DENMARK – Arla Foods Ingredients, a global leader in improving premium nutrition, has unveiled a new beverage concept aimed at increasing yield by reusing whey and reducing waste.
The beverage, made from upcycled acid or sweet whey, boasts a high protein content of up to 8 percent. It also contains Nutrilac whey proteins, which provide “a light texture and refreshing taste,” said the company.
According to Arla, Nutrilac whey proteins provide “superior heat stability” to standard milk or whey protein concentrates, enabling the development of creamy low-viscosity beverages “without sedimentation, sandiness or dry mouthfeel”.
Ignacio Estevez, application manager, South America at Arla Foods Ingredients, said: “Getting value out of whey is a significant challenge in dairy production but, as this concept demonstrates, it can be used to create on-trend new products that appeal to both sustainability-conscious and protein-focused consumers.
The fact that it can be produced easily and with minimal investment provides an additional incentive to innovate.”
With low-fat content and no added sugar, the beverage can be produced on standard yogurt lines with minimal investment, offering a cost-effective solution for dairy producers.
The launch comes at a time when sustainability is increasingly in focus in Latin America . More than 50 percent of consumers in the region say they have changed their behavior due to environmental concerns, a number that is expected to reach 70 percent by 2025. More than 4 in 10 (44%) say they have already stopped buying products because of their impact on the environment.
“Consumers hate the idea of waste, especially if it’s environmentally harmful. Reflecting this, we’re starting to see more and more products that make use of upcycled ingredients and communicate it on their packaging,” Ignacio concluded.
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