Brazilian authorities have approved Arla Foods Ingredients’ milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) products for use in food and drinks.
The company’s Lacprodan MFGM-10 products contain whey protein as well as complex milk lipids and other nutrients, Arla Foods Ingredients said on 5 December.
Occurring naturally in breast milk, MFGM is best known as an infant formula ingredient, but also offers benefits for adults and older children, according to the company.
Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply (MAPA) approved Lacprodan MFGM-10 for use in food and beverage products in which whey protein concentrate was allowed.
Following the decision, manufacturers could include the product in ingredients lists as “whey protein concentrate enriched with milk fat globule membrane”, the company said.
Although the approval did not cover MFGM inclusion in supplements, infant formula or follow-on formula (which are overseen by Brazil’s health regulatory agency, ANVISA), Arla Foods Ingredients said it was hopeful approval for those applications would follow.
“This is a major milestone in our long-term ambition to bring … our MFGM ingredients to the increasingly important Brazilian market,” said Camila Oshima, regulatory specialist at Arla Foods Ingredients.
The product’s approval by Brazilian authorities followed confirmation in April that MFGM was not classified as a novel food in the European Union (EU), allowing it to be declared on products for infants and adults.
In July, MFGM was approved for use in infant formula products in Australia.
Headquartered in Denmark, Arla Foods Ingredients is a 100% owned subsidiary of Arla Foods and its products feature in a range of leading global brands in the early life nutrition, medical nutrition, sports nutrition, health food and other foods, and drinks sectors.
Arla Food’s portfolio includes well-known brands such as Lurpak and Anchor butter.
