MilkyMist, SIG and AnaBio Technologies incorporate probiotics in aseptic cartons

MilkyMist, in collaboration with SIG and AnaBio Technologies, has launched the world’s first long-life probiotic buttermilk in aseptic carton packs.

MilkyMist, a renowned dairy innovator from South India, has teamed up with SIG and AnaBio Technologies to introduce the world’s first long-life probiotic buttermilk in aseptic carton packs.

The ground-breaking development, showcased at Gulfood Manufacturing 2024 in Dubai, represents a major breakthrough in the beverage industry, allowing probiotics to be incorporated into shelf-stable drinks in aseptic cartons for the first time.

The combination of AnaBio Technologies’ patented encapsulation technology and SIG’s gentle aseptic filling technology has overcome the challenge of heat treatments used in ultra-high-temperature (UHT) processing compromising probiotic viability. The move enables MilkyMist to offer probiotic buttermilk that remains shelf-stable and does not require refrigeration.

“We are thrilled to offer our probiotic buttermilk, a ground-breaking product that combines health and convenience, reduces energy consumption and food waste thus helping us bringing the goodness of probiotics to the people. This game-changing product not only offers consumers a healthy and nutritious option but also ensures long shelf-life without the need for refrigeration. We look forward to seeing this product make a positive difference in the lives of consumers,” said Dr. K Rathnam, chief executive officer of MilkyMist.

Christoph Wegener, chief markets officer of SIG: “We are proud to display an ingenious example of a new product category expansion: long-life probiotic buttermilk in an aseptic carton pack. It has health benefits and overcomes the limitations of fresh probiotic drinks. With a longer shelf life and no need for refrigeration, we significantly increase the reach and can bring the goodness of probiotics to the people. The way is paved for many more amazing long-life probiotic products in our aseptic packaging solutions.”

Dr Aidan Fitzsimons, CEO of AnaBio Technologies added: “This is a real step forward in innovation in the field of probiotic beverage products and represents a significant contribution to consumer health.”

AnaBio’s patented encapsulation technology protects the probiotics with a protein coat, ensuring they withstand high temperatures during buttermilk processing, and remain stable throughout the shelf life of the product. Once consumed, enzymes naturally present in the intestine break down the protein coat, releasing the probiotics to colonise the intestine and deliver their gut and immune health benefits. The encapsulation technology along with SIG’s aseptic filling technology, which ensures a homogeneous suspension of probiotic cells per pack and thus the safe filling of probiotics into SIG’s aseptic cartons, will enable MilkyMist to offer a breakthrough innovation in shelf-stable probiotic beverages.

MilkyMist’s beverage innovation, delivered in SIG XSlimBloc 200ml aseptic carton packs, will ensure that probiotic cultures remain effective without requiring refrigeration or sacrificing taste and quality.

Vandana Tandan, head of market India & Bangladesh at SIG noted how the launch will further develop the probiotic dairy market, providing a long-lasting, gut-healthy product that meets the evolving needs of health-conscious consumers.

“We are thrilled to see MilkyMist launching the very first probiotic buttermilk drink in our SIG XSlimBloc carton pack. A true step-change innovation in the Indian dairy market,” Tandan concluded.

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