Press release -
The launch of Chr. Hansen YoFlex® Acidifix™ culture opens for new cost-saving yogurt technology
“I believe that this is the future way of making yogurt”, Karsten Tjener, Marketing Director Fresh Dairy, Chr. Hansen.
Chr. Hansen now launches YoFlex® Acidifix™, a culture that due to its exceptional pH stability can revolutionize the way yoghurt is produced and significantly reduce cost[1].
For yogurt manufacturers, obtaining the optimal texture is a costly process, with added texturizers often accounting for 20-25% of the total recipe cost. One strategy to reduce this cost is to preserve the texture built during fermentation, so less texturizers (e.g. protein) are needed. This is achieved by using a gentler yogurt processing method where the yogurt stays warm until filled in the cup to avoid shear and mechanical stress. However, it has previously been impossible to put this technology into use, since no available culture has been pH stable enough to handle it, leading to yogurt that is too acidic.
Now Chr. Hansen launches YoFlex® Acidifix™, a pH stable culture that, through the warm filling process, enables manufacturers to achieve the desired yogurt texture with a protein content that is 0.3 – 0.6% lower than with any other yogurt culture. With protein being one of the more costly texturizers, this corresponds to more than 5% of the recipe cost of a plain yogurt, or approximately USD 1 million for a 50,000 ton per year line.
Karsten Tjener, Marketing Director Fresh Dairy, Chr. Hansen, says: “I believe that this is the future way of making yogurt. With the potential savings that this technology can achieve, the additional equipment investment that it requires will pay off manyfold over time. For yogurt producers, this can significantly add to their bottom line”
YoFlex® Acidifix™ brings additional benefits to customers and consumers
With high pH stability, YoFlex® Acidifix™ also allows for producing very mild yogurt bases that match a greater part of the flavor palette than regular yogurt bases.
Marie Brenoe, Brand Manager Fresh Dairy, Chr. Hansen, says: “We believe that YoFlex® Acidifix™ can help our customers broaden their offering and attract new consumer groups. One could seek inspiration from the ice cream industry, where flavor variety is much greater than for yogurts. This could make yogurt an even more favored snack”.
A third benefit of the high pH stability of YoFlex® Acidifix™ is that it will create a more consistent consumer experience by addressing the issue of continuous acidification during shelf-life, and, given that all other quality requirements are met, provide additional shelf-life.
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[1] The designation ‘yogurt’ is regulated in several countries. Restrictions on the use of this term may apply. Please consult us for more information’
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Chr. Hansen is a leading, global bioscience company that develops natural ingredient solutions for the food, nutritional, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. We develop and produce cultures, enzymes, probiotics and natural colors for a rich variety of foods, confectionery, beverages, dietary supplements and even animal feed and plant protection. Our product innovation is based on more than 30,000 microbial strains – we like to refer to them as ‘good bacteria’. Our solutions enable food manufacturers to produce more with less – while also reducing the use of chemicals and other synthetic additives – which make our products highly relevant in today’s world. We have been delivering value to our partners – and, ultimately, end consumers worldwide – for over 140 years. We are proud that more than one billion people consume products containing our natural ingredients every day. Revenue in the 2016/17 financial year was EUR 1,063 million. Chr. Hansen was founded in 1874 and is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen.
