European dairy trends: Glanbia Nutritionals sees lactoferrin and health-indulgence “renaissance”

14 Dec 2020 --- Glanbia Nutritionals’ outlook on dairy in 2021 is “very positive,” says Carla Clissmann, EMEA commercial director.

New consumer standards require making everyday dairy products healthy and fun, while whey proteins are growing popular in active nutrition demographics.

NutritionInsight speaks with Clissmann about drivers for global dairy demand and its health association with immunity amid the COVID-19 pandemic. She also explores further insights on next year’s dairy trends.

From sports secret to public knowledge
Elite athletes and clinical nutritionists have long been keeping “the secret” nutritional benefits of whey protein to themselves, says Clissmann.

“Elite performers seek out specialist information that helps them to achieve their goals. Every second counts, every meter counts, every gram of protein counts.”

Whey protein bars are surging in sports nutrition, where “every gram of protein counts,” notes Clissmann.Whey proteins especially gained prominence in this context given their high quality, containing all the essential amino acids in an easily absorbable form.

“Now, as more people get interested in health and fitness, brands share this information in more user-friendly forms. Health-conscious consumers are reaping the benefits for themselves,” Clissmann explains.

 Innova Market Insights spotlights the use of dairy proteins in F&B. With an average annual growth of 21 percent globally between 2015 and 2019, Sports Nutrition is the fastest-growing category of launches containing dairy proteins. 

Dairy manufacturers are innovating their products to fit within high-protein and active lifestyle demands, bridging the gap between traditional dairy and sports nutrition.

“Renaissance in interest” for lactoferrin
Since the pandemic outbreak, dairy ingredients have been in the spotlight for their health benefits, according to Glanbia Nutritionals. This has also been observed by Volac, Arla Food Ingredients and FrieslandCampina Ingredients.

Although the COVID-19 crisis has propelled immunity awareness to the fore, it has “always been there,” says Clissmann. “Immunity has been better understood in Asia over the years and is now increasingly being picked up in Europe.”

Research-backed dairy ingredients such as bovine lactoferrin, which has been used in Asia for many years, are enjoying a “renaissance in interest,” Clissmann adds. 

“It should be noted that bovine lactoferrin does not currently have an European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) health claim but it can be used in combination with iron, which does – and most tummies are the happier for the partnership.”

Bioferrin, Glanbia’s lactoferrin, is a bioavailable way to balance iron. Rather than adding other iron sources, which can cause intestinal inflammation, Bioferrin binds to the iron already present, helping the body absorb more of it. 

According to the World Health Organization, iron deficiency and anemia continue to be a top global health concern, impacting women and children in particular.

Different economies’ needs in 2021
In terms of regional differences, Glanbia Nutritionals observes solid demand in three gears:

• Developing markets seeking cost-effective solutions and responsible nutrition.
• Fast-growing economies meeting the need for convenience, taste and health.
• More established economies seeking nutritional products to recalibrate and enhance the diet. 

“Regardless of where global markets are, dairy-based ingredients continue to be a trusted and dependable source of nutrition,” Clissmann affirms.

At the dairy level, the European market is moving toward healthier snacking and indulgence.Europe is following the move toward healthier snacking, indulgence and enhancing the consumption experience. 

“Active consumers in late adulthood are increasingly attracted to more traditional food formats such as breakfast items like yogurt or porridge that can be whey protein-fortified both with powder but also with crisps, flakes and other inclusions.”

Ensuring that food is fair and equitable, combining with plant options and contributing to communities is also increasingly important to consumers in this region.

This taps into Innova Market Insights’ top trend for 2021, “Transparency Triumphs,” which explores how transparency is increasing to meet evolving ethical and environmental benchmarks.  

Overall, “bringing fun into food” will be a primary driver in the dairy health trend, Clissmann notes, projecting taste and functionality in plant-powered and dairy-based ingredients will be crucial in scoring the “best advantage for optimal nutrition.”

By Anni Schleicher