Arla Foods Ingredients recently received a positive opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on its novel food application for its ingredient Lacprodan BLG-100, an isolated whey protein called beta-lactoglobulin (BLG).
 
EFSA’s opinion is that BLG is safe and suitable for use in food products in the EU, and it submitted its findings to the European Commission, which is expected to grant final authorization later in the year, according to the company.
 
When this process is complete, Lacprodan BLG-100 will become Arla Foods Ingredients’ first product approved under the new Novel Food Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. It will be able to be used in categories including sports nutrition, health foods, and foods for special medical purposes.
 
In October 2021, Arla Foods Ingredients became the first supplier with the capacity for commercial production of pure BLG. According to a study conducted in 2018, Lacprodan BLG-100 contains 45% more leucine than commercially-available whey protein isolates. Coupled with the fact that isolates are considered more palatable, the ingredient can easily be formulated for medical nutrition applications, where it can help minimize the loss of muscle mass and mobility, Arla Foods Ingredients said.
 
Further, compared to a standard commercially-available whey protein, Lacprodan BLG-100 contains 26% more essential amino acids and 40% more branched-chain amino acids. This offers an advantage for sports nutrition applications, especially clear, ready-to-drink beverages and powder shakes, Arla Foods Ingredients reported.
 
“BLG is unique,” Niels Østergaard, Vice President, Innovation at Arla Foods Ingredients, said. “In fact, it’s basically a whole new protein category. Its combination of purity, amazing nutritional quality, and appealing taste, will create a world of new opportunities in medical and sports nutrition. We’re delighted by this decision, and proud to have led the way in the development of a game-changing new ingredient.