TOKYO — Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd. (TOKYO:2264), one of Japan’s leading dairy and functional ingredient manufacturers, has announced that its proprietary postbiotic ingredient, LAC-Living+™ (Lactobacillus helveticus MCC1848), has achieved self-affirmed Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status in the United States. The designation marks an important milestone for the company’s expanding portfolio of microbiome-based functional ingredients and clears the way for broader commercialization of LAC-Living+™ across the U.S. dietary supplement, food, and beverage industries.
The achievement allows manufacturers in the United States to incorporate the ingredient into a diverse range of consumer products, including dietary supplements, functional beverages, dairy foods, nutrition powders, gummies, snack bars, and other health-focused formulations. The approval comes at a time when demand for science-backed ingredients supporting mental wellness, gut health, and overall well-being continues to rise among consumers seeking proactive health solutions.
Expanding the Role of Postbiotics in Functional Nutrition
The global functional food and ingredient market has experienced significant growth in recent years as consumers increasingly prioritize preventive health and wellness. While probiotics have long dominated the microbiome health category, growing scientific understanding of the gut–brain axis has accelerated interest in postbiotics—non-living microorganisms and their beneficial cellular components that deliver physiological benefits without requiring live bacteria.
Unlike probiotics, which depend on maintaining viable microorganisms throughout manufacturing, storage, and consumption, postbiotics offer several formulation advantages. Their non-viable nature makes them more stable under challenging production conditions, including exposure to heat, humidity, and extended storage periods. These characteristics simplify manufacturing processes while helping ensure product consistency and efficacy across various delivery formats.
As consumer awareness of mental health, digestive wellness, and immune support continues to expand, ingredient developers are increasingly exploring postbiotics as versatile solutions capable of supporting next-generation functional foods and beverages.
Morinaga Milk has positioned itself as one of the industry’s pioneers in postbiotic research, investing heavily in scientific studies and ingredient innovation over the past decade.
Building on an Established Postbiotic Portfolio
The newly achieved GRAS status for LAC-Living+™ follows Morinaga Milk’s earlier success with LAC-Shield™ (Lactobacillus paracasei MCC1849), which received self-affirmed GRAS recognition in 2018. That earlier milestone helped establish the company’s presence in the growing postbiotic market and demonstrated its commitment to developing scientifically validated ingredients for global food manufacturers.
With LAC-Living+™, Morinaga Milk expands its portfolio beyond immune-support applications to address one of today’s fastest-growing areas of consumer interest—mental well-being.
The company believes this second-generation postbiotic ingredient will enable food and supplement manufacturers to develop innovative products targeting everyday stress management, emotional wellness, and quality of life while leveraging the technical benefits associated with postbiotic formulations.
Scientific Research Supports Mental Wellness Benefits
LAC-Living+™ consists of heat-treated Lactobacillus helveticus MCC1848, a carefully selected bacterial strain that has undergone extensive scientific evaluation.
According to Morinaga Milk, multiple human clinical studies have investigated the ingredient’s effects on mental well-being. Research findings indicate that regular supplementation with LAC-Living+™ may help support psychological wellness, particularly among individuals experiencing routine daily stress.
Study participants reportedly demonstrated improvements in measures associated with mood, emotional state, and overall quality of life. These findings provide a scientific foundation for incorporating the ingredient into products designed to promote mental wellness and everyday resilience.
The research aligns with growing evidence surrounding the gut–brain axis—a complex communication network linking the gastrointestinal system and the central nervous system. Scientists continue to investigate how the gut microbiome influences cognitive function, emotional health, stress response, and overall neurological well-being.
Although research in this field remains ongoing, microbiome-targeted ingredients such as postbiotics are increasingly attracting attention from researchers, healthcare professionals, and product developers seeking comprehensive approaches to health that integrate both physical and mental wellness.
Recognition Under Japan’s Functional Food System
Beyond its U.S. milestone, LAC-Living+™ has already gained regulatory recognition in Japan.
The ingredient has been accepted under Japan’s Foods with Function Claims (FFC) system as a functional ingredient. Within that framework, L. helveticus MCC1848 has been recognized for helping maintain a positive mood and vitality during periods of temporary mental stress.
The acceptance under Japan’s FFC system adds further credibility to Morinaga Milk’s scientific research and demonstrates the company’s long-term commitment to validating the health benefits of its proprietary ingredients through clinical investigation.
The combination of Japanese functional food recognition and U.S. self-affirmed GRAS status strengthens the ingredient’s international commercial potential as consumer demand for mental wellness products continues to accelerate worldwide.
Formulation Flexibility Across Multiple Product Categories
One of LAC-Living+™’s key advantages lies in its exceptional formulation flexibility.
Because the ingredient is heat-treated and non-viable, it remains stable throughout manufacturing processes that would typically reduce the effectiveness of live probiotic cultures. It can withstand elevated temperatures, moisture exposure, and long shelf-life conditions without requiring specialized handling or refrigerated distribution.
These characteristics enable manufacturers to incorporate the ingredient into a broad spectrum of product formats while maintaining product quality and manufacturing efficiency.
Potential applications include:
- Ready-to-drink functional beverages
- Dairy products
- Nutritional powders
- Gummies
- Snack and nutrition bars
- Dietary supplements
- Functional foods
- Shelf-stable beverage formulations
This versatility provides product developers with greater freedom to formulate innovative consumer products without many of the logistical challenges associated with live probiotic ingredients.
As the functional food industry continues introducing convenient, on-the-go nutrition options, ingredient stability has become an increasingly important factor for manufacturers seeking reliable and scalable solutions.
Meeting Growing Consumer Demand for Mental Wellness Products
Consumer interest in mental health support has become one of the strongest drivers within the functional nutrition industry.
Increasing awareness of stress management, emotional well-being, sleep quality, and overall mental resilience has prompted food and supplement companies to develop products offering scientifically supported wellness benefits beyond traditional nutrition.
Ingredients supported by clinical evidence are becoming increasingly valuable as consumers seek products with demonstrated efficacy rather than general wellness claims.
Morinaga Milk believes LAC-Living+™ addresses this evolving demand by combining scientific validation with practical formulation advantages, enabling manufacturers to create products that appeal to health-conscious consumers looking for convenient daily wellness solutions.
Company Highlights Strategic Importance of U.S. Expansion
Masashi Kamiya, General Manager of the Functional Food Ingredients Division at Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd., described the achievement as an important milestone for the company’s growing postbiotic business.
He noted that obtaining self-affirmed GRAS status for LAC-Living+™ significantly strengthens the company’s postbiotic ingredient portfolio while opening new commercial opportunities in the United States.
According to Kamiya, increasing consumer interest in mental well-being and convenient health-support products creates strong market potential for ingredients like LAC-Living+™, enabling Morinaga Milk to collaborate with food, beverage, and supplement manufacturers developing innovative wellness-focused products for changing consumer preferences.
Continuing Investment in Functional Ingredient Innovation
Morinaga Milk states that it remains committed to expanding its research into microbiome science and functional nutrition while developing ingredients supported by robust scientific evidence.
The company continues investing in clinical research, product innovation, and international market expansion to strengthen its position within the rapidly evolving functional ingredient sector.
With self-affirmed GRAS status now secured for LAC-Living+™, Morinaga Milk is well positioned to accelerate partnerships with U.S. manufacturers seeking stable, science-backed postbiotic ingredients for next-generation health products. The milestone reflects the company’s broader strategy of delivering safe, research-driven, and formulation-friendly ingredients that help food and beverage companies meet growing consumer demand for holistic wellness solutions centered on both physical and mental health.
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