For brands in the health and nutrition sector, innovation and high-quality new product development is essential to securing market share in a fast-paced and highly competitive market.
However, with expanding possibilities for creativity and the breadth of ingredients now available to food scientists and developers, it can be more difficult to identify a starting point for range expansion– particularly when it comes to ingredient innovation.
It’s clear that the consumer is expecting more from the health and nutrition products they select, which means formulators must become increasingly selective with the ingredients chosen to boost product value and commercial appeal.
In a nutritional ingredient market that appears to be more complex than ever before, what questions should brand owners and formulators be asking to pinpoint the ideal solution for new product development?
- Does the ingredient address the growing consumer interest in gut health?
Around the globe, consumers are becoming much more engaged with physical health. The key role of the gut, and the trillions of bacteria that comprise the gut microbiome, are climbing in public awareness.
As the gut health category continues to build strong traction, ingredients that focus on supporting a more beneficial balance of bacteria in the gut offer a powerful commercial advantage for brand owners and formulators.
2. Can the ingredient fulfil several health and wellbeing demands?
In line with how consumers are making purchase decisions, ingredients need to ‘do more’. Overall, products are becoming less ‘specialist’, offering a wider range of benefits and commercial opportunities.
Prebiotic fibre is one way that health and nutrition brands are able to offer consumers more. Its core action lies in nourishing ‘good’ gut bacteria, which are connected to digestive health, as well as immune system modulation, mental health and wellbeing. By introducing a proven prebiotic ingredient such as Bimuno®, formulators can harness these diverse advantages within the product value proposition.
3. Does the ingredient offer versatility?
To offer true value to product developers, the ingredient must be versatile. Whether exploring range expansion or new delivery formats, an ingredient that cannot be transferred across different manufacturing processes increases supply chain complexity, as well as storage and handling challenges.
Bimuno is an example of an ingredient designed for flexibility and creativity. Unlike probiotics, which must account for survivability in manufacturing, Bimuno, as a prebiotic fibre, does not. This means that it can be introduced at any stage of the manufacturing process and is not damaged or compromised by heat or acidity. Bimuno is also extremely stable when compared to other prebiotic ingredients, which can have differing degrees of stability.
Because of its high stability, Bimuno can be added to a wide range of products, including dietary supplements and nutraceuticals, beverages, yoghurts, cereals, smoothies and ice creams, as well as confectionery and sports drinks.
4. Is the ingredient GRAS accredited?
Safety accreditation is paramount in health and nutrition. As well as protecting brand reputation, consumers are looking for products they can trust. Today, detailed product information is available on the internet at the consumer’s fingertips, which further underpins how valuable ingredient accreditation can be.
GRAS (‘Generally Regarded As Safe’) is a designation from the United States Food & Drug Administration. Ingredients that are GRAS certified are considered safe to add to food or drinks, helping to build the essential consumer trust that brands rely on. Bimuno is GRAS approved for food, beverage and infant formula applications.
5. Does the ingredient have a low clinically effective dose?
For product developers, the effective dose level must be closely considered. Not all ingredients are created equal, and some may require a much higher proportion in the product in order to achieve the results claimed under test conditions.
One ingredient may be less expensive to purchase in the first instance, but if a much higher amount is required in the end product, its cost-effectiveness drops significantly. The reverse is also true – premium ingredients may be at a higher initial cost, but a lower clinically-effective dose means that less is required for use in the end product, evening the cost outlay.
Bimuno prebiotic GOS has a very low clinically effective dose; just 1.37g/day for gastrointestinal symptom relief, and 2.75g/day for the prebiotic effect shown to influence immune system modulation, antipathogenic activity, cognition and brain health support.
6. Is the ingredient supported by scientific evidence?
For any brand aiming to remain competitive in health and nutrition categories, science must always come first. Consumers are becoming savvier and as they engage more closely with maintaining their health, they are becoming more comfortable with scientific terms and evidence.
Building trust through scientifically backed evidence is a way to connect with this proactive audience, while also providing a solid foundation of proof for functional food and supplement products.
Making this simple for formulators, Bimuno is the most studied prebiotic ingredient of its kind. The ingredient, which began as an academic research project, is supported by more than 90 scientific publications, including more than 20 clinical trials. Its efficacy in microbiome modulation and resulting influence on physical and mental health are well-documented.
Looking to accelerate new product development and introduce a leading prebiotic ingredient to your next project? Speak to our team today to discover the diverse and powerful advantages of Bimuno GOS.
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