Arla Foods Ingredients expands Lacprodan EasyBar to South America for soft, high-protein bars
Key takeaways
- Lacprodan EasyBar allows manufacturers to create bite-sized snacks containing 40% high-quality protein without using added sugar, fat, or maltitol.
- The formulation maintains a soft, chewy texture for up to two years of shelf life using eight ingredients and no traditional water-binding agents like collagen.
- The launch targets a booming South American market where 81% of Brazilian snack bars carry health claims and nearly half of young adults specifically seek higher protein content.
(Image credit: Arla Foods Ingredients).Arla Foods Ingredients is expanding the global presence of its bite-sized 18 g protein bar concept featuring its customized protein solution, Lacprodan EasyBar. This ingredient delivers up to 40% high-quality protein in a convenient format and is also high in fiber, without added sugar, fat, or maltitol.
Arla Foods Ingredients will present the product concept in South America at the upcoming Nutri Ingredients Summit (Mar 31–Apr 1), in São Paulo, Brazil.
Based on eight ingredients, its formulation ensures stable softness over a two-year shelf life without requiring additional fat- or water-binding ingredients such as collagen.
Ignacio Estevez, application manager for South America at Arla Foods Ingredients, says the company will showcase the Easy Bite concept for the first time in South America, highlighting how Arla Foods Ingredients can provide specialized whey and milk protein ingredients for indulgent, high-protein bars and snacks to help manufacturers stay ahead of the game.
“Our protein bar ingredients deliver great taste, high protein content, and soft texture and bite for extended shelf life. They are ideal for optimizing texture, strengthening labeling claims, and creating a fast, easy-to-formulate solution.”
Brazil as a high-growth market
Targeting active, health-conscious consumers, the Easy Bar launch in South America is strategically timed to meet growing consumer cravings for healthier snack options in the region. According to Innova Market Insights data, 48% of Latin American consumers in 2025 ranked health and well-being as their top spending priority, ahead of living essentials.
Lacprodan EasyBar ensures stable softness over a two-year shelf life without requiring additional fat- or water-binding ingredients such as collagen.The market researcher highlights that one in four snack launches in Latin America last year featured at least one core health claim. However, penetration remains slightly below the global average (27% versus 30%). For the region’s energy bar segment, health claims appear in 67% of launches.
Lacprodan EasyBar’s chosen launch market of Brazil is the most active for snacking, representing one in three of all regional snack launches. For local consumers, 42% surveyed by Innova Market Insights said that protein is the most important ingredient in their food choices.
Reflecting this, a recent Arla Foods Ingredients survey of over 1,000 consumers in Brazil found that “great taste, naturalness, and high protein” content were their primary considerations when purchasing food.
Moreover, 40% wanted bars with higher protein content, rising to 49% of consumers aged 25 to 29.
In other innovative protein concepts, Arla Foods Ingredients will highlight a range of refreshing, clear whey protein water concepts at the Nutri Ingredients Summit. These include Lacprodan ISO.Water for ready-to-drink applications, and Lacprodan ISO.WaterShake for shakes with a clear, water-like quality, without dryness or protein off-flavors.
