Japanese health drink to hit Indian markets next year

Chandigarh, Mar 13 (UNI) A fermented Japanese health drink, 'Yakult', having medicinal qualities, will be available in India by the begining of next year as Yakult Denone India Pvt Ltd will set up its Rs 136 crore milk plant at the Food Park at Rai in Sonipat district.

Yakult Danone India is a joint venture of a Japan based Yakult Honsha Company and Danone Probiotics Pvt Ltd, a Singapore based subsidiary of Danone Group, France.

Yakult Honsha was founded about 70 years ago in Japan by a pioneering scientist Dr Minoru Shirota who was committed to the idea of preventive medicine to avoid sickness. During the course of his research, Dr Shirota cultured a beneficial and powerful bacterium which is now known all over the world as Lactobacillus Casei Strain Shirota.

This bacterium is at the heart of Yakult's business in Japan and 25 other countries all over the world. In its international operations, Yakult has focused on their pillar product called Yakult, containing the Shirota bacterium.

This product is now sold all over the world with an estimated consumption of about 25 million bottles every day.

The company proposes to launch its products by the beginning of next year. The health drink is likely to give a stiff competition to the existing flavoured milk and 'lassi' in the Indian market.

UNI HS PV BS1245