In a groundbreaking partnership, South India’s dairy leader MilkyMist, SIG, and AnaBio Technologies have introduced the world’s first long-life probiotic buttermilk packaged in aseptic carton packs. Unveiled at the 2024 Gulfood Manufacturing event in Dubai, this innovative product addresses a longstanding challenge in the probiotic beverage industry: maintaining live probiotic cultures in shelf-stable, non-refrigerated drinks.
Historically, probiotic drinks required refrigeration due to the delicate nature of live probiotics, which often couldn’t withstand the heat treatments in Ultra-High-Temperature (UHT) processing. However, through AnaBio Technologies’ patented encapsulation technology and SIG’s advanced aseptic filling system, MilkyMist’s new buttermilk now brings the health benefits of probiotics to shelf-stable packaging. “We are thrilled to offer our probiotic buttermilk—a product that combines health and convenience, reduces energy consumption, and food waste, bringing the goodness of probiotics to people without refrigeration,” said Dr. K Rathnam, CEO of MilkyMist.
The encapsulation technology, central to this innovation, coats probiotics with a protective protein layer that withstands UHT processing, ensuring viability through the product’s shelf life. Once ingested, the protein coat breaks down in the intestine, releasing the probiotics, which then promote gut and immune health.
Christoph Wegener, SIG’s Chief Markets Officer, expressed the company’s excitement about redefining the probiotic category: “This long-life probiotic buttermilk in an aseptic carton pack has health benefits and overcomes the limitations of fresh probiotic drinks. With a longer shelf life and no need for refrigeration, we significantly increase reach and can bring the goodness of probiotics to more people.”
The aseptic packaging, delivered in SIG’s XSlimBloc 200mL carton pack, allows for convenient storage and a broader distribution footprint, potentially reducing food waste and energy usage. This not only enhances the accessibility of nutritious probiotic products but also lowers logistical costs. “We are set to further develop the probiotic dairy market, providing a long-lasting, gut-healthy product that meets the evolving needs of today’s health-conscious consumers,” noted Vandana Tandan, Head of Market India & Bangladesh at SIG.
AnaBio’s encapsulation technique also ensures a consistent concentration of probiotics per pack, preserving the product’s effectiveness and taste. Dr. Aidan Fitzsimons, CEO of AnaBio Technologies, described the collaboration as a “real step forward” in probiotic beverage innovation, adding that the product represents a significant contribution to consumer health.
This launch positions MilkyMist, SIG, and AnaBio Technologies as pioneers in a market traditionally dominated by refrigerated products, paving the way for further innovation in shelf-stable, health-oriented beverages.