FrieslandCampina Ingredients has received regulatory approval for its 2’-Fucosyllactose (2’-FL) ingredient, Aequival, in Thailand, where it can now be used in infant milk formulas and follow-up formulas. It was initially approved for ‘flavored milk drinks’ designated for use in children three years and older.
 
With this development, the company’s human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) ingredient is now fully accessible to the whole early life nutrition category in the country. FrieslandCampina Ingredients is also the only provider of HMOs and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) in Thailand, which, when used together, may have complementary health benefits.
 
Interest in and use of 2’-FL in infant milk formula is on the rise in Thailand, the company noted, and 15% of new infant milk formula product launches in the country included 2’-FL.
 
“Thailand’s early life nutrition market is thriving, particularly for children, a commonly overlooked area, but we anticipate a 20% volume growth in this specific segment by 2030 in this country,” said Sophie Nicolas, global marketing lead of early life nutrition, FrieslandCampina Ingredients. “We previously secured approval for 2’-FL to be used in flavored milk drinks and developed concept applications such as ready-to-drink beverages for kids aged three upwards. There has been great feedback from our customers and consumers. This latest approval is not only exciting due to the advantages our HMOs can deliver in infant milk formula, but also because Aequival 2’-FL can now be used across the full early life nutrition category, from newborns to kids.”
 
HMOs are the third-largest component of human milk, and 2’-FL is the most abundant HMO. Emerging evidence suggests that 2’-FL may benefit infants’ brain development, cognition, and learning, the company reports.  The company noted that the Thai FDA’s approval of Aequival comes at a time of widespread consumer recognition of the importance of gut health and increased demand for these ingredients.
 
“Science shows that 2’-FL can play a vital role in supporting health in infancy and childhood, thanks in part to its bifidogenic effects. But this is just one example of the benefits offered by 2’-FL and oligosaccharides more widely,” Nicolas said. “We believe including other prebiotic ingredients alongside 2’-FL, such as our Vivinal GOS, could offer even more benefits by providing more diverse oligosaccharides structures in recipes. This, in turn, unlocks exciting opportunities for our customers in Thailand and the many other markets where Aequival 2’-FL and Vivinal GOS are available.”