Ingredients Categories

News

DuPont launches cultures for plant-based products

7 May 2019

DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences has announced a new cultures line that contains its premium HOWARU probiotics which are specially designed for fermented plant-based products to deliver clinically backed health benefits.

The DuPont Danisco VEGE cultures range is said to offer desired taste and texture profiles in non-dairy applications.

DuPont launches cultures for plant-based products

New additions to this range – HOWARU Dophilus VG, which contains Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and HOWARU Bifido VG, which contains Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 – have highly documented, positive results in human studies for digestive health and well-being, the company says.

Available in single strain form, the range is non-dairy, non-animal, non-allergen, non-GMO, and is suitable for vegan diets. It is also said to be easy to integrate with existing cultures used in plant-based fermented food and beverage formulations.

“Digestive wellness is one of the top global trends for 2019. As consumers continue to make health and wellness part of their daily routines, they’re looking for benefit-focused options,” said Sonia Huppert, Global Product Leader, Plant-Based Products, DuPont. “Digestive health is an area where consumers can feel the benefits immediately. Symptoms like bloating and irregularity are treated with diet changes and with new products. Innovations in fermentation and probiotics can truly deliver solutions in this area.”

DuPont conducted a research study with Global Data Insights to ascertain consumer perception of probiotics. When asked the impact respondents believe that probiotics have on health and wellness, 46% of the nearly 12,000 respondents in Europe said probiotics had a positive effect, and 65% of respondents in the United States responded positively.

Validated by clinical trials, the HOWARU brand is described as a high activity, premium probiotic product with high performance, high stability and high functionality as its hallmark traits.

These cultures not only respond to important wellness trends, DuPont believes, but also to the increased demand for plant-based foods and the constant desire for great taste and texture. DuPont Danisco VEGE cultures were developed for a wide-ranging variety of plant-based raw materials, such as soy, peas, coconut, almond, nuts, oat, maize, rice, fruits and vegetables, to satisfy consumer taste and texture expectations – from typical and appealing fresh, clean and mild flavours to new, pleasant unexpected flavours.

“We have the broadest portfolio for plant-based fermented foods and beverages and a deep passion to not only help deliver the food experience consumers desire, but also to bring the health benefits they’re continually seeking,” said Didier Carcano, Global Marketing Leader, Cultures, DuPont. “We aim to continue investing in this area, growing our probiotics expansion efforts and working with our customers to create essential health solutions for growth opportunities across the globe.”

Related news

The new geopolitics of food: How to create a resilient, self-reliant industry

The new geopolitics of food: How to create a resilient, self-reliant industry

2 Jul 2026

Today's global food system is fragile and volatile and governments must respond by building “resilient self-reliance”, says the think tank, IPES-Food.

Read more 
Pistachio supply concerns spur diversified sourcing strategies

Pistachio supply concerns spur diversified sourcing strategies

1 Jul 2026

Geopolitical and climate-change shocks have highlighted the threats to pistachio supply, prompting alternative formulations and long-term sourcing solutions.

Read more 
Arla Foods and DMK Group merge in big-dairy development

Arla Foods and DMK Group merge in big-dairy development

24 Jun 2026

International dairy company Arla Foods and German farmer-owned business DMK Group are to merge, creating one of Europe’s biggest dairy cooperatives.

Read more 
Greenpeace study finds microplastics in baby food products

Greenpeace study finds microplastics in baby food products

22 Jun 2026

A Greenpeace study found microplastics in nearly every sample taken from Nestlé’s Gerber and Danone’s Happy Baby Organics baby food plastic pouches.

Read more 
Market watch: Allergen-free no longer a 'fringe niche'

Market watch: Allergen-free no longer a 'fringe niche'

17 Jun 2026

Allergen-free food and drink products are now “structurally embedded” into the wider health and wellness category, with significant innovation happening at retail and brand level, say experts.

Read more 
IFF prepares to sell food ingredients business to CVC

IFF prepares to sell food ingredients business to CVC

16 Jun 2026

With IFF set to sell its food ingredients division to CVC Capital Partners for €3.7 billion, we look at how mergers, acquisitions, and divestments are shaping the sector.

Read more 
GLP-1 food and drink innovation: ‘Flavour still matters’

GLP-1 food and drink innovation: ‘Flavour still matters’

10 Jun 2026

Many GLP-1 users have altered flavour preferences, becoming highly nuanced and “complex”, with important implications for how brands formulate, says the Institute of Grocery Distribution.

Read more 
Ingredion’s Tate & Lyle takeover bid offers scale and science

Ingredion’s Tate & Lyle takeover bid offers scale and science

5 Jun 2026

US ingredients business Ingredion has made a £2.7bn takeover bid for its London-listed peer Tate & Lyle.

Read more 
Basic staples get a premium upgrade for at-home eating

Basic staples get a premium upgrade for at-home eating

3 Jun 2026

From Kraft Heinz’s “restaurant-style” mac and cheese to Mars’ street food-inspired noodles, brands are elevating their basic staple meals with premium versions.

Read more 
Food and drink giants call for postponements to EU packaging laws

Food and drink giants call for postponements to EU packaging laws

1 Jun 2026

Some of Europe’s biggest companies, including Coca-Cola, Kraft Heinz, McCormick, and Mondelēz, have called for new EU rules on packaging to be delayed.

Read more