Calcium-rich RTD? Arla launches ingredient for calcium fortification in beverages

07 May 2019 --- Arla Foods Ingredients (AFI) has launched a clean-label ingredient solution for calcium fortification in beverages. Capolac milk mineral concentrate is gently derived from milk and naturally contains a high content of bio-available calcium and phosphorus, making it a viable alternative to traditional calcium fortification in beverages, according to the company. “Just 1g of Capolac contains the equivalent calcium as a glass of milk and provides opportunities to make health and nutritional claims relating to calcium,” Anne Stenbaek of AFI tells NutritionInsight.

According to Innova Market Insights data, fortified water is forecast for 6 percent CAGR by 2022. Consumers are looking for more than just refreshment and choose beverage products that can cater to the better-for-you trend. Brands are also following this trend towards wellbeing and the communication of “feel good” claims are increasingly seen. This is stimulating product activity, with 36 percent growth reported in food and beverages with a “feel good” claim (Global, 2017 vs. 2016).

The new launch follows a recent Arla Foods research which revealed that about four out of five people across Northern Europe are not aware of the nutrients they consume in their daily diet. Forty percent of consumers admitted they felt they lacked some essential nutrients and roughly 50 percent did not understand the importance of dairy as a source of vitamins and minerals. The survey was conducted by the YouGov analysis institute.

Capolac’s applications
Capolac milk mineral can be applied to a large number of food applications and contributes to an improved nutritional profile. AFI has many years of experience in the use of Capolac milk mineral and offers a wide range of ready to implement recipes for dairy products and ice cream, Stenbaek says.

“Our recent campaign highlights how Capolac can also be easily dispersed into low pH beverages such as flavored waters, soft drinks, protein drinks, and juices, is neutral in taste and will provide a stable product at ambient temperatures that young consumers will enjoy,” Stenbaek explains. “So long as the pH remains close to 3.0, Capolac will be stable in any beverage.”

Convenience and familiarity
According to a study commissioned by the Center for Generational Kinetics on young adult consumers, approximately 79 percent said that being able to understand everything on the ingredient list boosted their trust in the product.

Capolac is touted as being “clean label,” a term which Innova Market Insights coined for its 2015 trends list has now fully entered industry parlance. The market researcher reports a 13 percent CAGR in food and beverage launches with a clean label claim (Global, 2013-2017). Products with this type of positioning accounted for 29 percent of global new food and beverage launches in 2017. 

Young adults surveyed using different social media messages stated that communicating calcium-rich products as great-tasting was the largest personal motivator for their consumption. 

Other surveys showed that many young adults are not meeting their dietary calcium requirements, citing the inconvenience of traditional dairy products, a good source of calcium, as a barrier to consumption. Convenience is a major trending theme in the industry. As consumers are looking for natural, tasty and convenient ways of consuming ingredients with health benefits, the industry is facing a switch from dietary supplements to functional foods and beverages. In this space, quick meals and snacks are seeing increased traction, with 10 percent average annual growth of global launches with a snacking claim over the past five years (CAGR, 2013-2017).

Other notable Arla NPD
The company’s commitment to innovation and NPD is keeping up with industry trends. Recently, AFI released a 100 percent whey protein hydrolysate solution specifically developed for sparkling protein water formulations. The debut comes as the functional beverages space is rapidly growing and major retailers are releasing fortified waters with several functional advantages, such as gut health, protein and vitamin immunity. Lacprodan HYDRO.Clear is sugar- and fat-free and is suitable for sports nutrition beverages.

In late 2018, AFI launched a new concept that allows manufacturers to create a protein shot made exclusively with whey as a protein source. The “Protein Extreme” concept packs 20g of high-quality whey protein into a convenient 100ml, low-calorie serving. In addition, the company launched a protein biscuit concept that is touted as being tasty as well as providing all the benefits of protein-rich foods. The Whey-Pro Biscuit concept demonstrates that it is possible to combine a high-protein claim with an indulgent taste, says AFI. The new concept can help biscuit manufacturers tap into the high-protein and healthy indulgence trends while overcoming technical challenges, according to the company. 

By Kristiana Lalou