Frutarom, Tab Labs develop probiotic gum

NORTH BERGEN, N.J. Frutarom and Tab Labs recently collaborated to make the prototype of a probiotic gum featuring BLIS K12, a new oral probiotic bacteria known as an immune system booster. Frutarom and Tab Labs recently introduced the BLIS K12 gum at Supply Side West in Las Vegas.

“Because BLIS K12 is an oral cavity probiotic, it needs to be delivered in a format that has prolonged contact with the mouth, making a chewing gum the perfect delivery system — and more importantly, an immune system booster,” stated Laurent Leduc, VP of Frutarom’s health division. “Chewing BLIS K12 gum increases the probiotic bacteria activity time in the mouth, as compared to a chewable tablet for example, and provides more opportunity for colonization of the K12 bacteria.”

Previously, manufacturers were unable to develop a stable functional gum application due to probiotic bacteria’s sensitivity to heat. Tab Labs has succeeded in developing a proprietary cold-press technology to manufacture functional gums. “As a result, you get a very high survival rate of the K12 bacteria and there is no moisture in the finished product, which further helps to ensure longer shelf life,” said Tom Holtgen, managing director of Tab Labs. “The cold-press technology also allows for full release of the active, immune system booster compounds, unlike other gums which tend to bind.”

The functional gum, designed for adults as well as children, is available in mint and fruit flavors.