Arla Foods Ingredients has launched the first ever organic micellar casein isolate, providing a new option for manufacturers developing organic, natural, and functional protein products.
 
Micellar casein isolate is a new ingredient which is rich in native milk proteins, and is extracted from milk using gentle processing without the addition of acids. This process allows the protein to maintain its chemical structure, allowing the creation of products that are as close to nature as possible.
 
MicelPure, the micellar casein isolate, contains a minimum of 87% native protein. It is suitable for conventional foods, functional health foods, and active nutrition applications. Additionally, it’s low in lactose and fat, heat-stable, and taste-neutral. The protein is made from organic milk sourced from Denmark, making it the company’s first ingredient to be offered in an organic version.
 
Arla Foods reports that European consumers have been shown by research to consider organic products healthier, tastier, and more nutritious, with one in three saying they would buy more organic, high-protein snacks if they were available.
 
“When consumers hear ‘organic,’ they think healthy, sustainable, and wholesome,” Barbara Jensen, business development manager at Arla Foods, said. “However, a shortage of natural, organic protein ingredients ahs prevented many manufacturers from entering this market. MicelPure Organic fills the gap, allowing companies to extend their portfolios with products that are both organic and packed with high-quality protein.”
 
Consumers list “healthy” and “natural” as the two most important characteristics of food products, Arla Foods said, citing Lindberg International’s ‘Consumer Study on perception of organic food products and organic purchasing habits.’
 
“Protein’s benefits for muscle growth, recovery, and weight management have driven consumer demand in a range of categories,” Joe Katterfield, business development manager for Arla Foods Ingredients, said. “But while the high-protein trend is definitely here to stay, manufacturers also have to meet many other needs. MicelPure combines high protein levels and functionality with an offer of healthy wholesomeness that increases appeal.”