Chr Hansen targets dairy players with vitamin K-boosting probiotic

15-Apr-2013 - Last updated on 16-Apr-2013 at 14:43 GMT

Related tags Nutrition

Probiotic leader Chr Hansen is targeting dairy players with an L. Lactis probiotic strain it says produces vitamin K at significant enough levels to utilise approved health claims.

Vitamin K helps the body to absorb calcium into bones and has won a health claim from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) that states: "Vitamin K contributes to the maintenance of normal bones".

Sarita Bairoliya, global marketing manager, told us the company had spent many years developing ‘nu-trish Pro-K’ as it is called, after testing 100s of strains.

The proprietary blend comprises fermenting and probiotic strains, with the kicker being a strain of L. Lactis sub-species cremoris, which ensures a 100ml serving can contain 10 micrograms of Vitamin K2. That level qualifies products to use the EU-approved claims.

The blend is being proposed in two formats – a spoonable yoghurt and a drink in a suggested 150ml mini-bottle. Europe and the Asia-Pacific are initial points of interest.

“Vitamin K is available in foods like natto and butter and cheese but it is not always convenient or healthy to get enough that way, so this is a natural alternative,” Bairoliya told us.

“Bone health is interesting in most parts of the world.”

The blend is comparable in price with regular strains on-market presently.

Bairoliya said one of the reasons the product development phase had taken so long was due to a focus on texture and flavour which had received very positive feedback in final consumer testing.

1 comment

Clear as mud?

Posted by Peter, 17 April 2013 - 20:22 GMT

Although Vitamin K is gaining popularity, for functions of improved bone health, certain levels of Vitamin K would need to be consumed. For K1 this level is understood to be several hundred mg. For K2 MK-7 (due to its half life) this is at least 45mcg, preferably 75mcg per day. For an Lc lactis strain, which produces K2 MK 8 and 9, one would like to see bio-equivalence studies to understand their effect, but it is understood today that MK-7 has the optimal chain length ensuring longest possible half life. Approved claim or not, in the end, each company would want to ensure that they have a claim and function. I consider this part of a good due diligence. Unless you are willing to eat many serves of yoghurt per day containing this culture, it may not have any health benefits associated with Vitamin K. Good marketing needs to be backed by solid science...