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Manufacturers of infant milk formula in China will soon be able to access a unique range of prebiotic ingredients, following the approval of FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ production strain of 2’-Fucosyllactose (2’-FL). The green light from China’s MARA (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs) paves the way for Aequival® 2’-FL, a human milk oligosaccharide ingredient[i], to be launched in the world’s largest early life nutrition (ELN) market.
“Final nutrition fortifier” approval of Aequival® 2’-FL will mean FrieslandCampina Ingredients will soon become the only provider of both human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) in China. This united proposition is highly appealing to brand owners in the ELN sector thanks to the complementary benefits the two types of oligosaccharide may offer when combined.
“This is great news both for us and for our Chinese customers – current and future,” stated Cindy Zhao, general manager, FrieslandCampina Ingredients China, on the announcement. “The Chinese market has very specific circumstances that a combined GOS & HMO offering is the ideal response to. Here, health benefits are a significant priority for people selecting an infant milk formula: approximately 90% of parents say they are looking for them. For instance, gut health is a priority for 80% of parents of young children, and emerging scientific research is shedding a light on the gut health benefits that prebiotics like GOS and HMOs may have.”
Scientists from FrieslandCampina Ingredients have particularly explored the possible benefits of combining GOS and 2’-FL, inspired by the variety and diversity of structures that exist in human milk. For instance, in vitro research has shown that these two types of oligosaccharide stimulate the beneficial bacteria Bifidobacterium longum in a species-specific manner.[ii]This suggests here is a clear opportunity for Chinese infant milk formula brands to respond directly to parental concerns about gut health. Nearly 30% of Chinese parents already recognise that prebiotics[iii] are beneficial in this area.
2’-FL is an ingredient found in an increasing number of infant milk formula products in other parts of the world, and is trusted by brand owners to deliver health benefits in infancy thanks to a growing body of research showing its value to infant health.
What sets these ingredients apart from other prebiotics?
2’-FL is a human milk oligosaccharide (HMO), and the one that is most abundant in human milk. Like galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), HMOs are complex non-digestible carbohydrates that have a prebiotic effect, so benefitting the development of the infant gut microbiota and its metabolism. This is through their bifidogenic effect. The bifidogenic effect (ie the stimulation of Bifidobacteria) of 2’-FL is different to that of GOS at (sub-)species level. In addition, 2’-FL can also reduce the risk of infection by serving as a decoy receptor, it can inhibit binding and infectivity of pathogens.
Both 2’-FL and GOS are produced from lactose, whereas fructo-oligosaccharides (another type of prebiotic) are normally derived from chicory or beet sugar.
How are they incorporated in formulations, and will they impact taste?
Aequival® 2’-FL is used worldwide as an ingredient for standard and premium infant formulas, follow-on formulas and growing-up milk. The product also has a wide range of uses in other applications, like dietary supplements. It is a white homogeneous powder, with a neutral to slightly sweet taste and no off flavour. Aequival® 2’-FL is infant food grade dry-blend quality, so it can be blended into an infant milk formula recipe at various stages of production including after the spray drying step – but it is typically incorporated at the very beginning.
“From the point of final approval, Chinese customers will be able to purchase GOS and 2’-FL from one trusted and experienced supplier with a long heritage in the Chinese infant nutrition market,” Zhao continued. “In doing so, they can increase the diversity of oligosaccharide structures in their formulations and thereby unlock exciting new opportunities to differentiate their products, add more value for consumers and attract more parents to their brands.”
Available across Southeast Asia
Aequival® 2’-FL is already available in various south east Asian countries, including Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines for infant formula application as well as Thailand and Indonesia for UHT milk applications (stage 3+). We anticipate approval from the Thai regulator for use in infant milk formula imminently too.
[i] Not from human milk
[ii] Lindner C, Looijesteijn E, Dijck H van, et al. Infant Fecal Fermentations with Galacto-Oligosaccharides and 2′-Fucosyllactose Show Differential Bifidobacterium longum Stimulation at Subspecies Level. Children. 2023;10(3):430. doi:10.3390/children100304
[iii] Gibson GR, et al. (2017) The scientific definition of a prebiotic is “A substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit”. Expert consensus document: The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of prebiotics. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017 Aug;14(8):491-502.