FrieslandCampina Ingredients receives 16 key health claim approvals from FSANZ

FrieslandCampina Ingredients, a global leader in protein and prebiotics, has announced it has received 16 key health claim approvals from the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). The recent wave of approvals includes 12 approved health claims for its first-of-its-kind Biotis^® Fermentis ingredient for the active and sports nutrition market. Biotis^® GOS and Vivinal^® GOS have also been approved for claims relating to supporting iron and calcium absorption in both adults and children over one year old. These approvals further strengthen FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ position as an industry leader, reinforcing its commitment to science-backed nutritional solutions in Australia and New Zealand.

Helping Australia and New Zealand unlock performance from within

Emerging research demonstrates how the gut microbiome can influence our overall well-being, including through the gut-muscle axis – a complex link between gut microbiota, muscle function, body composition and athletic performance.¹  For instance, exercise, stress and dietary habits can trigger gut discomfort, negatively impacting sports performance – 86% of athletes experience gastrointestinal issues associated with training and competition stressors.²

(Source: FrieslandCampina Ingredients) 

Biotis^® Fermentis is an innovative solution which combines the benefits of whey protein, prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides (Biotis^® GOS) and probiotic cultures by fermenting them together, creating a formulation that supports both athletic performance and holistic health. These latest FSANZ approvals mean that products formulated with Biotis^® Fermentis can be advertised as supporting gut health and the gut-muscle axis, as well as improving muscle recovery and supporting athletic performance, among other health claims.³ This allows brands to create unique product positionings and improve speed to market in the increasingly competitive active and sports nutrition sectors.

“Sport plays a vital role in the cultural identity of Australia and New Zealand, with over one-third of Australian consumers regularly participating in fitness or gym activities,⁴” says Vicky Davies, Global Marketing Director, Performance, Active, and Medical Nutrition. “These FSANZ-approved health claims are an important milestone, enabling sports and active nutrition brands to stand out by highlighting the gut health and performance benefits of Biotis^® Fermentis – ultimately helping active consumers and athletes alike feel at their best.”

Tapping into mineral absorption claims

Consumers worldwide are increasingly seeking clear and credible health claims on food packaging, such as those related to nutrient absorption. Figures show that 50% of global consumers rely on on-pack claims to evaluate the nutritional and wellness benefits of food and beverage products.⁵ In the early life nutrition (ELN) market, parents are prioritising scientifically-backed solutions to ensure their children receive important nutrients during crucial growth stages. Adequate mineral intake, such as iron and calcium, is important in early life to support bone development and cognitive function, and remains necessary into adulthood.

With iron deficiency affecting 1 in 8 Australians,⁶ there’s a clear need for science-backed ingredients that are proven to improve mineral absorption. Studies have found that GOS can contribute to mineral absorption by reducing the pH in the intestine, increasing acidity, which makes minerals more soluble.^7,8 FSANZ has recognised Biotis^® GOS and Vivinal^® GOS for their ability to support iron and calcium absorption from food – empowering early life, performance and active nutrition brands to meet this growing consumer demand with confidence.

 “We’re committed to developing science-backed solutions that help consumers of all ages get the most out of life, always,” adds Tjalling Bekker, Regional Director APAC, FrieslandCampina Ingredients. “The FSANZ approval of our Biotis^® GOS and Vivinal^® GOS mineral absorption claims reinforces this commitment and now means that brands can tap into parents’ and health-conscious consumers’ growing demands for clear and credible health claims.”

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¹ Przewłócka, K. et al. Gut-Muscle Axis Exists and May Affect Skeletal Muscle Adaptation to Training. Nutrients.12(5):1451, doi:10.3390/nu12051451 (2020).

² Pugh JN, et al. Gastrointestinal symptoms in elite athletes: time to recognise the problem? Br J Sports Med. 2018 Apr;52(8):487-488. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2017-098376. Epub 2017 Oct 10. PMID: 29018062.

³ Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Notified food-health relationships to make a health claim, 2024

⁴ Statista, Sports industry in Australia, 2024

⁵ Innova Lifestyle & Attitudes Survey, 2022