GELITA hails potential of collagen peptides in Asian dairy
The company has been awarded a Foods with Function Claim (FFC) linked to skin elasticity for its VERISOL collagen peptide product. This means that, after submitting their product for approval as a food with function claim, food and beverage manufacturers using these bioactive collagen peptides (BCP) can now claim on their packaging: “This product contains VERISOL Collagen Peptides. VERISOL is reported to maintain skin elasticity and supports skin health”.
Communicating health benefits
The Japanese health claim category Foods with Function Claims was introduced in April 2015 to improve availability of products that are clearly labelled with certain nutritional or health functions. The aim is to enable consumers to make more informed choices and function claims are based on scientific evidence, providing their benefits and safety.
“In Japan, collagen peptides are already well known as a ‘beauty from within’ ingredient. However, the granting of this health claim is a very important milestone for the market. Manufacturers can directly show consumers the proven health benefits of VERISOL collagen peptides on their food labels. On top of that, the recommended daily dosage of 2.5g per day and good technological properties are also attracting new business developments with VERISOL in Japan,” said Koji Tanabe, General Manager at GELITA Japan.
GELITA stressed VERISOL’s claim has been substantiated in ‘high-quality scientific studies’, which have resulted in food and beverage companies now being able to market their products with a function claim in Japan.
VERISOL comprises pure collagen peptides that have been specifically developed to provide the highest possible efficacy in human skin. They stimulate the fibroblasts in the dermis, which substantially increases the synthesis of collagen, elastin and proteoglycans – all of which are essential for skin elasticity. As a result, the epidermis is supported from beneath and skin sagging is prevented.
“Beside their bioactive stimulation GELITA collagen peptides are pure proteins without any allergenic potential. Collagen is a very natural ingredient and some 30% of our body protein is collagen, such as skin, fascia, articular cartilage or ligaments and tendons. Also these collagens are foodstuff in their own right, and therefore do not need declaration – important for clean label products,” global communications director Oliver Wolf told this publication.
Innovation opportunity in functional dairy
VERISOL is highly soluble and almost neutral in taste. It can therefore be easily incorporated into various types of liquid and solid functional food applications, or nutricosmetics – from drinks and concentrated ready-to-consume liquid shots to tablets, capsules and flavoured powder mixes. There is a significant innovation opportunity in the functional dairy space, DairyReporter heard.
“As these peptides are easy soluble and easy to process, they are highly suitable also in dairy products. I see a good fit in yogurts as they resonate with healthy nutrition especially in women. Also, dairy beauty drinks based on whey can very much appeal female consumers,” Wolf explained.
He believes that the new Food with Function Claims in Japan unlocks an important opportunity for dairy companies looking to deliver on-trend products in the market. “Asia and Japan are very important markets for beauty products in general and the global trend for collagen beauty products actually originates in this region. Dairy has huge potential for these ‘beauty from within’ products aka. nutricosmetics. Asian women are the forerunners for this category which has now spread all around the world – and men are starting to catch up. But – as valid globally – it is important to back up these claims with solid science to proof what the claims are promising. Especially as consumers all around the globe become more educated and experienced in what products are good for them and which aren’t.”
