Many people will know Danone UK & Ireland for our variety of household brands – from evian and Volvic, to Activia and Actimel. And we’ve recently launched a high protein range of products with our new brand, GetPRO, as well as the latest additions to our range of Alpro plant protein drinks and alternatives to yogurts. But what you may not know about is Danone’s long-term history in protein science. Here, Sophie Bell, Science Communication Manager at Danone UK & Ireland, explains more. 

In the UK & Ireland, Danone has two really important parts to its business. We have our focus on healthy nutrition, which includes our dairy, beverages and plant-based brands. But we also have our specialised nutrition business, where we develop foods suitable for specific nutritional needs at all stages of life. This includes foods for special medical purposes such as the management of allergies or tube feeding, as well as products like follow-on milk for early life nutrition.

To enable us to have such a wide-ranging portfolio, Danone has spent over 120 years pioneering nutritional solutions, including exploring the role that different proteins play in meeting nutritional needs. Our rich history of protein science has enabled us to develop products to meet a broad range of requirements in both health and disease management, from supporting patients with complex allergies or rare metabolic conditions, to enabling everyday consumers to choose products which suit their dietary preferences and lifestyles.

In recent years there’s been an increasing interest in protein and its important health benefits. So, we’ve been busy researching the impact of protein quantity, quality and digestibility, as well as how different protein sources can support muscle protein synthesis. And last year, in the UK and Ireland, we had a new addition to our family of brands – our high-protein range, GetPRO. The range includes thirteen high-protein snacks, including delicious yoghurts, puddings and mousses. It’s actually one of the biggest launches from Danone in the UK in recent years and is designed to support people on their fitness journeys* – whether you’re at the start or a seasoned athlete.

And a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to be able to develop new products. At Danone UK & Ireland we have a large team of nutritionists, registered dietitians, scientists and researchers working across both our healthcare and consumer brands. These experts are involved in every step of the process for the development of new products, from initial insights to spark new innovations, right through to launch. 

One particularly important responsibility for our team of nutritionists is ensuring that our products align with Danone’s nutrition standards. And in the UK & Ireland, we work to ensure products are aligned with our health commitments – including the fact that over 90% of our portfolio by sales volume will not be high in fat, sugar, or salt (HFSS), as defined by UK Government’s current policy and legislation related to HFSS. Of course, GetPRO is no exception – the range of products are high in protein, have no added sugars** and are low in or contain no fat.

GetPRO is on a mission to support people with their fitness journeys* – and that’s what has made it the ideal Official Yoghurt Partner for Team GB as they prepare for the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Whether it’s someone trying their hand out at a new sport, or the Team GB athletes gearing up for competition, GetPRO can help support athletes with their protein needs. So we’re very excited about this partnership and how we can work together to demonstrate the value of protein as a complement to exercise.