Asahi Group’s Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 Wins Functional Ingredient of the Year and Health Innovation Awards at Major International Exhibitions

(Tokyo, Japan - December 16, 2025) - Asahi Group Foods, Ltd. announced today that its proprietary lactic acid bacterium, Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 (L. gasseri CP2305), received awards at two of the world’s leading food ingredient exhibitions.

At Gulfood Manufacturing 2025, held in Dubai from November 3–5, L. gasseri CP2305 won the Functional Ingredient of the Year award. The judges highly evaluated its scientific reliability, broad applicability, and alignment with the needs of today’s health-conscious consumers.

At Food Ingredients Europe 2025, held in Paris from December 2–4, L. gasseri CP2305 received the Health Innovation Award in recognition of its scientifically validated benefits in alleviating daily mental stress, improving sleep quality, and responding to growing consumer interest in intestinal health.

Asahi Group Foods has been selling L. gasseri CP2305 outside the group in the global market since March 2025. Demand for lactic acid bacteria ingredients is forecast to grow in response to rising health awareness and the diversification of food and beverages. Recognition of L. gasseri CP2305’s benefits as a result of receiving the two recent awards is expected to strengthen future sales.

This unique strain of lactic acid bacteria, derived from the Asahi Group beverage Calpis after years of research and used in supplements and beverages sold in Japan by the Asahi Group, has been shown to offer various health benefits. Asahi Group research has demonstrated that L. gasseri CP2305 alleviates mental stress; enhances the depth and quality of sleep; improves the intestinal health; and alleviates mood swings as well as mental fatigue and drowsiness associated with premenstrual phases. Outside of Japan, Asahi Group Foods has signed a supply agreement with ADM WILD Valencia and mainly sells to food manufacturers in North America, Europe and Asia. Final products include supplements and health foods.