Laita Nutrition is the nutrition division of the Laita dairy cooperative, one of the top 10 dairy cooperatives in Europe. It specialises in the formulation and manufacturing of complex nutritional products for customers that desire to enter the sports nutrition market or to existing brand players.
The sports nutrition sector is constantly evolving. Initially focused on bodybuilders and athletes, it has now gradually opened up to ordinary consumers who are adopting healthy lifestyles, and this is further strengthened by the pandemic. A holistic approach to sports nutrition has emerged, with a market shift from the search for performance and muscle gain, to the search for health and well-being through physical activity and food. In addition, the trend for on-the-go consumption is driving growth so as the desire for natural products like plant-based proteins. All these trends are posing a challenge for dairy companies who must reinvent themselves.
In a sports nutrition market dominated by powdered products, Laita Nutrition has chosen to offer 3 (liquid) drinks, with one ambition i.e. to make the protein more readily available to consumers. Laita offers innovative solutions to its customers in the form of 2 high-protein drinks, one made with plant proteins and the other with cow’s milk proteins, and a performance shot made with amino acids.
The 3 turnkey innovations comprise of a high-protein legume-based drink suitable for consumption before, during and after exercise. Packaged in a 300ml bottle, it is rich in plant-based protein with 6.7g per 100ml. There are currently few vegetable alternatives with such high protein content, sugar-free and enriched with vitamins and minerals. For the flavor, Laita bets on chocolate hazelnut drink with a smooth creamy texture. In addition, this product need not require refrigeration as it has a long shelf life in a UHT sterilised bottle.
Another product to target seasoned sportsmen who want to promote muscle growth and performance is its 70ml shot, composed of water and amino acids to ensure optimal performance. The product contains Beta alanine to increase muscle mass, caffeine to improve concentration and taurine to help muscle contraction and improve performance. This product has an ‘unusual’ flavor to stand out from competitors.
The final product is a high-protein drink made with cow’s milk protein. Milk proteins have traditionally bring flavor, fluidity, naturalness and performance to high-protein drinks. Laita offers a 200ml bottle which offers 12.5g of cow milk proteins per 100ml.
Laita Nutrition can develop unique manufacturing processes allowing its client companies to adapt formulas to consumer needs, both in the area of cow protein and plant-based protein products.
