Morinaga Milk Achieves Self-Affirmed GRAS Status for LAC-Living+™, Expanding U.S. Opportunities for Its Postbiotic Ingredient

About this update from Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd.

Clinical evidence–backed postbiotic supports mood and well-being with formulation flexibility for diverse applications TOKYO, July 07, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd. (TOKYO:2264), a leading Japanese dairy and functional ingredient company, today announced that it has achieved self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status in the United States for LAC-Living+™ (L. helveticus MCC1848), its proprietary postbiotic ingredient. This milestone expands the commercial availability of LAC-Living+ in the U.S. market and enables its use in dietary supplements, functional foods, and beverages, supporting the development of products designed to address growing consumer demand for health and well-being solutions. Growing Interest in Postbiotics and Mental Well-Being Consumer interest in proactive health management has expanded significantly in recent years, alongside increasing awareness of the connection between the gut and the brain, commonly referred to as the gut–brain axis. As a result, the global functional ingredient market is evolving beyond conventional probiotics to include postbiotics—non-viable microorganisms and/or their components that offer physiological benefits. Postbiotics are gaining attention due to their stability, safety, and ease of formulation, particularly in product formats that are challenging for live microorganisms. These advantages make them an attractive option for manufacturers seeking reliable, science-based ingredients. Morinaga Milk has been at the forefront of postbiotic research and development. In 2018, the company achieved self-affirmed GRAS status for LAC-Shield™ (L. paracasei MCC1849), its first postbiotic ingredient. Building on this experience, LAC-Living+™ represents the company's second postbiotic innovation, developed to address emerging consumer needs in the area of mood and mental well-being. LAC-Living+™: Clinical Evidence Supporting Everyday Well-Being LAC-Living+™ (L. helveticus MCC1848) is a heat-treated postbiotic ingredient developed to combine scientific credibility with formulation flexibility. Its functionality has been evaluated in human clinical studies, which suggest that supplementation with LAC-Living+ may help support mental well-being and quality of life, particularly in individuals experiencing everyday stress. Reported outcomes have included improvements in indicators re...

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