[20 September 2023] – FrieslandCampina Ingredients, a global leader in proteins and prebiotics,  announces the launch of “Step Up Nutrition” – a cross-category portfolio of solutions for children aged 3 and up – at Vitafoods Asia in Bangkok, 20-22 September 2023.

Step Up Nutrition provides a major growth opportunity for early life nutrition (ELN) brands. It will enhance child nutrition innovation plans by inspiring appealing applications with various health benefits delivered by a portfolio of highly nutritious ingredients. Designed to support five key areas of a child’s development, the platform supports growth & development, immunity, cognitive development, mental health, and gut health, addressing top parental priorities worldwide.

Following its premiere in Bangkok, Step Up Nutrition will be introduced globally over the following months, starting in Frankfurt at Fi Europe.

A growing category, with huge potential

With the decline in the number of newborns worldwide and the contracting of the regular infant milk formula market, the ELN industry seeks new pockets of growth. At the same time, there is a growing focus on ensuring young children worldwide get the nutrition they need beyond their first years of life. By 2030, milk formula for children, the fortification of dairy drinks, and supplement formats like gummies, will all surge in popularity, making child nutrition a key category for growth.

Each of the five key development areas is articulated through a consumer-friendly proposition – micronutrient uptake (Big & Strong), a healthy immune system (Beat the

Bugs), cognitive development (Smarty Pants), gut microbiota composition (Happy Tummy), and supporting mental health (Cool & Calm). All of these are enabled by premium-quality ingredients for early-life nutrition that are already trusted by many of the world’s leading infant milk formula brands.

FrieslandCampina Ingredients invites visitors to take part in its intimate inspiration sessions at Vitafoods Asia, where it will showcase Step Up Nutrition’s offerings, as well as five application suggestions to help spark development ideas:

• Big & Strong powdered milk drink (with Vivinal® GOS)
• Beat the Bugs yoghurt drink (with Vivinal® MFGM)
• Smarty Pants milk drink (with Vana-Sana™ DHA Algae 20L)
• Happy Tummy milk drink (with Vivinal® GOS and Aequival® 2’-FL) and
• Cool & Calm kids gummies (with Vivinal® GOS)

The potential applications utilise key nutritional ingredients with proven health benefits. Vivinal® MFGM, for instance, is a whey protein concentrate containing bioactive proteins and lipids, which supports immune development and function. Vivinal® GOS and Aequival® 2’-FL, are non-digestible oligosaccharides that can stimulate growth of Bifidobacteria in the gut. When combined, GOS and 2’-FL may result in complementary benefits as, together, they increase the volume and diversity of oligosaccharide structures in the gut. In their own right, GOS is beneficial to micro-nutrient absorption and may support mental health via the gut-brain axis. Finally, Vana-Sana™ DHA Algae 20L is a micro-encapsulated LCPUFA-containing oil. DHA is a key component of the brain that supports cognitive function, making it an important ingredient for child development.

Grounded in insights, tailored to customer’s needs

Speaking on the launch, Floor van der Horst, global marketing director for early life nutrition, FrieslandCampina Ingredients, says: “Our ambitious Vision 2030 research gave clear direction to our R&D and commercial teams to help brand owners prepare their portfolios for the future. The infant milk formula market is under pressure, but huge opportunities are available for brands to tap into the evolving child nutrition market. Step Up Nutrition is a direct result of that research. We hope that the concepts and health-supporting ingredients we’re showcasing at Vitafoods Asia will inspire product

innovation from brands that are keen to differentiate their products, as they will add value for consumers. We’re excited to be in Bangkok where we can connect with visitors and hopefully have the opportunity to work together to create unique and truly innovative products.”

Visit FrieslandCampina Ingredients at Vitafoods Asia, where its experts will be on hand to discuss potential new collaborations and the exciting possibilities they present.