Arla launches MFGM-packed concepts for children’s cognitive development

25 Nov 2019 --- Arla Foods Ingredients (AFI) has launched two maternal supplementation prototypes under the Smart Mama concept to support children’s cognitive development during pregnancy and lactation. A low-fat source of protein and calcium, the Smart Mama drink contains milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), which can support brain development and cognitive function, as well as folic acid, which helps prevent neural tube congenital disabilities. Moreover, the Smart Mama bar is high in protein, calcium and fiber. The company, a developer and supplier of nutritional and functional milk-based ingredients, is also set to showcase both Smart Mama concepts at Food Ingredients Europe (FiE) hosted in Paris, France, December 3-5 next week.

“We believe that there will be even more focus on maternal nutrition in the future. Studies show that a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle during pregnancy and lactation induce long-term positive health outcomes for the developing baby, including benefits for brain development. We anticipate that food manufacturers will launch more high-quality functional foods for maternal nutrition that will include highly nutritious ingredients, such as MFGM,” Manel Romeu Bellés, Industry Marketing Manager at AFI, tells NutritionInsight.

Anticipating this rising market demand, AFI has developed the Smart Mama maternal nutrition B2B concept for food manufacturers, offering convenient and ready-to-market protein bar and beverage prototypes containing MFGM.

“During pregnancy and lactation, the mother is the main source of nutrition for the developing infant, so it’s important that she makes the best possible dietary choices. Our Smart Mama drink and Smart Mama bar concepts are convenient, offer a great taste and provide Lacprodan MFGM-10, which has documented benefits for brain development when applied in early-life nutrition products,” says Anne Staudt Kvistgaard, AFI’s Senior Manager, Early Life Nutrition.

Ingredient information on the Smart Mama products. Source: Arla Foods Ingredients.Many mothers are unaware of their need to consume ample amounts of folic acid. Manufactured folic acid is converted into folate, one of the B vitamins, by the body and is often used as a dietary supplement and in food fortification. Humans cannot make folate and is therefore an essential vitamin, especially for expecting and lactating mothers.

According to Innova Market Insights data, the top health claim in maternal nutrition global new product launches was brain health. As mothers should ideally increase their food intake with healthy foods, sugar reduction and high-quality protein trends are increasingly gaining industry’s attention.

Milk fat globule membranes
As the understanding of infant development grows, parent-consumers seek products that are safe and with a rich nutritional profile. MFGM is naturally found in breast milk and is comprised of phospholipids, glycolipids, proteins and glycoproteins. It also contains ingredients made from whey, all which have been introduced into the infant nutrition category.

Previous research has shown that standard infant formula lacks MFGM, which is essential to providing a composition similar to breast milk – the gold standard of nutrition for infants. 

Containing the ingredient Lacprodan MFGM-10 in the beverage and snack bar, the two Smart Mama concepts’ whey protein concentrate features the benefits of MFGM. “Infant clinical studies with Lacprodan MFGM-10 have demonstrated significant beneficial effects for cognitive development, immune system maturation and gastrointestinal health. Lacprodan MFGM-10 is supported by the longest history of use and the most comprehensive and compelling clinical documentation available,” Bellés explains.

One AFI-endorsed survey of 5,500 pregnant women and mothers across seven countries showed that as many as 20 percent of participants were aware of the importance of MFGM in infant nutrition. Another found that high numbers of mothers globally not only recognize whey-derived ingredients but also have a preference for products that contain them.

This year’s focus
Introducing Lacprodan MFGM-10 to the market, AFI has pioneered the development of natural whey-derived ingredients, as AFI’s mission this year has been to focus on the ingredient’s role in closing the gap between infant formula and breast milk.

Another concept the company is divulging further into is allergy management and discomfort reduction with milk protein hydrolysates, says Bellés. “Our new product development has focused on expanding our whey protein hydrolysate portfolio. Also, this year we’ve launched a premium quality HA lactose for hypoallergenic formulas,” he concludes.

By Anni Schleicher