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Müller UK & Ireland has acquired UK kefir brand Biotiful Gut Health, as part of its strategy to enter the growing functional health yogurt and drinks market.

Founded in 2012, Biotiful produces a range of kefir and natural gut health products. The brand has seen rapid growth amid rising consumer interest in functional health, a category Müller has not previously operated in.

Biotiful will continue to run as normal following the acquisition. Founder Natasha Bowes will remain involved in an advisory role, while Müller's yogurt and desserts CEO, Richard Williams, will join the leadership team to support the brand’s growth.

Williams said: “Biotiful Gut Health is a business we have long admired: it is one of the fastest growing brands in the sector, has great tasting products and a real focus on consumer and innovation".

He continued: “This is a business which fits really well within our existing portfolio of brands. We are already growing and optimising our range of health and nutrition products and Biotiful Gut Health will really help us expand into new growth areas to meet changing consumer needs."

“We’re confident that our investment in Biotiful will enable the brand to further accelerate its growth potential, benefitting both consumers and our retail partners.”

Bowes added: “Since founding the company 13 years ago, through unwavering focus and dedication to best-in-class innovation and product quality, Biotiful has gone from strength to strength and grown into the successful consumer-centric business it is today.

“I am humbly proud of Biotiful’s major positive impact on the entire category so far, in bringing natural health to the forefront of innovation in yogurts. And I’m especially excited about how this can now be amplified and accelerated through the Müller acquisition, with its breadth and depth of resources and ambition to take natural gut health to the next level.”