Ganeden Biotech, a recognized leader in the manufacturing and marketing of probiotics, and Georgia Nut, one of North America’s largest contract manufacturers of confections and snacks, announced a new partnership.

“We are thrilled to embark on this journey with Georgia Nut,” says Joe Bradley, sales director of Ganeden. “With a shared commitment to innovative product development, Georgia Nut and Ganeden will be working together by leveraging the processing and packaging capability of Georgia Nut, and the significant probiotic expertise of Ganeden; to create fresh, on-trend probiotic product concepts, by means of novel delivery systems.”

Officials say healthy snacks are a growing food trend that shows no signs of slowing down. In the United States, snack food sales increased by nearly 30% from 2007-2012, according to Mintel. Snacks were always known to be consumed in-between meals, but now consumer’s busy lifestyles are turning snacks into mini meals that are enjoyed on-the-go.

A recently released report from Neilsen states that global consumers spent $374 billion annually on snack foods between 2013 and 2014; this is a year-over-year increase of 2%; and although this market is highly competitive, products that taste great and offer a health benefit are seeing an instant edge.

“Georgia Nut is truly excited to unite with such a preeminent player in the probiotic industry,” says Kurt Thorsen, Georgia Nut’s vice president of sales and marketing. “We see this alignment as a real value to the industry and our mutual customer base as we collaborate to create innovative, delicious and functional snacks and confections.”

This spring saw Ganeden Biotech use Natural Products Expo West to talk about the two companies’ partnership and sample a Probiotic Breakfast Blend and Probiotic Gems—all formulated with GanedenBC30.

Ganeden Biotech is at the forefront of probiotic research and product development with an extensive library of published studies and more than 100 patents for probiotic technologies in the food, beverage, animal health, and now personal care ingredients markets. Ganeden is best known for GanedenBC30 (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086), its patented, FDA GRAS, highly stable probiotic ingredient.

Ganeden's newest ingredient, Bonicel, is the first science-backed, probiotic-derived, personal care ingredient shown to dramatically reduce signs of aging. For more information about Ganeden Biotech and licensing opportunities visit GanedenBiotech.com.

Georgia Nut Company is a family owned and operated business since 1945 servicing the confectionary industry in contract manufacturing, bulk sales, and specialty food ingredients. With an unrelenting commitment to excellence and a unique approach to innovation and new product development, Georgia Nut has become one of the largest contract manufacturers of confections and snacks in the industry. For more information on the Georgia Nut Company, please visit GeorgiaNutCompany.com.