TOKYO -- Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd. (TOKYO:2264), a leading Japanese dairy product company, announced its proprietary probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis M-63 was approved by the National Health Commission (NHC) of the People’s Republic of China as a new food ingredient for use in infant and children foods (under the age of three) on 25 July, 2024. This approval marks a significant milestone for the company, making it the only Japanese firm to have three bifidobacteria strains registered for use in China’s infant and toddler food market[1].

*[1] Source: Public announcement published on the website of the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (August 5, 2024)

The newly registered Bifidobacterium infantis M-63 joins Morinaga Milk’s other approved strains, Bifidobacterium breve M-16V and Bifidobacterium longum BB536. All three strains are now permitted for use in foods for children under three years old in China, meeting the country’s stringent nutritional and safety standards.

Expanding Global Presence

This approval aligns with Morinaga Milk’s 10-year vision to become a globally recognized company with a significant international presence. As part of this vision, the company aims to achieve a Global Business sales ratio of 15% or more by the fiscal year ending in March 2029. The approval of Bifidobacterium infantis M-63 represents a strategic step towards this goal, allowing Morinaga Milk to strengthen its bacteria business in the Chinese market, which accounts for more than 40% of the global formula milk market and is the second-largest supplement market worldwide[2].

*[2] Source: Survey by Euromonitor International (May 2024), based on retail sales prices

Health Benefits of Bifidobacterium infantis M-63

Bifidobacterium infantis M-63 is a unique probiotic strain of human-residential bifidobacteria (HRB) - bifidobacteria that naturally reside in the human gut - and is renowned for its ability to utilize human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) found in breast milk, significantly improving the intestinal environment of healthy full-term infants. With China’s recent approval of HMO use in formula milk in October 2023[3], the combination of Bifidobacterium infantis M-63 and HMO is expected to support the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria, enhancing the development and health of infants and toddlers[4].

*[3]Source: National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, No. 8, 2023 (Sept. 22, 2023)
*[4] Source: Mintel, “HMOs approval in China infant formula is a game changer” (Jan. 2024)

Probiotics strain of bifidobacteria registered as New Food Ingredients in China

Commitment to Quality and Research

Morinaga Milk has been at the forefront of bifidobacteria research since discovering Bifidobacterium longum BB536 in 1969. The company leads globally in the number of clinical research papers on bifidobacteria, underlining its commitment to advancing scientific understanding and improving public health.

Future Prospects

The registration of Bifidobacterium infantis M-63 paves the way for its use in a wide range of products. Morinaga Milk plans to leverage this approval to expand collaborations with major formula milk manufacturers and promote supplements and other related products in China and globally. By providing accurate information on the benefits of Bifidobacterium infantis M-63 to consumers and partners, Morinaga Milk aims to enhance the health and nutrition of people worldwide.