Danone Partners Ferments du Futur to advance microbial research in fermented foods

USA – Danone has teamed up with Ferments du Futur, a French public-private partnership, to explore microbial culture behaviors in fermented dairy and plant-based products. 

The initiative, Danone’s first collaboration with Ferments du Futur, unites expertise from Danone’s Research & Innovation Centers in Paris-Saclay, France, and Utrecht, Netherlands. 

The research project aims to optimize the function of microbial cultures, which are crucial for the quality, taste, and health benefits of fermented foods.

Danone, with over a century of fermentation expertise, has heavily invested in fermented products, which make up nearly 80% of its portfolio. 

As demand grows for nutritious, sustainable foods, this venture demonstrates Danone’s commitment to scientific innovation across its dairy and plant-based divisions​

Philippe Teissier, Director of R&I Fermentation at Danone Nutricia Research, expressed excitement about the initiative, stating, “Fermentation is at the heart of Danone, with still so much to learn and discover.” 

Teissier added that the collaboration aligns with Danone’s mission to deliver high-quality nutritional solutions for consumers and patients worldwide. 

“This partnership will drive research into how microbial cultures function in different conditions, allowing Danone to develop improved fermented products that support gut health and enhance nutritional quality​.”

Established in 2022, Ferments du Futur is co-funded by France’s ambitious France 2030 initiative, receiving US$52.5 million over ten years to accelerate research and development in fermentation and biopreservation. 

Based in Paris-Saclay, the organization’s innovation center leverages state-of-the-art technology and multidisciplinary expertise to promote sustainable food production.

In just two years, Ferments du Futur has garnered attention as a leader in fermentation science, partnering with 28 public and private organizations to fuel sustainable food innovation and consumer health benefits. 

This collaboration aims to respond to the growing demand for health-focused fermented foods, a market expected to grow significantly as consumers shift toward sustainable, plant-based diets​.

Danone’s new partnership with Ferments du Futur highlights the importance of cross-sector collaboration in advancing food science. 

By combining resources and expertise, Danone and Ferments du Futur seek to discover groundbreaking microbial applications that can enrich diets and support global health objectives. 

The outcome of this research is expected to resonate across the food industry, creating products that are not only nutritious but also environmentally friendly, thus aligning with Danone’s vision for a healthier and more sustainable world.

Subscribe to our food and agriculture industry email newsletters that provide busy executives like you with the latest news insights and trends from Africa and the World. SUBSCRIBE HERE