Arla Foods Ingredients concept for protein bar innovation

Arla Foods Ingredients has launched a new concept demonstrating how protein bar manufacturers can improve nutritional profile without compromising on taste or texture.

Making its debut at SupplySide Global (29–30 October in Las Vegas), Easy Bite is a bite-size protein snack which has been created using customised whey protein solution Lacprodan EasyBar. The snack is designed to deliver up to 40% protein in an 18 g serving, which contains just eight ingredients and is high in fibre, with no added sugar or fat, and no maltitol.

Additionally, the concept avoids the textural deterioration that can affect protein bars, maintaining stable softness over a two-year shelf life without the need for additional fat or water-binding ingredients like collagen.

Peter Schouw Andersen, Senior Director, Performance Nutrition at Arla Foods Ingredients, said: “We’ve created this concept to respond to the biggest trends in the protein bar market. Taste and texture are still king but health considerations are increasingly important — for younger consumers in particular. Easy Bite meets all these needs, offering a high-protein, low-fat, fibre-rich option that retains its softness without the need for a long ingredients list. We hope it will create exciting new opportunities for protein bar innovation.”

The company will showcase two other concepts at SupplySide Global:

• A protein soda that responds to the ‘better for you’ soft drinks trend. Featuring specialty whey protein ingredient Lacprodan BLG-100, it contains 10 g of protein and no sugar.
• ‘Refreshed in Seconds’, a concept that demonstrates the benefits of Lacprodan ISO.RefreshShake — the latest addition to the company’s portfolio of whey protein isolates for clear shakes. It delivers 20 g of protein per 300 mL serving.