Lactic acid bacteria "LAC-Living+" (Lactobacillus helveticus MCC1848 (killed cells)) obtains GRAS self-affirmation in the US

Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd. is pleased to announce that its functional ingredient "LAC-Living+" (Lactobacillus helveticus MCC1848) has obtained GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) self-affirmation.

GRAS is a system required for selling food ingredients in the U.S. market. With this certification, LAC-Living+® can be utilized in a wide range of applications in the U.S. market, including supplements, functional foods, and beverages. Since 2013, we have obtained GRAS for many bacterial cells and functional ingredients, including Bifidobacterium.

In Japan, "LAC-Living+" is sold as "Hapiness Lactic Acid Bacteria®". Regarding "Hapiness Lactic Acid Bacteria®", which we have trademarked, a notification using lactic acid bacteria MCC1848 (L. helveticus strain happiness) as a functional ingredient has been accepted. (Notification date: February 13, 2026, Notification number: K1008). The functional claim is "maintaining a positive mood (liveliness) in situations of temporary mental stress," and this is the first notification to claim the maintenance of a positive mood with lactic acid bacteria alone*1.

Overseas, we have filed and registered the trademark "LAC-Living+" in a wide range of areas and categories. By having our business partners utilize the common name and logo mark*2, we aim to enhance brand value and strengthen our domestic and international competitiveness.

*1: Survey by Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd.

*2: Can be used under certain conditions.

Logo that can be displayed on products containing "Hapiness Lactic Acid Bacteria® (LAC-Living+®)" (image for the Japanese market)

What is "LAC-Living+® (Lactobacillus helveticus MCC1848)"?

It is a lactic acid bacterium reported to maintain a positive mood (liveliness) in situations of temporary mental stress. It has almost no flavor of its own, so it is unlikely to impair the flavor of the products it is incorporated into. As it is a heat-killed cell, it can be incorporated into foods that undergo a heating process.

In Japan, it has been sold in the BtoB channel as "Hapiness Lactic Acid Bacteria" since May 2020 and has been adopted in various foods such as confectionery and beverages. In overseas markets, it has been sold as "LAC-Living+" since December 2025.

One of our group's 10-year vision is to become a global company that demonstrates a unique presence in the world (overseas sales ratio of 15% or more by fiscal year ending March 2029). In the medium-term management plan launched in April this year, we have positioned "domestic and international bacterial cells" as growth areas and aim to double sales in fiscal year ending March 2029 by concentrating management resources. The market for bacterial cell-related products overseas continues to grow against the backdrop of increasing health consciousness, and our bacterial cell sales are steadily expanding, primarily for infant formula and supplement applications. With the acquisition of GRAS self-affirmation for "LAC-Living+", we expect to further expand sales of bacterial cells and contribute to the achievement of our group's 10-year vision.

Microscopic image of LAC-Living+®

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