Lesaffre launches immune support bacteria in North American market
One clinical study promoting the new probiotic’s benefits in supporting the elderly’s immune system has been published. In this study, researchers from the University of Bordeaux, Biofortis-Mérieux NutriSciences, Paris 7 University, and Lesaffre Human Care found that, compared with a placebo, daily consumption of the probiotic supplement was associated with a 45% decrease in upper respiratory tract infections.
“We have decided to perform the study on elderly people because it’s ideal to see the increase of immunoglobulin,” Sandrine Cuisenier, marketing manager at Lesaffre Human Care told NutraIngredients-USA at the SupplySide West 2016 show in Las Vegas. “So it could be [applied] to everyone, to children for example.”
Positioning the ingredient for functional food and beverage
Cuisenier also added that the ingredient can be marketed to healthy adults to improve their immunity to “modern day stressors” such as air conditioners or weather change.
Paired with shelf stability and the ability for diverse applications (from capsules to beverages), Lesaffre is positioning the probiotic as a functional ingredient for food and beverage. “You can heat it, you can boil it, you can compress it—it’s very stable,” Cuisenier added. The company is aiming to market the CU1 to North American consumers in lifestyle products for users of all ages.
The company is focusing on spreading the word about probiotics through ways other than supplements. “Drinking it in tea is more tasty than a tablet,” Cuisenier said. Along with CU1, the company is also launching the Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, which is not proprietary to Lesaffre, which Cuisenier said is marketed for its gut flora benefits.
