Arla Foods Ingredients will serve up innovative concepts for high-protein ready-to-drink (RTD) tea and coffee at Vitafoods Europe (May 9th to 11th).
The market for functional RTD teas and coffees is predicted to grow 6 – 7 % by 2026,* creating opportunities for both sports nutrition manufacturers and mainstream health brands. To support them, Arla Foods Ingredients has created two inspirational new RTD concepts:
- A cold brew coffee that works as either a morning caffeine boost or a pre-workout energiser. High in protein, calcium and caffeine, but low in sugar and fat, it will appeal to the 58 % of consumers who choose functional food and beverages that increase their energy levels.*
- A refreshing RTD tea, designed as the perfect mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Flavoured with yuzu and high in protein and calcium, it’s tea but with an invigorating new twist, and is ideal for the 57 % of consumers who choose products that support strong and healthy bones.*
Both concepts owe their high protein and calcium content to Lacprodan MicelPure®, a micellar casein isolate produced using gentle membrane filtration technology. As well as allowing on-pack nutrition claims, its benefits include a mild milky taste and low viscosity throughout a product’s shelf life. During production, Lacprodan MicelPure® offers outstanding heat stability, unlocking a range of processing, packaging and flavour options.
Troels Nørgaard Laursen, Director for Health & Performance at Arla Foods Ingredients, said: “Consumers are increasingly seeking out beverages that are novel and convenient and also offer a nutritional boost. RTD teas and coffees with functional benefits are riding a major wave right now, and these concepts demonstrate how they can deliver an on-trend combination of protein, calcium and caffeine.”
Arla Foods Ingredients will exhibit at Vitafoods Europe on Stand G30. Other concepts on show will include a multi-textured bar with protein in every layer, a special edition of which has been created for Vitafoods, and Rehydrate & Restore – a clear refreshing RTD beverage solution which combines protein with electrolytes.
*Innova Market Insights
Arla Foods Ingredients has developed a solution that allows the creation of fermented drinks that are both clear and high in protein – a new innovation in the healthy beverage space.
As demonstrated by the continuing popularity of kombucha, drinking yoghurts and clear protein drinks, there is high demand for novel ready-to-drink products. Recent innovations include fermented protein beverages, which offer synergistic health benefits because protein supports the growth and viability of probiotics.
The new solution, which is based on 100 % whey-based hydrolysates Lacprodan®HYDRO.365 and Nutrilac® FO-8571, opens up new ways to give fermented protein beverages a twist. Because it significantly minimizes cloudiness and sedimentation, it can be used to create high-protein fermented beverages that are just as clear as alternatives without protein.
Manufacturers can use it with thermophilic cultures for fermented drinks, or mesophilic cultures for kombucha-style beverages, both of which are high in probiotics – meeting a key consumer need – and lactose-free. They can also be produced on a standard yoghurt processing line.
Barbara Jensen, Sales Development Manager at Arla Foods Ingredients, said: “The market for healthy beverages is incredibly dynamic, with categories like kombucha enjoying phenomenal success. Our goal is always to help our customers lead innovation and now we’re giving them opportunities to offer consumers a new twist on fermented protein beverages – a category that’s already very exciting. With this new solution they can create on-trend beverages that are not only high in both protein and probiotics, but also stand out from the pack because of their clear, refreshing appearance.”
Arla Foods Germany is the first company to opt for the innovative SIGNATURE PACK from SIG – the world’s first aseptic carton pack that is 100 % linked to plant-based renewable material. Arla now offers its 1 litre 1.5 % and 3.8 % organic milk (Arla® BIO Weidemilch) in the SIGNATURE PACK.
Responding to consumer demand
By choosing SIG’s innovative SIGNATURE PACK, Arla is demonstrating its commitment to sustainability as it strives to increase the market share of its organic dairy products. Arla’s organic milk cartons now carry a clear message to consumers: buying this pack promotes the use of renewable raw materials to protect fossil resources while making a positive impact in reducing the CO2 level compared with a standard carton pack.
Promoting environmental sustainability
SIGNATURE PACK cartons are made from 77 % paper board from wood and 23 % plant-based polymers through mass balancing. This means that for the polymers used in the SIGNATURE PACK, an equivalent amount of bio-based feedstock went into the manufacturing of the polymers. To ensure the integrity of this process, the mass balancing is certified through internationally recognised third-parties.
The packs are aluminium-free, while maintaining product quality. Their carbon footprint is 72 % lower than a standard SIG carton pack of the same format, based on a life cycle assessment (CB-100732 of 02.03.2018) carried out by independent experts using the ISO 14040 international standard.
These credentials are displayed on Arla’s organic milk packs, together with the FSCTM label which shows consumers that the wood-based content comes from well-managed forests and other controlled sources in accordance to FSC requirements.
The polymers that make up the rest of the SIGNATURE PACK cartons, including the barrier and the spout, are linked to 100 % plant-based material using recognised and audited certification schemes (ISCC PLUS and TÜV SÜD CMS71) to ensure strict traceability and accountability.
