Taurine is critical to fetal and infant neural development. Its deficiency may lead to children’s growth retardation, visual damage, epilepsy susceptibility and cardiomyopathy, and also adversely affects adult physical health.
Popular in Europe, America and Japan, taurine application in infant food is strictly standardized. The US and Japan stipulate that infant dairy products shall contain no less than 0.16mg/100mL taurine.
Since the 1970s, Japan has fortified taurine in various foods and mandates its addition for commercial children’s food. 99% of taurine in the US and Japan is applied as a premium food additive.
Fortifying milk and milk powder with taurine can bring their nutrition close to breast milk. It is also an excellent functional additive for special groups to boost physical fitness and eliminate fatigue.
In addition, taurine works as an efficient feed additive, preventing aquatic diseases and brightening pets’ eyesight.
Driven by growing demand for healthy functional foods, food-grade taurine presents huge market potential and promising economic and social benefits.
