Latvia’s Food Union has expanded its Lakto line with seven new lactose-free yoghurts, investing approximately $95,000 USD. The new range includes the launch of Lakto ProBio, a no-sugar, lactose-free product, in addition to three edible and two drinkable yoghurts. These innovations are part of a broader shift toward healthy, functional dairy products. The products have received the “Nutrition Specialists Recommend” label from the Latvian Association of Diet and Nutrition Specialists.
Food Union, Latvia’s leading dairy processing company, has announced a significant expansion of its Lakto yoghurt line by introducing seven new lactose-free products. The company, known for its commitment to innovation in the dairy sector, has invested approximately $95,000 USD in the development of these new products, responding to the increasing demand for lactose-free options in healthy eating.
The newly expanded Lakto range now includes a variety of functional dairy products featuring the beneficial L.acidophilus LA and Bifidobacterium BB lactic acid bacteria, made from high-quality lactose-free milk. Among these additions is the launch of Lakto ProBio, a new line of yoghurts that are both lactose-free and contain no added sugar. Lakto ProBio comes in two flavors: blueberry, banana, linseed, and oatmeal; and strawberry and mango. These products are packaged in sustainable, fully recyclable PET bottles.
Since 2018, Food Union has been steadily reducing the amount of added sugar in its Lakto products, with its first lactose-free yoghurt, Lakto Imuno, introduced in 2023. This year, with the help of the food technologists at the Center of Excellence for Fresh Dairy Products, Food Union developed its new ProBio line. This innovation caters to a growing consumer demand for healthy, lactose-free, and no-sugar-added products.
Food Union also expanded its range of edible Lakto yoghurts, introducing three lactose-free options in cup form, including natural, raspberry, and wild strawberry flavors. These yoghurts, produced using a unique thermostatic method that ferments the yoghurt directly in the cup, are also available in drinkable form, with flavors such as natural and wild strawberry.
In collaboration with the Latvian Association of Diet and Nutrition Specialists (LDUSA), Food Union has received high praise for the nutritional value of its new products. The LDUSA awarded the first-ever “Nutrition Specialists Recommend” quality label to four Lakto yoghurts, recognizing their role in promoting healthy nutrition. According to Guna Bīlande, board chairperson of LDUSA, “Lakto products follow current trends by offering sugar-free and lactose-free options, making them a great choice for health-conscious consumers.”
Ieva Lejniece, head of marketing and new product development at Food Union, emphasized the significance of this launch for the company and Latvia’s dairy industry.
“Creating these new lactose-free yoghurts is a major step for us, demonstrating our ability to develop world-class healthy products,”
Ieva Lejniece, head of marketing and new product development
The seven new lactose-free Lakto yoghurts are now available in major stores across Latvia, expanding the brand’s total offering to 20 products, with 11 lactose-free options. However, due to their short shelf life of 12 to 27 days, these products are exclusively available within Latvia.
