About half of the world’s population suffers from lactose intolerance. At the same time more and more consumers associate lactose free products with a healthy choice and hence exclude dairy from their diet. Therefore the lactose free dairy segment is growing rapidly; not least in high end products such as yogurts and desserts, especially in Europe, North America and Latin America.
Furthermore, increases in disposable income in Asia and Africa, where we find the highest prevalence of lactose intolerance, make these regions interesting new markets for innovative dairy producers – but documenting that the right level of lactose is achieved is key.
This is where a new strong solution from Chr. Hansen comes in: LactoSens® is a quick and easy-to-use quantitative test for lactose in low lactose/lactose-free milk and dairy products.
Best of both worlds
LactoSens® combines the advantages of a rapid test with the accuracy of a reference method.
“This makes it the perfect test kit,” says Jes Thyge Jensen, Director, Test Kits, Chr. Hansen. “Using a simple sample protocol, LactoSens® offers an HPLC calibrated result within a few minutes – providing certainty while saving time and costs. It enables producers to release products as soon as the easy in-house testing confirms the lactose concentration,”
Moreover it facilitates traceability, as dairies can document low lactose / lactose-free claims for every batch that leaves the production facility.
A powerful duo
Using LactoSens® in combination with Chr. Hansen’s new innovative lactase enzyme Nola Fit®leaves dairy producers with a good hand:
First Nola Fit® breaks down the lactose to glucose and galactose, opening the door for lactose intolerant consumers to enjoy the goodness of yogurt and other fermented milk products. Then LactoSens® fast and easily determines the residual lactose level.
“We see this powerful duo as a fast track for dairy producers to get a piece of the action from the growing lactose free market,” concludes Jes Thyge Jensen.
