Interview: NZMP exhibits its medical and infant nutrition solutions

At Health Ingredients Europe 2018, FoodBev’s Alex Clere spoke to NZMP’s Stephen Gregory, head of R&D for its medical nutrition unit and Angela Rowan, marketing manager for the company’s paediatric division about the solutions the company exhibited at the show.

Gregory spoke to Alex about the growth of the medical nutrition unit, which was established by Fonterra/NZMP last year, and discussed how the company has refined several of its concepts and prototypes after an extensive consultation process with consumers.

One concept that NZMP exhibited at the show was a high-protein medical protein beverage, which was predominantly whey-based, making it easier for elderly consumers to consume their recommended daily intake of protein.

Gregory stressed the importance of protein consumption for elderly consumers, in order to prevent health issues such as sarcopenia. He discussed the protein-fortified food concepts the company has produced in order to make it easier for these consumers to reach their recommended protein intake.

Meanwhile, Rowan spoke about the company’s solutions for the paediatric nutrition market, with a particular focus on the company’s new MFGM (milk fat globule membrane) lipid ingredient, which it launched at Health Ingredients Europe.

NZMP SureStart’s new MFGM Lipid 70 ingredient can be used in infant formulas to help more closely match the composition and nutritional benefits of breast milk.

Rowan said that key benefits offered by MFGM lipids include aiding brain development and cognition, a key topic for the company at the show, as well as helping support digestive health and supporting immune protection.

Rowan also suggested that MFGM lipids could be used to support healthy ageing by helping to keep brain functions “younger for longer”.