Milwaukee, WI - Probiotics are already a very successful ingredient in modern, functional foods. The market, however, seems set to expand even further as market leader Chr. Hansen now takes the beneficial bacteria beyond yogurt. Fresh, chilled beverages such as orange juice are very likely candidates for frontrunner in the next probiotic market development.

“The door is now open to a whole new range of possibilities for food producers around the world,” says Hans Christian Bejder, Marketing Manager for Probiotics from Chr. Hansen. “I find it very realistic that we will see the first probiotic fruit juices and drinking milks on breakfast tables before the end of 2005.”

The key to the development of the second generation probiotic products is a special Direct Liquid Inoculation system. It allows food producers to add the probiotic bacteria directly to the finished food product.

First to present a solution

In a standard production run, heat treatment of the beverage would kill the live probiotic bacteria. With Chr. Hansen’s new Direct Liquid Inoculation solution, the healthy bacteria can be added to the milk or juice after heat treatment in a closed and sanitary system. This will make it possible for producers to make safe probiotic beverages in a flexible manner and using their existing equipment.

“Researchers and food companies all over the world have long been looking for a way to overcome this obstacle, but so far without much luck,” Bejder says. “So naturally, I am very pleased that we became the first to present a suggestion for a viable solution.”

The new technique to incorporate probiotics has been developed by Chr. Hansen and Tetra Pak in close cooperation. It utilizes Tetra Pak's aseptic dosing system Flex Dos. More work is being done to satisfy milk handling regulations in individual countries.

For more information about Chr. Hansen's probiotics, contact Hans Christian Bejder at +45 4574 7404, cell phone +45 2249 5151, or HansChristian.Bejder@dk.chr-hansen.com.

Operating from facilities in thirty countries worldwide, Chr. Hansen is a global biotechnology company that provides ingredients to the food, dairy, human health and nutrition, and animal health industries. Based on intensive research, Chr. Hansen works to improve the quality of food and health for people all over the world. The company is a primary supplier of cultures, probiotics, enzymes, colors, flavors, seasonings, sweeteners, and tablet coatings and excipients, which are applied in foods and beverages, pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, and agricultural products. For more information, visit www.chr-hansen.com.