NZMP achieves 95% decrease in lactose, to launch its first Low Lactose Instant Whole Milk Powder

Offering those that experience lactose intolerance the ability to enjoy the goodness of dairy  

Dubai, UAE, February 28, 2017:  NZMP, the global ingredients brand of Fonterra, has launched NZMP Low Lactose Instant Whole Milk Powder (IWMP). This new ingredient has less than 2% lactose and allows consumer milk powder manufacturers to capitalise on the increasing consumer demand for low lactose foods. 
Santiago Aon, General Manager Middle East for NZMP, says “We developed our Low Lactose ingredient so customers can provide a premium dairy nutrition solution to consumers who avoid milk because of lactose.

“Our analysis shows low lactose dairy offerings can command a 32% premium above standard offers, with consumer milk powder  manufacturers able to make up to a 17% margin on low lactose instant whole milk products.”

Consumer awareness and popularity of low lactose products has been steadily increasing – with 13% year-on-year growth in on-pack claims in the Middle East and Africa and 54% year-on-year growth in on-pack claims in South East Asia. 

“Demand for low lactose products has increased, and there is an enormous opportunity for profitable growth with low lactose dairy powders.

“NZMP Low Lactose IWMP will give our customers access to new consumer and market segments, as well as increase consumption frequency and volume per occasion with existing customers,” says Aon. 

NZMP Low Lactose IWMP tastes creamy and is naturally sweeter than instant whole milk powder, with no added sugar. 

Standard Instant Whole Milk Powder contains 40% lactose, while NZMP Low Lactose IWMP contains less than 2% lactose (a 95% decrease in lactose). 
That means a 25 gram serve of NZMP Low Lactose IWMP contains less than half a gram of lactose, which is then diluted in water when consumed. As a result, most people will be able to tolerate the lactose in this ingredient without the symptoms associated with lactose intolerance. 

Lactose is the sugar found naturally in milk and other dairy products. Lactose is broken down by the enzyme lactase in the gastrointestinal tract and absorbed, but some people lose the ability to digest lactose. This lactose malabsorption can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain and bloating.

Nearly three out of four people in Asia are deficient in the enzyme lactase and up to 40% of people in the Middle East and Africa are lactase deficient . 

Manufacturers using NZMP ingredients can leverage the advantage of New Zealand grass-fed dairy, as well as benefit from dairy expertise that leads the world. In addition, customers using NZMP’s newest ingredient can label it as low lactose, a good source of calcium and high in protein. 

The total powdered milk market is worth USD $14 billion globally and the health and wellness powered milk market  is currently valued at $7 billion .