Arla first to launch Stevia yoghurt drink

Following the European Commissions’ approval of the plant stevia as sweetener in foods, Arla Foods in the Netherlands is the first to launch a zero per cent fat, low calorie yoghurt drink on the market without any artificial sweeteners. And Stevia has the potential to move many of Arla’s products even Closer to Nature.

In November 2011 the European Commission approved the use of stevia in food production and thereby opened up for the all natural sweetener in dairy products. The leafs of the plant contain sweeteners that are up to 300 times sweeter than sugar, completely natural and without any calories, thus making it a healthy alternative to processed sugar.

Anticipating on the expected approval the innovation department in the Netherlands started development of products more than a year ago, that is why the very first dairy product using stevia hit the Dutch market in March. Director of marketing and innovation, Louis Rippen, is confident that the new innovation will become a big success:

“Arla Zin! sets new standards for calories in a yoghurt drink, and with only 39 calories per 100 milliliter we really have come far. Stevia is going to help us a lot further in making our dairy products healthier and more natural, thus keeping our promise to the consumers.”

Great potential for Arla

The potential for using stevia in Arla products are huge. The plant can help replace much of the artificial sweeteners used today in a lot of dairy products. And Louis Rippen is certain that Arla Zin! is another step in the right direction towards getting the Arla brand even Closer to Nature:

“I believe this is the start of a new generation of products. There is no doubt that a lot of European companies in the coming months will introduce products using stevia. It is Arla’s promise to make all products as natural as possible, and therefore we must be in front in the use of stevia as well.”