Arla Foods Ingredients introduces high-protein medical nutrition ingredient with “best taste yet”

Arla Foods Ingredients has improved the taste profile of whey protein hydrolysate in its latest ingredient launch. The new highly hydrolyzed whey protein ingredient Lacprodan DI-3092 has minimal bitterness to overcome a key flavor challenge in peptide-based medical nutrition. 

Lacprodan DI-3092 allows 10 g of “high-quality single-source” protein to be packed into 100 ml — “significantly higher” than the market standard of 6–7 g per 100 ml, as Arla Foods Ingredients gauges from Innova Market Insights data.

Whey protein hydrolysates are produced through an enzymatic process that breaks proteins into peptides. Sometimes described as “pre-digested,” they are an essential solution for the nutritional needs of patients with impaired gastrointestinal function or nutrient absorption.

Many patients report that medical drinks, on average, have an unpleasant texture and taste. In a recent study cited by Arla Foods Ingredients, half of those recommended medical nutrition plans were not completed or did not take the full dosage.

“Whey protein hydrolysates are essential for peptide-based medical nutrition but there are three key challenges in the category. The first is to improve taste and texture, which is important to ensure patient compliance,” says Mads Dyrvig, head of Sales Development, Specialised Nutrition at Arla Foods Ingredients.

“The second is to go higher in protein, and the third is to do that using a high-quality protein source. Lacprodan DI-3092 — our best-tasting whey protein hydrolysate yet — overcomes all three challenges.”

Arla Foods Ingredients has created two new prototypes to showcase the new product: a ready-to-drink beverage and a ready-to-mix powder. The 200 Kcal recipes contain 10 g protein/100 ml and offer a “very mild taste” and low viscosity.

Lacprodan DI-3092 offers a high degree of hydrolysis (16–22%) and low lactose content. It is also UHT-stable, making it suitable for direct and indirect heat treatment.

Bulking up protein innovation

In other protein developments, Arla Foods Ingredients recently introduced the Essentials Bar at last week’s SupplySide West trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada, US (Oct 30–31). Touted as “the ultimate high-protein wholefood snack,” the natural concept bar overcomes several of the common problems associated with integrating whey protein with wholefood bars.

Over the summer, the US FDA confirmed that four whey protein hydrolysates under Arla Foods Ingredients’ Lacprodan and Peptigen brands are permitted for early-life nutrition. The ingredients support allergy management and gut comfort.