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Arla Foods Ingredients has launched a ready-to-stir beta-lactoglobulin whey protein designed to address one of the medical nutrition sector’s most persistent challenges: poor patient compliance driven by taste, texture and lack of product variety.
The new ingredient, Lacprodan BLG-100 Acidic, is aimed at manufacturers of foods for special medical purposes (FSMPs) supplying hospitals, care homes and healthcare systems, where up to half of patients are estimated to suffer from disease-related malnutrition.
Unlike conventional medical nutrition powders and ready-to-drink products, which are typically milky, neutral-pH and consumed as complete beverages, the new whey protein has been developed for flexible, acidic and neutral applications that can be stirred into drinks or foods without specialist equipment.
Arla said the ingredient delivers 10g of protein per 100ml serving and dissolves in around 30 seconds in hot or cold liquids, without gelling or clumping. Its low viscosity and reduced astringency allow it to be used in juice-style drinks as well as milky formats – a segment that remains largely restricted to ready-to-drink products.
Medical nutrition manufacturers have increasingly been under pressure from healthcare providers to improve patient adherence, as low intake is linked to longer hospital stays, poorer recovery outcomes and higher treatment costs.
Industry research has shown that around half of patients do not fully comply with prescribed oral nutrition plans, with taste and mouthfeel cited as major barriers.
The launch reflects a broader shift within the medical nutrition industry towards modular, customisable formats that allow healthcare professionals and carers to adjust protein intake and volume according to patient needs, rather than relying solely on standardised, single-serve products.
Arla said the ingredient can be used in both nutritionally complete and incomplete products, including powders that can be mixed into water, milk, porridge or soup, allowing protein intake to be spread throughout the day for patients with reduced appetites.
From a formulation perspective, the company highlighted the ingredient’s high purity and amino acid profile, including leucine content, which is associated with muscle protein synthesis – a key consideration for elderly and clinical nutrition markets where muscle loss is a concern.
To demonstrate commercial applications, Arla has developed two ready-to-stir concept products: a juice-style medical drink, which it said has few direct comparators on the market, and a complete milky beverage positioned as a lighter alternative to traditional oral nutrition supplements.
Mads Dyrvig, head of sales development for specialised nutrition at Arla Foods Ingredients, said demand was growing for products that move beyond “conventional milky taste and heavy texture” and offer patients greater choice and convenience.
