Digestive Health

Addressing the growing demand for functional yogurts, Chr. Hansen (Milwaukee) has announced two new ranges of probiotic cultures, YoFlex and Nu-Trish, which aim to deliver ideal texture in low-fat drinking yogurts.

Danone (Paris), Probi (Lund, Sweden), and Skånemejerier (Malmö, Sweden) have signed a major deal to expand the market for probiotic fruit drinks in Europe.

Lynside Pro GI+ is a Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast designed to target intestinal discomfort such as that caused by Irritable Bowl Syndrome (IBS).

For the latest on what the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA; Parma, Italy) thinks about gut heath and immune function claims, check out the agency’s new draft guidance, introduced today.

For the latest on what the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA; Parma, Italy) thinks about gut heath and immune function claims, check out the agency’s new draft guidance, introduced today.

Lesaffre Human Care (Milwaukee) has launched Lynside Pro GI+, a yeast-derived probiotic for intestinal discomfort.

Ganeden Biotech Inc. (Cleveland) has announced a new partnership with Agostoni Chocolate (Lecco, Italy) to market the probiotic GanedenBC30 in chocolate bars. Under the Chocolate Plus Private Label, Agostoni...s Italian dark chocolate'”available at 70% cocoa content or 60% for a softer flavor'”now comes enriched with Ganeden...s patented strain of Bacillus coagulans, intended to deliver helpful bacteria to the digestive system.

Probiotics could be an emerging player in the weight-management market, according to market researcher Euromonitor International. While probiotics are still very fixated on digestive and immune health, new research is exploring the effects of probiotics on weight. 'As the evidence that obesity may have a microbial component continues to mount, the potential for probiotics as a key functional ingredient in weight management-positioned food and beverage products may emerge to be substantial,' says Ewa Hudson, head of Euromonitor...s health and wellness research.

MarketsAndMarkets (Dallas) has introduced a new market report on digestive health, highlighting current trends and ingredients, including digestive prebiotics, probiotics, and enzymes. The report also reviews major companies involved in this health sector, including BENEO-Group (Morris Plains, NJ), Cargill Inc. (Minneapolis), National Enzyme Company (Forsyth, MO), Chr Hansen A/S (Milwaukee), and Danisco A/S (Copenhagen).

New Nutrition Business names digestive health as the top health trend in its '10 Key Trends in Food, Nutrition & Health 2010' report. '[Digestive health...s] importance to consumers has been underscored by the impressive growth rates of digestive health brands, with sales of even premium brands increasing 10 to 20% during the recession,' says NNB.

A new dossier has been released for the product Lactium, according to its exclusive international distributor Pharmachem Laboratories (Pharmachem; Kearny, NJ).

UAS Laboratories (Eden Prairie, MN) has announced that its DDS brand probiotics are now kosher-certified by OK Kosher (Brooklyn, NY). The company...s DDS line of probiotics, including DDS Acidophilus and DDS Junior, is available in 37 countries around the world. OK Kosher currently certifies over 300,000 products from over 1500 companies.

Thanks to a new partnership with Glanbia Nutritionals (Monroe, WI), Ganeden Biotech (Cleveland) will be showcasing its patented GanedenBC30 probiotic strain in stick pack form at the upcoming IFT Annual Meeting and Food Expo in Chicago.

Ganeden Biotech Inc. has partnered with Tropical Nut & Fruit Inc. to create yogurt-covered raisins containing Ganeden...s GanedenBC30 Bacillus coagulans strain. In total, the companies plan to develop four functional confectionary products. Currently, the probiotic-yogurt raisins are available for bulk purchase. Samples can be tried at the upcoming IFT Annual Meeting and Food Expo.

Nordic Naturals has introduced Omega Probiotic, a blend of fish oil and Bacillus coagulans probiotics, marketed for digestive health. In a press release, the company said, 'Concentrated fish oil works in synergy with a unique spore-form probiotic, Bacillus coagulans, to deliver all the health benefits of omega-3 (EPA and DHA), while also supporting the immune system and promoting an optimal balance of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract.'

Originally Published

As part of the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA; Parma, Italy) ongoing series of public consultations on health claims guidance, the agency has announced that it will hold a meeting on scientific requirements for gut health and immune function health claims on December 2 in Amsterdam.

As part of the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA; Parma, Italy) ongoing series of public consultations on health claims guidance, the agency has announced that it will hold a meeting on scientific requirements for gut health and immune function health claims on December 2, 2010, in Amsterdam.

Bayer Consumer Care, a division of Bayer HealthCare LLC), is calling its new Phillips...-brand Colon Health Probiotic + Fiber a 'two-in-one' supplement that combines three probiotic strains and inulin prebiotic fiber to maintain the digestive system...s 'natural balance' and help defend against digestive disturbances, including against occasional diarrhea, constipation, gas, and bloating.

While 30% of consumers say they make it a point to eat naturally fiber-rich foods, studies show that most Americans are failing to meet their recommended daily fiber intake, said market researcher Mintel International, according to a recent survey taken. Mintel said that the lack of fiber in the American diet may be attributed to a negative taste perception of fiber. In the survey, 27% of respondents indicated their belief that food with added fiber usually has an 'unpleasant' taste.

Originally Published

Find yourself suffering from a “food coma” after consuming a big meal? Enzyme specialist National Enzyme Co. (Forsyth, MO) may have a solution. At this weekend’s Natural MarketPlace trade show in Las Vegas, the company will debut ZIP eX2-a new “three-tiered” supplement solution that combines enzymes, herbs, and vitamins to help consumers both increase nutrient absorption and fight the feelings of fatigue that can come from “energy-zapping digestive stress.”

Some individuals have rather specific digestive issues. For example, some populations have difficulty digesting dairy products. In the United States, nearly 10% of the population is considered lactose intolerant. Some populations have even higher incidence of intolerance, such as Native Americans, with rates as high as 80% in adults.

Originally Published

Originally Published Chewable Probiotic