Yakult Danone India Expands Presence In South India

Online, March 30, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Reinforcing its commitment to the South India market, Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd. announced its expansion in Chennai this week with the launch of Yakult, its globally popular probiotic health drink. Yakult was launched in India in 2007 and is presently available in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Chandigarh and Punjab.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kiyoshi Oike, Managing Director, Yakult Danone India said, "We are delighted to launch Yakult in Chennai, a market with tremendous potential due to high awareness about health foods. The launch is part of our strategy to leverage synergies between demand and our supply, thereby creating greater value for the consumer. Indian consumers are increasingly becoming health conscious and opting for products that provide a health benefit. Our sales in India have also seen a steady growth of 60% year on year. The growing awareness about probiotics among urban population in India encourages Yakult to be represented in all major cities in India. We have established a strong presence in North India and are now focusing on the Southern markets with the aim to educate and propagate the health benefits of probiotics among consumers."

First launched in Japan in 1935, Yakult is the largest selling probiotic drink globally with more than 30 million people consuming it every day across 32 countries. Yakult contains 6.5 billion beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota) in every bottle. These bacteria reach our intestine alive and improve health. Daily consumption of Yakult helps to boost immunity, and aids digestion. Yakult's efficacy has been established through years of research and it has also received the FOSHU label (Food for specified health uses) from Consumer Affairs Agency, Government of Japan.

Yakult can be enjoyed by everyone, young or old, as part of the diet every day. In India Yakult is priced at Rs.50 for a pack of 5 bottles. It is manufactured at a state of the art HACCP and ISO 9001 certified facility at Sonepat, Haryana, near Delhi.

About Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd:

Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd is a 50:50 JV between Danone of France and Yakult Honsha, Japan. The JV was formed in 2005 to manufacture and launch probiotic products in the Indian market. The company pursues it's global mission of contributing to the health and happiness of people around the world, by making people better informed about the positive impact of probiotics on health. Yakult was launched in India in 2007 and is presently available in select cities across India.