Biotiful Gut Health has a range of kefir and other “natural gut health” products. Credit: Müller UK & Ireland.

Müller has struck a deal to acquire UK kefir products firm Biotiful Gut Health to expand into the “functional health” dairy business.

The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the deal.

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Founded in 2012, Biotiful produces a range of kefir and other “natural gut health” products, Müller said.

Natasha Bowes, Biotiful’s founder and CEO, will support the company in an advisory capacity “to ensure a smooth transition”, the German dairy giant added.

On LinkedIn, Bowes wrote: “Letting go of your 13-year-old ‘baby’ that you have given all you had is a rather bittersweet moment… This relentlessly ambitious Biotiful teenager will now be in the most fertile ecosystem of Müller family, with its immense resources and burning desire to create the strongest possible natural health platform, to work alongside its traditionally fun and engaging brands. The opportunity to accelerate this now across categories and markets is a founder’s dream.

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In a separate statement, Müller, one of the largest dairy companies in the UK, said the acquisition will help the company “to serve more consumer needs across the category”.

“As awareness of the benefits of natural gut health continue to accelerate, the acquisition allows Müller to realise its ambition to expand into the growing functional health yogurt and drinks segment”, the statement added.

Müller Yogurts & Desserts CEO Richard Williams described Biotiful as “a business which fits really well within our existing portfolio of brands”.

He added: “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.”

Müller’s operations in the UK and Ireland include Müller Yogurt & Desserts and Müller Milk & Ingredients, which markets products including fresh milk, powdered milk, cream and butter.

In October, the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) approved Müller’s acquisition of Yew Tree Dairy, a Lancashire-based family-owned dairy company.