Probiotics – so-called ‘good’ bacteria that have been studied for their digestive health and immune benefits – have traditionally been used in dairy products.
The prospect of moving into table top sweeteners is interesting as such products are popular with people who are already making a healthy choice by replacing sugar. The two companies will be working together over the coming months to develop the artificial non-calorie sweetener.
They partners have said they expect the new product to be used in traditional applications for sweeteners – that is, used in tea and coffee instead of sugar, and in home baked goods. To this end, Heartland opted for Ganeden’s GanedenBC30 because an “organic shell” protects the live bacteria from the rigors of baking and manufacturing, and also helps it to remain bake stable.
This means that more bacteria will survive to the gastrointestinal tract, where the benefits are actually realised. Indeed, superior survival is said to be the reason why Ganeden opted to work with Bacillus coagulans in the first place, rather than more conventional probiotic strains.
Andrew Lefkowitz, CEO of Ganeden Biotech, said: “This collaboration marks a significant step forward in our effort to take probiotics beyond the yoghurt aisle.”
Probiotics elsewhere
Ganeden has also been making moves towards extending probiotics into more food types. Last year it presented industry with a bar containing GanedenBC30, and it also teamed up with PLThomas to take it into other functional foods and beverages.
The probiotic strain attained self-affirmed GRAS status in December 2007. Before that date, GanedenBC30 was used in dietary supplements, as well as animal health products, feminine hygiene and topical applications.