Three new protein ingredients showcase NZMP’s focus on meeting North American consumer preferences in the lifestyle and snacking market
NZMP, the global ingredients brand of Fonterra, is introducing three new protein bar ingredients into its Sports and Active Lifestyle category into the US market.
The brand has a diverse range of protein bar ingredients; including functional proteins that enable manufacturers to deliver on key consumer trends such as protein quality over quantity, multi-textural experiences, and low sugar offerings.
The broad ingredient portfolio also targets specific consumer benefits, from muscle recovery and energy, to weight loss and healthy indulgence.
The new ingredients in NZMP’s SureProtein™ bar ingredients portfolio include:
SureProtein™ Optibar 892 Whey Protein Isolate
SureProtein™ ShortBar 825 Lactalbumin
SureProtein™ SoftBar 1000 Milk Protein
As protein continues to go mainstream, consumers value taste and texture more than ever, with 74% of bar eaters saying taste impacts bar choice.**
NZMP Director Sports and Active Lifestyles, Komal Mistry-Mehta says: “In our latest protein ingredient development, Fonterra’s New Zealand based Research and Development Centre formulated more than 1300 bars and conducted more than 600 tests to evaluate the textural characteristics of each bar ingredient solution.
“As a result, the extended range of SureProtein™ ingredients enables a wide variety of bar solutions ranging from dough or nougat bars, through to granola and crisp bars, which ultimately enables our customers to differentiate their offerings and deliver to strong consumer preference.”
In addition to the new innovative protein ingredients, NZMP has two unique probiotic super strains - Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies lactis HN019 (BifidoB HN019) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 (LactoB HN001). Both strains have years of clinical evidence backing a broad range of benefits and help manufacturers to target a range of consumer health and lifestyle needs. This includes digestive health, immunity and emerging research suggest possibly even mental wellbeing via the gut-brain axis.
Komal Mistry-Mehta says: “Not only are we developing our range to meet the nutritional needs of consumers, but our probiotic strains are now also non-GMO project verified* to appeal to the 46% of consumers who actively avoid GMOs.”***
NZMP’s HN019 and HN001 probiotics have been developed to meet three criteria; safe, effective and stable and are FDA-approved with Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS) status.
As the sports and active lifestyle market grows, NZMP has shifted its focus from the niche sports nutrition market to reach a broader base of active and lifestyle focused customers and consumers.
NZMP Vice President North America, Jim Lees, says: “Consumer needs are ever-changing, and as a brand we swiftly adapt to stay ahead. Our primary focus is on delivering high-value nutritional ingredient solutions to people at all ages and stages of life. Enhancing our ingredient portfolio helps NZMP’s customers appeal to a broader range of consumers.
“North America is a huge market for sports nutrition, with active consumers always on the look-out for new and innovative products. Our new protein ingredient innovations and clinically backed probiotic strains, are part of NZMP’s focus on supporting trade customers to meet the needs of American consumers participating in everyday activity as part of a daily, healthy lifestyle.”
*New Zealand dairy with grass-fed, pasture raised, non-GMO or organic claims are seeing strong pull from the US. Customers who use these claims are often able to command premiums for their products due to differentiated product positioning and appeal to conscious consumers.
**Snack, Nutrition & Performance Bars – Mintel US, April 2018
***FMCG Gurus, 2018
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