Arla Foods releases new whey protein hydrolysate for functional sparkling water

Image courtesy of Arla Foods Ingredients

Arla Foods ingredients (Viby, Denmark) has released a 100% whey protein hydrolysate solution called Lacprodan HYDRO.Clear, which is specially formulated for fortifying sparkling water with protein. The ingredient is fat, sugar, and lactose free, with an optimized taste, and long shelf life.

"The concept is ideal for lifestyle and soft drink brands, as it allows them to offer a great source of protein in a convenient and refreshing on-the-go format that will appeal to all ages,” said Joe Katterfield, health and performance nutrition development manager for Arla, in a press release. "Market conditions are ideal for launching sparkling protein waters targeted at sports nutrition users, a group of consumers who are always on the look-out for products that deliver high levels of whey protein in a convenient format. However, for technical reasons – primarily related to issues around taste and bitterness – there are currently no sparkling protein waters on the market made exclusively with whey. In this respect, Lacprodan HYDRO.Clear is a game-changer, enabling manufacturers to incorporate 100% whey protein hydrolysate into crystal clear carbonated beverages.”

Lacprodan meets consumer demand across categories. According to Euromonitor, sales of sports protein drinks has increased an average of 9.5% per year between 2013 and 2017, with a projected growth of 8.4% per year between 2018 and 2022. At the same time, functional water is projected to grow by 6% each year between 2018 and 2022, and the carbonated segment has seen a 22% per year increase in new launched globally between 2007 and 2017, according to Innova Market Insights.

Updated July 11, 2018 8:30AM.