MilkyMist, a prominent dairy innovator from South India, has collaborated with SIG and AnaBio Technologies to unveil the world’s first long-life probiotic buttermilk packaged in aseptic cartons. This innovative development, showcased at Gulfood Manufacturing 2024 in Dubai, marks a significant milestone in the beverage industry, facilitating the incorporation of probiotics into shelf-stable drinks for the first time.
MilkyMist, in partnership with SIG and AnaBio Technologies, has launched the world’s first long-life probiotic buttermilk in aseptic carton packs.
As a leading dairy innovator from South India, MilkyMist has collaborated with SIG and AnaBio Technologies to introduce this pioneering product.
Featured at Gulfood Manufacturing 2024 in Dubai, this ground-breaking development signifies a substantial advancement in the beverage industry. It enables probiotics to be incorporated into shelf-stable drinks packaged in aseptic cartons for the first time.
The integration of AnaBio Technologies’ patented encapsulation technology with SIG’s gentle aseptic filling method has effectively addressed the challenge posed by heat treatments during ultra-high-temperature (UHT) processing, which typically compromise probiotic viability. This groundbreaking approach allows MilkyMist to deliver probiotic buttermilk that is shelf-stable without the need for refrigeration.
“We are thrilled to offer our probiotic buttermilk, a groundbreaking product that combines health and convenience, reduces energy consumption and food waste, thus helping us bring the goodness of probiotics to the people. This game-changing product not only offers consumers a healthy and nutritious option but also ensures long shelf-life without the need for refrigeration. We look forward to seeing this product make a positive difference in the lives of consumers,” stated Dr. K Rathnam, chief executive officer of MilkyMist.
Christoph Wegener, chief markets officer of SIG, remarked, “We are proud to display an ingenious example of a new product category expansion: long-life probiotic buttermilk in an aseptic carton pack. It has health benefits and overcomes the limitations of fresh probiotic drinks. With a longer shelf life and no need for refrigeration, we significantly increase the reach and can bring the goodness of probiotics to the people. The way is paved for many more amazing long-life probiotic products in our aseptic packaging solutions.”
Dr. Aidan Fitzsimons, CEO of AnaBio Technologies, added, “This is a real step forward in innovation in the field of probiotic beverage products and represents a significant contribution to consumer health.”
AnaBio’s proprietary encapsulation technology safeguards the probiotics with a protective protein coat, enabling them to endure high temperatures during buttermilk processing while remaining stable throughout the product’s shelf life. Once ingested, enzymes naturally present in the intestines break down the protein coat, releasing the probiotics to colonize the intestines and deliver their gut and immune health benefits. This innovative encapsulation technique, combined with SIG’s aseptic filling technology—which ensures a uniform suspension of probiotic cells per pack—will empower MilkyMist to revolutionize shelf-stable probiotic beverages.
MilkyMist’s innovative beverage will be presented in SIG XSlimBloc 200ml aseptic carton packs, ensuring that probiotic cultures remain effective without refrigeration while maintaining taste and quality.
Vandana Tandan, head of market India & Bangladesh at SIG, emphasized the launch’s potential to advance the probiotic dairy market by providing a long-lasting, gut-healthy product that caters to the evolving needs of health-conscious consumers.
“We are excited to see MilkyMist launching the very first probiotic buttermilk drink in our SIG XSlimBloc carton pack. A true step-change innovation in the Indian dairy market,” Tandan concluded.
