Chr. Hansen launches ‘The Probiotics Institute’ digital resource
The Probiotics Institute is a science-based platform that aims to provide authority to the ever-increasing library of research in this area as well as clear up misconceptions about probiotics and their benefits.
“We are excited to launch this platform across a number of important markets to provide an even better service and inspiration to our B2B customers and health care professionals,” says Christian Barker, executive vice president of Chr. Hansen’s Health & Nutrition Division.
“We have a strategic ambition to shape the global probiotics market through scientific leadership and expansion into new B2B customer groups and segments, and this initiative should be seen as a step in that direction.”
Available initially in English and later in several other languages, the platform covers such topics as the Human microbiome, Infant health, Immune health and General information on probiotics.
Key to the resource’s offerings is the range of scientific study data featured that provide relevant, peer-reviewed content on the probiotics, strains and solutions scientifically documented.
The Probiotics Institute also breaks down the probiotics most applicable to each of the life stages, babies and young children, adult, pregnant and elderly, as interest in probiotic supplementation increasingly becomes an established lifestyle option.
‘The probiotic jungle’
“It is our ambition that The Probiotics Institute will foster the engagement of users and become a natural forum of reference and interaction for healthcare professionals and professional science communities,” adds Kevin Mehring, senior vice president for Human Health, Chr. Hansen.
“We know that it can be challenging for healthcare professionals and our business partners to distinguish reliable evidence from many conflicting scientific studies of varying quality.
“We want to help them make informed choices in the probiotic jungle. We will do this by providing high-quality content on The Probiotics Institute, relevant for professionals needing information, scientific data or educational content within the field of probiotics,” he adds.
Chr. Hansen’s platform closely follows a number of similar resources, also aimed at responsibly informing audiences in other health areas, as a possible antidote to misinformation seen on social media.
Only last month Danone Nutricia released details of The Danone Nutricia Campus, a digital platform that offering opportunities for ongoing education and access to expert opinion in first 1000 days, Frailty & Disease Related Malnutrition, Early Alzheimer’s disease and nutritional demands of preterm infants.
The Campus also takes a timely allocation of resources to focus on COVID-19 with a range of webinars discussing nutritional interventions and approaches that may aid in the fight against the virus.
In March, Tate and Lyle set the ball rolling with its digital resource that looks to provide clarity on the research behind ingredients used in the firm’s offerings in sports nutrition and gut health.
The Tate & Lyle Nutrition Centre is an online hub that scrutinises evidence-based science for ingredients such as sweeteners and dietary fibres, and their impact on the gut microbiome, bone and overall health.
“As a leader in the probiotics industry we want to demonstrate Chr. Hansen’s commitment to education and increase the general awareness about probiotics with healthcare professionals and our B2B customers, based on our scientific approach to research and innovation,” adds Mehring.
Emerging Chinese market
The Probiotics Institute also aims to extend its reach globally with the imminent launch of The Probiotics Institute (China), a service in Chinese created to match the needs of the Chinese market.
A locally hosted version of Chr. Hansen’s official website, in Chinese, is also underway with an expected launch date in June.
A local Chinese server hosting the corporate website will make it easier for Chinese stakeholders to access the information on the website considerably faster and more smoothly.
Chr. Hansen’s presence in the probiotics sector is well established with its Bifidobacterium, BB-12 strain associated with supporting the immune system and the digestive health of children and adults.
The Denmark-based firm’s Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG strain has proved effective against conditions affecting digestive, immune, and oral health, with health benefits in these areas observed in babies, children, and adults.
