Yakult introduces dairy-free product in Europe

EUROPE – Yakult has introduced its latest Vitals, which is dairy-free, dropping its patented Lactobacillus strain for the first time since the brand’s entry into Europe.

The Japanese probiotic brand, launched 90 years ago, first brought its fermented Lactobacillus gut-health drink to Europe 30 years ago and has now launched a soy-based drink, Vitals.

The Yakult Light (2002) launch was a major early extension, followed by gradual functional updates through the ‘Plus’ range in the 2010s.

This changed in 2024 with the launch of Yakult Plus Peach, the brand’s first significant flavour innovation in Europe in over 20 years.

Now, the new fruit-based health drink is offered as a 200 ml carton rather than the classic 65 ml bottle, and is built around vitamins and minerals rather than live probiotic bacteria.

The product offers broad wellness benefits, with vitamin D supporting the immune system, calcium supporting digestive function, magnesium supporting energy levels, and zinc supporting cognitive function.

Vitals, which is enriched with vitamin D, calcium, magnesium and zinc, is designed to support the immune system and digestion.

Dr. Kate Synnott, Corporate Communications Manager at Yakult Europe, said Vitals is part of a plan to grow Yakult’s product range, and while new products will still focus on gut health, they are designed to appeal to new groups of consumers.

“Gut health is still at the core of what Yakult aims to deliver as a brand,” she told NutraIngredients. “But consumer awareness and scientific research about gut health and its impact on other aspects of overall health are expanding beyond digestive health and immunity.”

Since establishing European production in 1994 and launching in the UK in 1996, Yakult has largely relied on a single core product strategy, building the category around its original probiotic drink.

The Europe dairy alternatives market reached an estimated value of $5.52 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.4% from 2024 to 2030, according to data from Grand View Research.

And as consumers actively choose dairy alternatives, manufacturers like Yakult are developing new products to meet evolving consumer preferences.

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