Univar to distribute Valio’s lactose-free milk powders in select European countries

28 May 2020 --- Valio has appointed Univar Solutions as the distributor of its Eila lactose-free milk powders across select European countries, creatings new opportunities for Valio in the food industry. As the digestive health market and concerns over lactose intolerance grow, the product range may allow food manufacturers to deliver new recipes that satisfy the growing consumer trend around lactose-free products. The select countries are Sweden, UK, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Greece. 

“With increased consumer awareness of digestive wellness and market growth in ‘free-from’ products across Europe, our partnership with Valio on its Eila range of lactose-free ingredients provides Univar Solutions with an exciting, new opportunity. These unique ingredients will further expand our portfolio and enhance our value to all customers seeking to develop innovative recipes with a lactose-free claim across multiple categories,” says Simon Atkins, Industry Director of Food Ingredients EMEA at Univar Solutions.

"The best customer experience is the driver for the co-operation. Local warehouses and flexible logistics by Univar improve our reactivity. We improve also our possibility to reach and support new customers to grow their businesses with the help of lactose free milk powders. On top of the lactose free claim, these product enable customers also to reduce sugar content and increase protein level of their food products,” Tuula Hietanen, International B2B Marketing Manager at Valio, tells NutritionInsight.

“We improve also our possibility to reach and support new customers to grow their businesses with the help of lactose free milk powders,” says Tuula Hietanen, International B2B Marketing Manager at Valio.Products made with Valio Eila lactose-free ingredients provide a number of added benefits, including aiding with digestive comfort, while providing nutritional value. Moreover, they offer natural sugar reduction – in line with low-sugar trends – and protein enrichment. These ingredients offer lactose intolerant individuals the opportunity to enjoy dairy-based products without unpleasant symptoms caused by indigestion, Valio says.

With this exclusive agreement, it is well-positioned to meet the needs of manufacturers for confectionery, ice cream, dairy, bakery, ready meal, special nutrition and other products, who are seeking an increasing amount of lactose-free options, Univar Solutions notes.

The company supports that approximately 70 percent of the world’s population suffers from some level of lactose intolerance. As the awareness of digestive wellness and lactose intolerance is increasing all over the world, consumers are looking for lactose free solutions that do not compromise on premium quality and taste in their food, Univar claims.

Eila lactose-free milk powders are manufactured from fresh Finnish milk using Valio’s patented technology for an unchanged milk mineral composition and natural taste of milk.

“We are excited to partner with Univar Solutions in expanding our footprint in the lactose-free food space. Consumers have become more educated and aware of digestive wellness and the benefits of a freefrom diet and are looking for more options in lactose-free products. With Univar Solutions’ extensive market reach, technical expertise and collaborative approach to supplier partnerships,” says Timo Pajari, Senior Vice President, International Sales for Valio.

Last year, the Finnish dairy manufacturer also developed a lactose-free milk protein powder that caters to the nutritional demands of the growing aging population, coined Valio Eila Nutri F+. The ingredient allows food manufacturers to develop formulations that utilize the benefits of phospholipids on cognitive health and create functional food products for healthy aging.

In the same space, DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences unveiled, earlier this month, its latest enzyme for the lactose-free dairy market with the North American launch of Bonlacta. The solution allows for process optimization and cost reduction. One of the key benefits is that it’s fast-acting under refrigeration conditions and can withstand high temperatures to enable new, optimized processes with even faster lactose hydrolysis targets.

By Kristiana Lalou

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