Certificates granted to Yili Group. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Yili, a leader in China's dairy industry, achieved dual first-place awards at the 21st Annual Conference of the Chinese Institute of Food Science and Technology on Nov 3 for its significant advancements in probiotic and breast milk research.

Developed in collaboration with the National Dairy Technology Innovation Center and institutions like Northeast Agricultural University, Yili's pioneering probiotic research led to a groundbreaking "Ambient Probiotic Encapsulation" technology. This innovation stabilizes probiotics in ambient conditions and enhances their survival in products, delivering health benefits to consumers. The project, which created a protective microenvironment for probiotics and addressed challenges in heat and acid resistance, is a first in the global dairy industry.

Yili's zero-lactose milk powder caught the attention of attendees at the conference. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Yili's achievements extend to infant nutrition, where they established China's first breast milk research database. Their award-winning study on immune nutrients, including lactoferrin and osteopontin, showed these proteins' vital roles in infant immunity. This research directly informs Yili's Jinlingguan infant formula, which now includes these dual proteins to support immune development.

Yili also launched its zero-lactose milk powder in line with its focus on health. Using a multi-enzyme approach, this lactose-free innovation enhances digestion and combines probiotics for optimal gut health, catering to lactose-intolerant consumers.

These advancements underscore Yili's commitment to driving industry growth through science-led innovation.