Maxum Foods to manufacture and distribute OptiBiotix’s SlimBiome in Australia and New Zealand

22 Aug 2019 --- Dairy supplier Maxum Foods will manufacture and distribute OptiBiotix Health Plc’s weight management technology, SlimBiome, in Australia and New Zealand. UK-based OptiBiotix is a life science business that focuses on developing microbiome related compounds to tackle obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol. SlimBiome uses a blend of non-digestible prebiotics and dietary fibers to create a longer-lasting feeling of fullness and can help to address Oceanic chronic health conditions, where two in three of Australian adults are overweight or obese.

“The deal with Maxum is another strategic step by OptiBiotix to de-risk our supply chain and extend the market reach of SlimBiome by adding manufacturing in Australia. It also adds to the production agreements we’ve signed in Europe, North American and India,” Dr. Fred Narbel, Managing Director of OptiBiotix’s prebiotics division, tells NutritionInsight.

“Partnering with an established company that services over 950 customers allows us to access a market worth AU$320 million in 2019 very rapidly. Most importantly, it allows us to have access to their expertise in the food industry to address regulatory hurdles. Maxum has a reputation for supplying high-quality products to the food industry, servicing over 950 customers to whom it sells approximately 35,000 metric tons of dairy per year,” Dr. Narbel continues.

SDr. Fred Narbel, Managing Director of OptiBiotix’s prebiotics division.limBiome helps burn calories by promoting healthy metabolism and maintains blood sugar levels to prevent overeating. According to the company, the functional ingredient has been shown to reduce calorie intake by up to 20 percent and lower food cravings. The product is suitable for a wide range of uses including snack bars, meal replacement shakes, dairy and bakery products. It is also heat-stable and has no distinguishable taste. Dr. Narbel notes that there will be a slight difference in formulation for the Australasian market to adapt the ingredients to local regulations.

“The manufacturing and supply of SlimBiome is aligned with our goal of bringing innovative and high-quality products to our customers. Maxum Foods is propelled by a mantra of making life easy for food manufacturers across Australia and New Zealand. This distribution deal will allow us to help our customers develop high-performing end products that meet consumer demands,” Breanna Caton, Marketing Manager at Maxum Foods, tells NutritionInsight. 

SlimBiome is available in regions including Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle-East, UK & Ireland and Western Europe. More recently, OptiBiotix has expanded to the US, Canada and Mexico. “We believe working with Maxum, and similar partners around the world, provide the best opportunity of increasing our global commercial reach and catering to the growing interest we see in SlimBiome from partners worldwide,” says Dr. Narbel.

Rumble Down Under
Products that address gut health are on the rise, including in the Southern Hemisphere. “Numerous studies show that a healthy gut is the foundation of overall wellness, as a balanced, positive human microbiome is associated with vitality and healthy aging. Consumers are now more educated on the benefits of a healthy gut, which is why the digestive wellness trend has exploded in 2019,” says Caton.

“The nature of the bacteria in the gut determines how well or poorly food is absorbed into the body and experts are now arguing that prebiotics are better than other methods as they help drive the production of healthy bacteria in the gut. This is leading to the development of next-generation science-based products that aid with the health issue of obesity,” explains Dr. Narbel.

Earlier this month, a study found that a high-fat diet can weaken the gut immune system and lead to insulin resistance and, ultimately, diabetes. “Consumers are acknowledging the link between digestive health and overall health, and they are buying products that deliver digestive health benefits. Food manufacturers can now create products that target this digestive wellness trend and meet consumer needs at breakfast, lunch and dinner,” Caton continues.SlimBiome, as found in SlimBiome Medical.

Yesterday, a survey showed that Australians are spending a third of their weekly budget on fast food, which is possibly driving an aspect of the high obesity rate. Younger people are especially likely to prioritize meals that are easy and quick over those that are healthier. Additionally, one in six were not aware of the link between a poor diet and obesity at all.

“Evidence from systematic reviews suggests that long term weight loss through changes in eating and physical activity is possible. However, scientific reviews show few people manage to maintain these changes in weight over the long term as they typically rely on self-control to restrict calories. As a consequence, they have a high failure rate with weight loss from behavioral interventions typically peaking at around six months into the weight loss attempt, followed by gradual regain of weight in most individuals,” Dr. Narbel notes.

“We believe the driving interest in weight management technology falls under the wellness phenomenon that is sweeping the globe. Consumers are now dramatically more proactive when it comes to their health. They are taking greater control of their own lives, both physically and mentally and choosing food and beverage products that help them to better achieve their desired lifestyle. Essentially consumers want products that ‘helps you help yourself,’” Caton adds.

By Katherine Durrell