The Dairy ingredients unit of Dutch company DSM Food Specialties' has won an award for a recently developed range of probiotic cultures. The unit was awarded "Highly Commended" in the Biotechnology category, in the 2002 Industry Awards Ceremony sponsored by the New South Wales Government of Australia.
DSM's entry showcased the development of the LAFTI range of probiotic cultures, recently launched in Europe at the Fi Europe in November 2001 in London.
The LAFTI range is currently comprised of three probiotic strains: LAFTI L10 (Lactobacillus acidophilus), LAFTI L26 (Lactobacillus paracasei) and LAFTI B94 (Bifidobacterium lactis). The Award for Excellence and Innovation in Biotechnology recognised DSM's efforts in the demonstration of the efficacy of the LAFTI cultures. DSM claimed in a statement that the effectiveness of the LAFTI cultures in preserving the balance of intestinal microflora in the bowel has been proven in a range of in vitro and in vivo trials. The company is continuing clinical trials to build further evidence for the product claims.