Chr. Hansen gets safety nod for 2’-FL HMO in Australia and NZ

14-Jun-2022 - Last updated on 14-Jun-2022 at 11:02 GMT

Pic: GettyImages Laikwunfei

Food Standards Australia New Zealand, FSANZ, has approved Chr. Hansen’s 2’-FL human milk oligosaccharide for use in infant formula.

Chr. Hansen said 2’-FL HMO is the ‘most abundant’ and ‘most studied’ human oligosaccharide in breast milk, used in infant formula around the world since 2016.

Formula that’s ‘closer to breast milk’

HMO 2’-FL makes up 20-30% of the total HMO composition in breast milk. Discovered in 1954, it was the first HMO to be commercially produced and recognised as safe in Europe and North America by EFSA and the US FDA.

Approval of the ingredient will allow Chr. Hansen customers in Australia and New Zealand to produce infant formula products that are ‘closer to breast milk’, according to Jesper Sig Mathiasen, senior vice president, Chr. Hansen HMO.

“As one of the leading suppliers of HMOs, we are pleased to have our 2’-FL HMO ingredient officially approved by national authorities in Australia and New Zealand. In these attractive markets we can now support our customers in supplying leading infant formula products that are closer to breast milk,” he said.

“Breastfeeding is the best way to ensure infant health and recommended by WHO. At Chr. Hansen, we further aim to support the healthy development of infants that cannot be breastfed by providing HMOs as an ingredient for infant formula,” added Dr. Katja Parschat, head of Research & Development at Chr. Hansen HMO.

“The latest research shows that HMOs contribute to health benefits, such as supporting the immune system and healthy brain development. Also, HMOs are indicated to support gut maturation and resilience, as well as promotion of a balanced gut microbiome. We are happy to be able to offer our solutions to customers in Australia and New Zealand now,” Dr. Parschat concluded.

HMO ingredients to reflect the ‘natural concentrations’ of breast milk

Chr. Hansen’s portfolio includes a range of HMO ingredients including a 5 HMO Mix that is composed to reflect the ‘natural concentrations’ of HMOs in breast milk. It contains HMOs of each structural group (fucosylated HMOs, neutral, non-fucosylated and sialylated HMOs) by including 2’-FL, 3’FL, LNT, 6’-SL and 3’-SL HMOs.