THAILAND – FrieslandCampina Ingredients has announced the receipt of regulatory approval for its 2’-Fucosyllactose (2’-FL) human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) ingredient, Aequival 2’-FL, in Thailand.
The approval extends its use to infant milk and follow-up formulas, broadening the application of the ingredient in early-life nutrition (ELN).
As a result of this approval, FrieslandCampina Ingredients has become the exclusive provider in Thailand of both HMOs and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS).
The combination of these ingredients is expected to offer synergistic health benefits, particularly for infant gut health and the microbiome.
Sophie Nicolas, the global marketing lead for ELN at FrieslandCampina Ingredients, highlighted the thriving early-life nutrition market in Thailand, particularly for children, anticipating a 20% volume growth in this specific segment by 2030.
The company had previously secured approval for the use of 2’-FL in flavored milk drinks and developed concept applications such as ready-to-drink beverages for children aged three and upwards.
Consumer interest in ingredients supporting gut health and overall infant development has been on the rise.
Innova Market Insights data suggests a significant 28% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the last five years in the global market for baby formulas and milks fortified with HMOs.
Asia leads in product launches, accounting for 45% between October 2022 and September 2023, with 2’-FL being the most commonly used HMO in these products.
The approval by the Thai FDA allows Aequival 2’-FL to be used across the entire ELN category, from newborns to children.
This is seen as a significant development, enabling more brands to leverage these advanced ingredients and meet the growing market demand for scientifically supported, health-promoting infant nutrition solutions.
2’-FL, the most abundant HMO in human milk, is supported by scientific evidence for its efficacy in promoting gut health, brain development, cognition, and learning.
FrieslandCampina Ingredients aims to capitalize on the proven benefits of 2’-FL by combining it with other prebiotic ingredients, such as Vivinal GOS, to provide diverse oligosaccharide structures and unlock exciting opportunities for customers in various markets, including Thailand.
The company’s recent introduction of the “Step Up Nutrition” platform further emphasizes its commitment to offering high-quality proteins and prebiotics for infant milk formula and broader childhood applications.
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