~ HUL’s Horlicks enters adult protein with 24g fermented yeast protein sachets — selling everyday strength, not gym culture ~
Mumbai, September 2026: Horlicks has launched Horlicks Protein Powder, pushing the 100-year nutrition brand past its childhood base into adult lifestyle protein. Each serving delivers 24 g of protein and 4 g of prebiotic fibre in single-serve sachets aimed at work, travel and on-the-go routines — with the platform line “Your Day Is the Real Workout.”
The science story is deliberate. The powder uses fermented yeast protein, pitched as a complete, gut-friendly source with all nine essential amino acids and a finished-product PDCAAS score of 1.0. The formula also adds inulin (prebiotic fibre) and papain (plant digestive enzyme), and is naturally lactose-free. Pack format: 28 sachets in a 1 kg carton — Chocolate, Coffee and Unflavoured — sold across retail and select online platforms in India.
Rajneet Kohli, Executive Director – Foods, Hindustan Unilever Limited, said: “Horlicks has a legacy of over 100 years, built on strong science and nutrition credentials. As we continue to evolve with the changing needs of consumers, protein is a natural extension for the brand. We see an opportunity to make it more relevant and accessible for everyday lifestyles. When we spoke to consumers, one insight that really stood out was that ‘life is a gym’, whether it is rushing through a busy workday, navigating a long commute, carrying groceries or simply keeping up with everything the day demands. This insight led to our larger thought, ‘Your Day Is the Real Workout.’ With Horlicks Protein Powder, our ambition is to make quality protein easier to incorporate into the everyday lifestyles of millions of Indians.”
Sujatha Jayaraman, VP & Head – Foods R&D & Regulatory Affairs, HUL, framed the quality bet: “As consumers become more aware of protein, the conversation also needs to move from simply how much protein a product contains to the quality and completeness of that protein. That thinking shaped the science behind Horlicks Protein Powder.” The marketing job is clearer still — take protein out of the sports-nutrition aisle and into the same trust pocket Horlicks already owns with families, then stretch that equity into adult occasions without sounding like another whey can.
Marketing take: Most protein brands sell the gym. Horlicks is selling the commute, the grocery bag and the long day — using childhood trust to democratise a category still stuck at roughly 3% Indian household penetration.
