

“The second generation of FreshQ® has overcome some of the limitations we have identified in the first generation. In the development of the cultures we have also focused on selecting strains that have a minimum impact on the process and help obtain the desired flavor,” said Mr Thoyesen.

“What we offer to dairy manufacturers around the world is a competitive edge without compromising their product label; we provide them with a chance to keep their products fresh and safe longer by using nature’s own resources. That not only helps food manufacturers create a great brand experience – it helps them to Keep it great!,” said Mr Thoeysen, referring to the umbrella under which Chr. Hansen gathers all its bioprotective solutions for dairy,  meat, salmon and fresh salad.