The ingredient has received EU novel food approval and achieved GRAS (Generally Recognised as Safe) status from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US.
FrieslandCampina said both approvals are important as the company looks to launch its first human milk oligosaccharide by the end of the year.
More than 200 varieties
HMOs are non-digestible carbohydrates and are the third most abundant component in human milk after lactose and fat. More than 200 different varieties have currently been identified in human milk, of which 2’-FL is the most prevalent.
Recent clinical trials have suggested that 2’-FL plays a key role in protecting and promoting the health of newborn infants, particularly in respect to the immune system, and have shown that the addition of 2’-FL to infant formula is safe and well tolerated.
FrieslandCampina DOMO always advocates breast feeding, however, when this is not possible, the addition of HMOs to infant formula products marks a significant development in supporting early nutrition.
Created through partnership
2’-FL is the result of a global partnership between FrieslandCampina DOMO and the US-based company Glycosyn.
FrieslandCampina DOMO’s 2’-FL ingredient, which will be marketed under the brand name Aequival, is the first product in a range of HMOs that will be commercially available from the company in the foreseeable future.
Italian plant
In addition, a dedicated 2’-FL plant is being built in Italy, allowing large-scale production to take place by the end of this year. Available for the global market, 2’-FL has been developed using Glycosyn’s patented technology.
Godert Zijlstra, business development director HMOs, said, “By the end of 2018, our first HMO, Aequival 2’-FL, will be commercially available.”
He said the company will be formulating and launching a broad range of HMOs over the next few years.
“After decades of experience in infant nutrition and oligosaccharides, we have embarked on a new and exciting time in the development of breakthrough innovations for our industry,” Zijlstra said.