Arla Foods Ingredients is advancing its portfolio of micellar casein isolate (MCI) ingredients to meet the increasing demand for high-quality components in medical nutrition. The company’s Lacprodan MicelPure range, known for its rich native protein content and gentle milk-derived extraction process, is being expanded with the introduction of Lacprodan MicelPure Medical, which has been specifically formulated to address the unique requirements of medical nutrition products.
Medical nutrition, particularly aimed at combating malnutrition, is a dynamic sector projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5% from 2024 to 2027. Between 2019 and 2024, malnutrition was a claim made in 30% of new oral nutrition supplements (ONS) and 52% of tube-feed product launches globally, highlighting its significance in the market.
Malnutrition remains a critical concern worldwide, especially among vulnerable groups such as cancer patients and the elderly. Studies cited by Arla Foods Ingredients indicate that 20-70% of cancer patients and 30-70% of older adults suffer from undernutrition, which correlates with decreased quality of life and heightened mortality rates. However, research also shows that around half of patients prescribed medical nutrition plans face difficulties completing them, mainly due to unappealing textures and tastes.
Lacprodan MicelPure ingredients help address these challenges thanks to their milky, neutral taste and low viscosity, even at elevated protein levels. This characteristic enables easy flavour pairing and results in products that are more palatable to patients. The ingredients also exhibit excellent heat stability and processing flexibility, compatible with various high-protein production formats such as direct or indirect ultra-high temperature (UHT) treatment. This versatility supports the creation of ambient storage products in diverse packaging.
Within the existing portfolio, Lacprodan MicelPure serves well for milky oral nutrition supplements including tube feeds, while Lacprodan MicelPure Ins is an instantised form designed for ready-to-mix products, with both variants available in organic versions. The newly launched Lacprodan MicelPure Medical offers an adjusted mineral profile tailored to medical nutrition guidelines, along with a higher microbiological grade achieved through an enhanced extraction process. All products maintain low lactose and fat content, further supporting their suitability for medical use.
Mads Dyrvig, head of sales development for specialised nutrition at Arla Foods Ingredients, remarked, “Our Lacprodan MicelPure solutions are a great match for medical nutrition products that target protein malnutrition. Meeting patient needs for high protein content and quality, great taste and texture, and a wider variety of formats can enhance compliance with medical nutrition, helping to improve recovery and quality of life. Lacprodan MicelPure offers great functionality and processing versatility, opening up exciting opportunities for product innovation in a fast-growing market.”
Arla Foods Ingredients plans to present the Lacprodan MicelPure portfolio, including new high-protein prototypes tailored for the EU market, at Vitafoods Europe 2025. The showcased prototypes include a milky oral nutrition supplement and a vanilla pudding, each providing 13g of protein per 100ml, notable mouthfeel, and a mild, pleasant taste. These developments underscore the company’s commitment to supporting innovation in the expanding field of medical nutrition.
Source: Noah Wire Services