FrieslandCampina Ingredients to boost infant gut health with 2’-FL approval in Thailand

30 Jan 2024 --- FrieslandCampina Ingredients reveals it has received regulatory approval for its 2’-Fucosyllactose (2’-FL) human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) ingredient, Aequival 2’-FL, in Thailand. According to the company, the approval extends its use to infant milk and follow-up formulas, broadening the ingredient’s application in early life nutrition (ELN).

As a result of the approval, FrieslandCampina Ingredients is now the only provider in Thailand of both HMOs and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS). This ingredient combination is expected to offer synergistic health benefits, particularly for infant gut health and the microbiome.

“Thailand’s early life nutrition market is thriving, particularly for children — a commonly overlooked area — but we anticipate a 20% volume growth in this specific segment by 2030 in this country,” says Sophie Nicolas, the global marketing lead for ELN at FrieslandCampina Ingredients.

“We previously secured approval for 2’-FL to be used in flavored milk drinks and developed concept applications such as ready-to-drink beverages for kids aged three upwards.”

The expanding HMO market
There is an increase in consumer interest in ingredients that support gut health and overall infant development. Innova Market Insights’ data suggests there has been a significant growth of 28% (CAGR) over the last five years in the global market for baby formulas and milks fortified with HMOs.

Moreover, it suggests that Asia leads these product launches, accounting for 45% between October 2022 and September 2023, with 2’-FL being the most commonly used HMO in these products.

“This latest approval is not only exciting due to the advantages our HMOs can deliver in infant milk formula, but also because Aequival 2’-FL can now be used across the full ELN category, from newborns to kids,” Nicolas stresses.

“This approval by the Thai FDA enables more brands to utilize these advanced ingredients, catering to a growing market demand for scientifically supported, health-promoting infant nutrition solutions.”

Proven benefits
2’-FL, as the most abundant HMO in human milk, is backed by scientific evidence for its efficacy in promoting gut health, brain development, cognition and learning. The company’s Aequival 2’-FL ingredient recently gained its final approval for entrance into China’s large infant formula market.

“Science shows that 2’-FL can play a vital role in supporting health in infancy and childhood, thanks in part to its bifidogenic effects,” Nicolas explains. “But this is just one example of the benefits offered by 2’-FL and oligosaccharides more widely.”

“We believe including other prebiotic ingredients alongside 2’-FL, such as our Vivinal GOS, could offer even more benefits by providing more diverse oligosaccharides structures in recipes. This, in turn, unlocks exciting opportunities for our customers in Thailand and the many other markets where Aequival 2’-FL and Vivinal GOS are available.”

Additionally, the company recently introduced its “Step Up Nutrition” platform for providing high-quality proteins and prebiotics for both infant milk formula and broader childhood applications.

Edited by William Bradford Nichols