Solution designed to give cheese a protein boost

Arla Foods Ingredients is demonstrating how manufacturers can meet demand for high-protein cheese products that combine nutritional quality with indulgence.

In a market where consumers are highly focused on value, health concerns remain a powerful purchase driver. In the US, 51% of cheese consumers are attracted to products with on-pack health claims, while 38% of those in Spain and Italy say they would buy a product that offers a nutritional benefit.

With 42% of consumers globally saying that protein is the most important ingredient, boosting protein content in cheese can be a good strategy to improve nutritional status and allow health claims.

Arla Foods Ingredients has launched two new recipe concepts that show how its solutions can meet both these needs. Based on quality dairy ingredients, they are designed to allow manufacturers to swap out milk fat in favour of milk proteins, as well as increasing calcium content.

A new cream cheese concept is claimed to provide a creamy texture and taste despite containing 50% less fat than standard recipes. Rich in whey proteins thanks to the inclusion of Nutrilac QU-7650 and CH-4560, it delivers all the essential amino acids.

Meanwhile, a low-fat solution for individually wrapped cheese slices uses the fat-mimicking proteins in Nutrilac FO-7065 to reduce the need for skimmed milk cheese. Also containing milk mineral concentrate Capolac, a single 20 g slice is claimed to contain as much calcium as a large glass of milk.

Claus Bukbjerg Andersen, Senior Category Manager, Cheese at Arla Foods Ingredients, said: “Cheese consumers are highly focused on nutritional value, in particular protein content. At the same time, they still want indulgent taste and texture. While this has posed challenges for manufacturers, it has also opened up new opportunities. As our new concepts demonstrate, the right ingredients can give a cheese product a major nutrition boost, creating opportunities for health claims without sacrificing on taste or texture.”

The concepts are shown in videos on the Arla Foods website.