In this special Expo West edition of New Product Explorations, we look at a variety of products packed with gut-boosting probiotics and discover some of the ways that companies are using their products to help those in need.
Probiotics Proliferate at Expo West
Probiotics have been the buzz word du jour for some time now. With more Americans concerned about the state of their gut and an increased awareness that gut health may affect their overall health, consumers have been eager to include probiotic-containing products in their diet. According to research from probiotics supplier Ganeden, 59% of healthy Millennials would pay more for food or beverage products containing probiotics, and 86% of respondents with kids are more likely to purchase a product for their children if it has probiotics.
“The market for probiotic-added foods is increasing in popularity and size due to both strain stability and convenience. Food and beverage manufacturers now have access to a stable probiotic strain like GanedenBC30, which survives manufacturing processes that limit the viability of traditional probiotic strains,” explains Mike Bush, Ganeden president and executive board president of the International Probiotics Assoc. “As consumers are eagerly searching for non-supplement options, shelf-stable probiotic food options open up the category and provide much-needed product options to consumers around the world.”
At a food show like Natural Products Expo West, where the focus centers on natural nutrition, it’s probably not shocking that many of the foods on display might contain these gut-boosting bacteria. What was surprising, though, was the range and variety of products that now include a probiotic claim, whether from naturally occurring probiotics achieved through fermentation or those with probiotics added into the formulation. According to Ganeden public relations manager Teresa DeJohn, more than 50 companies at the show incorporated Ganeden’s GanedenBC30 into their products, and others sourced theirs from companies such as Sabinsa. The slideshow above showcases some interesting products boasting probiotics and, in some cases, offers insight into how the probiotic claims are achieved.