In an industry-first, SIG and AnaBio Technologies have jointly launched the world’s first long-life probiotic yogurt, revolutionizing the probiotic beverages sector and the aseptic packaging industry. This ground-breaking innovation creates an entirely new product category—probiotic beverages in aseptic carton packs and spouted pouches that remain shelf-stable without refrigeration for extended periods.

Until now, the incorporation of probiotics into aseptic beverage packaging was a significant challenge due to the microorganisms’ sensitivity to heat treatments and instability during storage. However, the combination of AnaBio’s cutting-edge encapsulation technology and SIG’s state-of-the-art aseptic filling technology has successfully overcome these limitations. The breakthrough enables food and beverage companies to offer probiotic beverages containing live probiotics in convenient and sustainable carton packs and spouted pouches. These products can be stored at room temperature, answering consumer demand for healthy, tasty, and nutrition-packed probiotic options without the need for refrigeration.

Sinéad Bleiel, Founder of AnaBio Technologies, explained the transformative impact of their encapsulation technology: “Our patented technology coats probiotic cells like Lactobacillus strains with a protective layer, allowing them to withstand high processing temperatures. Upon consumption, the coating breaks down naturally, releasing the probiotics to deliver their health benefits. Alongside SIG, we are redefining what consumers can expect from probiotic beverages.”

Christoph Wegener, Chief Markets Officer at SIG, elaborated on the significance of this innovation for both retailers and consumers. “Our game-changing technology offers lower distribution costs, longer shelf life, and less food wastage. It also responds to rapidly changing consumer needs by offering high-quality probiotic beverages in some of the most sustainable packaging solutions on the market,” Wegener stated.

This partnership between SIG and AnaBio Technologies paves the way for unlimited opportunities, ranging from the creation of new product segments in emerging markets to combining sustainable packaging solutions with previously unavailable healthy probiotic options. It promises a seismic shift in the probiotic beverages market, with far-reaching impacts on consumer health and sustainable packaging solutions.

  AnaBio Technologies, Christoph Wegener, Packaging Industry News, SIG, Sinéad Bleiel, Yogurt