Arla Foods Develops Healthy Snacks for Children

Arla Foods Ingredients has developed a suite of protein and calcium-rich snacking solutions for children that offer a healthier alternative to chocolate bars and other popular snacks.

According to research, snacks now account about one quarter of the calories American children consume, but there is growing concern over obesity rates among children. The role of snacking in their diets is now under greater scrutiny than ever before.

To enable manufacturers to create healthier, tastier snacks for children, Arla Foods Ingredients has launched a selection of new product application solutions.

Among the solutions in the range is a 35g ‘dairy bar’ that offers as much calcium per serving as one glass of milk. It is 20% protein and low in calories. Benchmarked against a typical chocolate bar, it contains one third less energy and, since more of the calories come from protein, energy release in the body is optimized.

Other innovative application solutions in the new snacking range include a yoghurt bar, a healthier dessert, a carbonized drinking yoghurt and a snack cake with less than 100 calories per serving.

Kasia Lindegaard, customer marketing manager at Arla Foods Ingredients, said: “With these new dairy-based kids’ snacking solutions, there is an easy way to develop new products that will appeal to both parents and children.”