Arla launches dry-blend protein ingredient for infant formula

Lacprodan® Premium ALPHA-10 is rich in alpha-lactalbumin, the most abundant whey protein in human milk, and essential amino acids. It is Arla Foods Ingredients’ first protein ingredient designed for dry blending, a process that allows manufacturers to reduce energy usage and production costs. It also provides greater flexibility to produce more recipes from one base powder.

Furthermore, Lacprodan® Premium ALPHA-10 is produced according to the highest food safety standards. It is free from Cronobacter sakazakii, a bacterium that can cause serious infections in infants, and compliant with new Chinese food safety standards, making it ideal for products entering the world’s largest formula market.

The enrichment of formulas with alpha-lactalbumin can result in a closer match with the protein composition of human milk, promote gut comfort and healthy growth, and enhance protection from intestinal infections. Arla Foods Ingredients will continue to offer its existing alpha-lactalbumin product, Lacprodan® Premium ALPHA-10, for wet blend applications.

The company already offers customers a dry blend lactose which helps manufacturers reduce their energy usage. In November 2020, it estimated total CO₂ savings from customers using it to be as high as 24,400 tonnes.

Lone Strøm, Head of Sales Development, Pediatrics, at Arla Foods Ingredients, said: “We’ve been offering dry blend lactose for many years. Until now, dry-blendable proteins have been less common, so we’re excited to launch Lacprodan® Premium ALPHA-10, which is a win-win solution for formula manufacturers. It combines the clinically proven benefits of alpha-lactalbumin with the opportunity to reduce energy usage and production costs. Most importantly it comes with a commitment to quality and safety – which are paramount in the infant nutrition sector – from a trusted, reliable partner.”

Lacprodan® Premium ALPHA-10 currently available globally in trial quantities, with commercial quantities due to become available in the second half of 2021.

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