Fermented powders and infant nutrition for Asian market

EPI INGREDIENTS, the dry ingredients division of dairy cooperative Laïta is offering fermented powders and specialty infant nutrition solutions to the Asian market.

“Epi Ingredients’ mission is to enhance the value of the raw milk gathered from our farms; and both these ranges are instrumental to the success of this value-creation strategy,” said Mathieu Lucot, Marketing manager.

Fermented powders

The EPILAC ingredients are premium fermented powders – yoghurt powder, quark powder and fermented milk powder – with differentiating features such as, among others, the presence of live cultures in some of them. The range includes Lowfat Yogurt Powder 48 that offers the possibility of calling the end-product ‘yoghurt’, in compliance with French regulations, according to the dairy ingredients expert.

The all-natural powders have a strong yet pleasant dairy flavor meant to improve the taste and texture of such products as ice cream, frozen yoghurt as well as fillings and icings for bakery products, a segment in which the ‘yoghurt-like’ taste is very trendy.  

EPILAC fermented powders could also impart health benefits as they contain the same live bacteria (Streptococcus thermophilus et Lactobacillus bulgaricus) as the ones found in yoghurt. These are known to help balance the gut flora as well as strengthen the immune system, which makes EPILAC powders an interesting option to formulate nutritional products.

Infant nutrition

The Epi Ingredients portfolio also includes infant nutrition solutions, from bulk ingredients to finished products packaged for retail and ready-to-market under the customer’s own brand. Beyond demineralized powders perfectly adapted to be incorporated into infant formulas, the company will present their new Stage 1 to Stage 3 baby formulas (standard and premium).

“Consumers in emerging markets such as China, India, etc. are willing to pay more for quality products and, ingredients imported from Europe are perceived to be of higher quality than local offerings. This unlocks tremendous potential for Epi Ingredients whose products are exclusively French-made”, said Mr Lucot.

The company’s products will be on show at the Food Ingredients China (stand n 51U06) taking place from 23-25 Match 2016 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai.