On-the-go prebiotics: FrieslandCampina Ingredients unveils Biotis GOS

29 May 2020 --- FrieslandCampina Ingredients is launching Biotis GOS, a galactooligosaccharide prebiotic, along with a health benefits platform, which is also called Biotis. The platform will allow customers to tap into various health benefits sought by consumers, beginning with gut health. Elements such as immunity, sleep and maternal health will follow. Vicky Davies, Global Marketing Director of Performance and Active Nutrition at FrieslandCampina Ingredients, speaks to NutritionInsight in an exclusive interview about how this launch taps into key consumer trends for convenience and on-the-go consumption.

“We’re launching Biotis GOS as the leading ingredient within the range of gut health products. GOS is an ingredient that we have a long heritage with. We’re leveraging 15 years of past experience in NPD and clinical research. Additionally, there have been one and a half years spent dedicated to R&D for Biotis specifically. We are translating the knowledge and functionality that we have for this ingredient within early life nutrition into our adult nutrition segments, which can benefit brand owners in this space,” she explains. 

 The company has developed various prototypes for this launch, including shots.Biotis GOS, which is available globally, is backed by numerous studies, with focus over the last three to four years being on bloating, constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms in adults. Additionally, one of the key actions of Biotis GOS is promoting bifidobacterium growth in the gut, with the company devoting much to research in this area. Davies explains that the company is also involved in a number of consumer studies, as well as with universities to further detail the body of evidence around Biotis GOS.

Tapping into convenience
Biotis GOS is unique to FrieslandCampina Ingredients and boasts being very stable, even in heat or in acidic environments. It comes in both a powder and a liquid syrup form and is also applicable to a wide range of products, including bars and snacks, which cater to the consumer trends for convenient and portable nutrition. The company has developed various prototypes of bars, shots and clear beverages for this launch, with more in the pipeline. 

Davies notes that the development has seen no major impact relating to COVID-19 and that the only effect on the launch is that it is now fully digital.

“Even in the environment we’re in at the moment, convenience and on-the-go are still key formats that consumers are looking for. Additionally, the healthier-for-you category is also active, which includes yogurt and bite-size snacks that can be eaten on the move. Meanwhile, the compact shots format is very popular at the moment, as well as other beverage applications such as prebiotic protein water,” explains Davies. 

Prebiotics have been in the spotlight driven by their links to supporting overall health and inner well-being. Late last year, DuPont launched a flagship dairy enzyme that converts lactose to GOS fiber. Meanwhile, Galam launched a fructooligosaccharide (FOS) ingredient at ProSweets in February. 

The health-conscious consumerBars appeal to time-crunched consumers.
According to Innova Market Insights, there has been a 37 percent annual growth in food and beverage launches tracked with a prebiotic claim and a feel-good claim (Global, CAGR 2014-2018). While Baby and Toddlers is the number one category for prebiotics, Sports Nutrition is starting to catch up. Accounting for 46 percent of F&B launches in 2018, inulin is the top prebiotic ingredient, although GOS comes in third place, being spotted in 19 percent of F&B launches. 

Prebiotic protein water is another potential application.“Consumers are more health-conscious and educated about their lifestyle choices than ever before. They recognize that health is a joined-up proposition, meaning that all elements of their wellbeing are interconnected. In terms of gut health, 15 percent of consumers globally are unsatisfied with their current digestive health situation. A third of consumers globally say they suffer from digestive health problems and among athletes, 30 to 50 percent suffer from digestive issues. All are searching for results, and we aim to enable our customers to deliver solutions to meet these consumer needs,” says Davies. 

Notably, “The Right Bite” features as one of Innova Market Insights’ top trends for 2020 trends as consumers increasingly seek to maintain physical and mental well-being as they balance family, career and social responsibilities. 

“Balancing busy lifestyles is necessary as consumers want to live life to the fullest, but feel that it also takes a toll on them, with ‘fast’ lifestyles also necessitating compromise and rebalancing. Convenience is key in this area, prompting a demand for meals that are easy to prepare and cook, which in turn provides opportunities for ready meals and meal kits,” the market researcher details.

By Katherine Durrell, with additional reporting by Benjamin Ferrer