Omega-3 drinkable yoghurt arrives in China

China's first drinkable yoghurt product, containing MEG-3 fish oil, is currently rolling out, and has received strong endorsement from the Guadong Dairy Association.

OMU brand drinkable yoghurt is being introduced by Canton American Flower Lounge Livestock Company (CAFL), a subsidiary of Lark International Dairy Holdings. It contains Ocean Nutrition Canada's MEG-3 brand omega-3 fish oil, which uses a double shell protection micro-encapsulation technology called Powder-loc.

This technology protects the oil from oxidisation, which can result in the product being tainted with a fishy taste or smell. The product packaging is co-branded with the MEG-3 brand logo.

The yoghurt product was unveiled at a press conference in May timed to coincide with CAFL's 20th anniversary, at which it was also named '2006 Recommended Product' by the Guadong Dairy Association.

Of the recommendation, Ocean Nutrition EVP of global marketing Ian Lucas said: "This demonstrates that adding EPA and DHA from MEG-3 brand ingredients can create a competitive advantage for food products like OMU drinkable yoghurt."

According to Ocean Nutrition, Powder-loc has been applied to 10 different types of food applications in 12 countries around the world. Lark Dairies launched a MEG-3 fortified version of its Trappist Brand Milk in Hong Kong last year, and in the post launch period said it was out-selling its regular milk by 2 to 1.