August 6, 2024

The only Japanese company that has registered Bifidobacteria

Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis M-63 registeredas a “New Food Ingredient” in China*1
The company’s third bifidobacteria strain to be registered
Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd. is pleased to announce that the company’s unique bifidobacteria strain,
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis M-63 (hereafter B. infantis M-63), has been registered as a New Food
Ingredient in China as of August 5th*1.
Morinaga Milk is the only Japanese company to possess bifidobacteria strains registered as New Food Ingredients inChina. B. infantis M-63 is the third strain to be registered following Bifidobacterium breve M-16V andBifidobacterium longum BB536*2. All three strains are approved for use in foods for infants and toddlers under theage of three.
*1 Source: 关于阿拉伯木聚糖等 8 种“三新食品”的公告 （No. 3, 2024）
Department of Food Safety Standards, Risk Surveillance and Assessment of National Health Commission （August 5, 2024）*2 Source: 关于《可用于食品的菌种名单》和《可用于婴幼儿食品的菌种名单》更新的公告 （No. 4, 2022）
Department of Food Safety Standards, Risk Surveillance and Assessment of National Health Commission （August 25, 2022）

The New Food Ingredient system allows for the selling in China of food ingredients that are not part of the traditional
Chinese diet. Ingredients that may be used in foods for infants and toddlers under the age of three, in particular, mustpossess food properties and satisfy stringent nutrition, health, and safety standards. B. infantis M-63 satisfies thesestandards and has thus been registered on the list of bacteria strains permitted to be used in foods for infants andtoddlers under the age of three. Owing to this registration, the strain can now be manufactured, sold, and used as aningredient in foods for all age groups in China.
One of the visions outlined in the Morinaga Milk Group 10-year Vision is to become “a global company that exerts
a unique presence worldwide” (achieving a Global Business sales ratio of 15% or more within the fiscal year ending
March 2029). To achieve this vision, we are implementing a Global Business strategy to expand the bacteria businessby strengthening collaborations with major milk formula manufacturers and promoting the sales of supplements andother such products in countries around the world.
The Chinese milk formula market accounts for more than 40% of the world’s market*3, and its supplement market isthe second largest in the world, following the United States. Therefore, Chinese and global companies producing
formula milk and supplements are exhibiting a strong interest in Chinese market and ingredients applicable in China.
With its registration, we will aim to further strengthen our bacteria business in the Chinese market and contribute toenhancing people’s health and nutrition.
*3 Source: Survey by Euromonitor International (May 2024), based on retail sales prices

B. infantis M-63 is a type of bifidobacteria (subspecies infantis) that primarily resides in the intestines of infants andtoddlers. Basic and clinical studies have shown that it is highly capable of utilizing human milk oligosaccharides(HMO) present in breast milk and improving the intestinal environment of healthy, full-term infants. Since China
approved the use of HMO in milk formula in October 2023*4, the combined use of B. infantis M-63 and HMO isexpected to effectively support the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria and bring large benefits to the development
and health of infants and toddlers*5. By providing accurate information on its properties and research results toconsumers and partner companies and gaining their understanding, we will aim to expand the use of B. infantis M63 in a wide range of products and promote our sales in China.
*4 Source: National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, No. 8, 2023 (Sept. 22, 2023)*5 Source: Mintel, “HMOs approval in China infant formula is a game changer” (March. 2024)<Bifidobacteria registered as New Food Ingredients>
StrainBifidobacterium breve M-16V
Registered name: 短双歧杆菌 M-16V
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BB536
Registered name: 长双歧杆菌长亚种 BB536
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis M-63
Registered name: 長双歧桿菌嬰児亜種 M-63

Registration date
2016
2022
2024

* All three strains are approved for use in foods for infants and toddlers under the age of three.

<Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis M-63><About bifidobacteria>
Bifidobacteria primarily reside in the intestines of humans and animals and help improve the intestinal environment
by producing organic acids such as acetic acid and lactic acid. Lactic acid is widely known as an ingredient needed
to make yogurt. However, not all yogurt products contain the beneficial bacteria bifidobacteria. Yogurt products
containing bifidobacteria are made by artificially adding the bacteria. Bifidobacteria are representative of beneficial
bacteria that benefit human and animal health.
<Morinaga Milk’s bifidobacteria research>Morinaga Milk discovered Bifidobacterium longum BB536 in infants in 1969 and has since been engaging in studiesof bifidobacteria and intestinal flora for more than half a century. The company leads the world in the number ofpublished clinical research papers related to bifidobacteria in humans*6.
*6

According to investigations by KnowledgeWire, as of January 2024. (No. 1 in the world for corporation-submitted numbers of research articles on
PubMed and the Ichushi WEB database (JAMAS))

Contact Information
Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd.
Investor& Public Relations Department

Mitsunori Watanabe / Kazuaki Kajikawa

International Division

Junichi Minami / Chyn Boon Wong

E-mail:interntl-pr@morinagamilk.co.jp

Morinaga Milk website:

https://www.morinagamilk.co.jp/english/

Morinaga Probiotics Center website:

https://morinagamilk-ingredients.com/

Morinaga Probiotics Center LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/morinaga-probiotics-center

Disclaimer: This English translation is provided for the benefit of readers. In the case that discrepancies exist between the original Japanese version andthe English translation, precedence goes to the original Japanese version.