Morinaga Milk receives GRAS status for LAC-Shield

Japanese dairy products producer Morinaga Milk Industry has attained self-affirmed generally recognised as safe (GRAS) status in the US for its immunogenic ingredient LAC-Shield.

The designation is expected to allow manufacturers of dietary supplements, functional foods and beverages across the US to include LAC-Shield in products that have been designed to improve immune function.

Morinaga Milk International Division general manager Ko Shiino said: “In recent years, people have been demanding additional value and health benefits from the foods they consume.

“LAC-Shield has excellent potential to respond to those needs in the global market.

“Achieving GRAS status enables LAC-Shield to be included in a wide variety of functional foods and beverages.

“We will continue our efforts to gain GRAS status for other probiotics in our portfolio so that we can contribute to healthier and brighter futures of people throughout the world.”

The ingredient is made from Lactobacillus paracasei MCC1849 and is widely used in Japan for its potential to enhance consumers’ immune systems.

More than 150 food companies across the country have incorporated LAC-Shield into their products to date.

Morinaga Milk noted that its LAC-Shield is pasteurised and tolerant of high heat and humidity, making it easy for manufacturers to include it in a range of products.

In addition to LAC-Shield, Morinaga Milk previously secured GRAS status for its flagship probiotic Bifidobacterium longum BB536 in 2007 and for Bifidobacterium breve M-16V in 2013.

Morinaga Milk offers various dairy products and other beneficial functional ingredients to customers worldwide.