Special Drink Cap Makes Non-Refrigerated Probiotic Drinks Possible

Shelf-stable, non-refrigerated probiotic beverages are now possible, thanks to a partnership between probiotic ingredient supplier Chr. Hansen (Hoersholm, Denmark) and Fresh Beverages International (Dublin). Thanks to a new “dosing cap,” which keeps active ingredients contained in the beverage cap, only to be dispensed into the beverage liquid right before serving, Chr. Hansen’s probiotic strain Bifidobacterium BB-12 can now be served in shelf-stable beverages.

In a press release, Chr. Hansen stated that although probiotics have been popular in refrigerated dairy products such as yogurt, “due to insurmountable challenges with the survival of the live probiotic bacteria in beverages kept at ambient temperature, the non-refrigerated beverage category has always been non-probiotic territory. Until now.”

Bifidobacterium BB-12 is marketed for promoting digestive and immune health. “The partnership with Fresh Beverages International offers a convenient way for beverage producers to offer probiotics in virtually any type of drink,” stated Lars Bredmose, Chr. Hansen’s marketing director of probiotic cultures.

Fresh Beverages’ twist-and-shake dispensing cap is called the Shinsen cap and was developed in Japan. The company says it features patented “seal and gas flushing technology” to create an airtight seal.