HEALTH
A study published in Antioxidants has provided new evidence that a standardized tomato extract, Lycomato (Lycored), can protect the skin from oxidative stress. Researchers in Israel exposed human dermal fibroblasts to oxidative stress, which led to cell death and decreased pro-collagen secretion. However, pre-treatment with Lycomato was found to reverse the effects of oxidative stress. It reduced the rise in MMP-1 secretion, an enzyme responsible for collagen damage, by around 50%, and completely restored pro-collagen secretion.
Positive effects were also observed for pre-treatment with rosemary extract, which decreased MMP-1 secretion and increased pro-collagen secretion to basal levels. Although both Lycomato and rosemary extract delivered significant benefits alone, their effects were heightened when they were combined. The study suggested that supplementation with carotenoids and other phytonutrients in Lycomato can reduce oxidative stress-induced damage, with benefits for skin health and appearance.
SUPPLIER NEWS
Sustainability considerations now influence the majority of the world’s grocery shoppers when they are buying packaged foods such as potato chips and cookies, according to Cargill’s most recent global FATitudes survey. The proprietary research found 55% of consumers indicate they’re more likely to purchase a packaged food item if it includes a sustainability claim, a four-point jump since the company last fielded this research in 2019. The latest global survey, conducted in summer 2021, included approximately 6,000 primary grocery shoppers in 11 countries.
An increased interest in sustainability was the most notable change from the previous survey’s results. More than half of the countries surveyed showed an increase in the influence of sustainability claims. For the first time, the survey also asked consumers what type of sustainability claim they were looking for. “Sustainably sourced” and “conservation of natural resources” topped the list, ranking well ahead of more specific claims such as Fair Trade, reduced packaging, and fair/living wages in almost every country included in the survey.
Cargill already provides sustainable solutions to meet consumer and customer needs for oils—from regenerative agriculture programs for row crop oilseeds to palm oil certified responsibly sourced by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). In the coming year, Cargill will expand its North American portfolio of RSPO-segregated palm oil to include palm stearin and palm olein products. To further ensure a reliable supply of sustainably sourced palm oil, Cargill is investing in a new palm oil refinery in Indonesia and upgrading capabilities at its specialty fats facilities around the globe. In December 2021, Cargill became the first edible oils supplier to commit to removing industrially produced trans fatty acids from its entire global edible oils portfolio.
NEW PRODUCT
DouxMatok, a food tech company with an innovative sugar-based sugar reduction solution, Incredo Sugar, and Blommer Chocolate announced a strategic partnership to produce and sell a portfolio of chocolate products formulated with significantly less sugar than conventional versions. Together, the companies are launching initially with a chocolate-flavored chip, which will be available to the Blommer network of customers in North America. The chocolate-flavored chip boasts a 50% sugar reduction, fewer calories, and higher fiber compared with traditional full-sugar chocolate chips, and tastes just as decadent, the companies say.
Based on real cane sugar, Incredo Sugar is DouxMatok’s flagship product. It improves the efficiency of sugar delivery to the sweet taste receptors and enhances the perception of sweetness, enabling substantial sugar reduction without compromising taste, mouthfeel, or texture.
PRODUCT BRIEFS
INDUSTRY UPDATE
PLT Health Solutions announced that Earthlight Whole Food vitamin D has received approval from the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária), paving the way for this unique dietary ingredient to be used in foods, beverages, and supplements produced and sold in Brazil. In 2020, Earthlight received Novel Foods Approval in Europe and allowance in a broad range of food and beverage categories in the United States via a Food Additive Petition. Earthlight is produced from mushrooms via a patented process by exposing these mushrooms to light. Much like the human body, mushrooms produce vitamin D when exposed to UV light.
IFCO, a provider of reusable packaging containers (RPCs) for fresh grocery products, celebrated its 30th anniversary. In 1992, IFCO pioneered a unique share-reuse-recycle model based on the circular economy. Today, IFCO RPCs are used in more than 1.9 billion shipments of fresh produce every year, reducing waste throughout the supply chain and demonstrating the clear benefit of a consistent, strong commitment to sustainability. One of IFCO’s main targets in the coming years will be supporting businesses in future-proofing their supply chains through digitalization. Not only will IFCO customers be able to track and trace all their RPCs and the produce they carry, but they will also be able to rely on IFCO’s digital platform to gain valuable real-time supply chain insights. As a result of these digitalization efforts, IFCO will drive even more waste out of the fresh grocery supply chain.
Two Barry-Wehmiller Packaging Systems companies based in France, Hema and Synerlink, have aligned to bring complementary rigid packaging solutions to the global food and beverage markets. Hema will bring rotary filling solutions to Synerlink’s equipment portfolio.
The Crespel & Deiters Group, a leading producer of wheat-based solutions, has completed the integration of Extruded Cereal Products B.V. (ECP) into its portfolio. ECP, with a production site in Helmond/Netherlands, is an international pioneer in the extrusion of cereal and protein products for breakfast cereals, sports nutrition, bakery, and convenience products. With this acquisition, the Crespel & Deiters Group is expanding its technological know-how, securing the supply of in-demand ingredients, and adding a further processing step to its comprehensive wheat refinement options.
Rousselot, Darling Ingredients’ health brand, and a global leader in collagen-based solutions, announced an increase in its production capabilities for porcine collagen, responding to rising demand for premium collagen ingredients. The newly opened production line in Ghent, Belgium, will specialize in the manufacture of its collagen peptide brand, Peptan P. This new line complements Rousselot’s existing bovine and fish collagen production capabilities and will improve manufacturers’ access to premium collagen ingredients and speed-to-market capabilities.
AIDP announced the addition of the Ultimine brand of whole food–derived minerals from Cura Global Health. Ultimine is a line of whole food minerals produced from natural fermentation of Koji fungi (Aspergillus oryzae). The minerals, including iron, zinc, and multi minerals, are taken up by the fungus through a patented fermentation and harvesting process to yield highly bioavailable minerals
Blommer Chocolate announced the opening of a new R&D applications lab, located in downtown Chicago in the Merchandise Mart. The new lab is outfitted with two kitchens, one specifically for chocolate and compound work and one for “hot” applications, including baking and frying. The chocolate kitchen opens into a large room, making it perfect for hosting customers for training, ideation, and demonstrations. It is humidity-controlled and contains a variety of small-scale equipment to allow for confectionery work, including moulding and panning.
Gummy supplement manufacturer TopGum Industries has begun construction of a new, $30 million plant south of Tel Aviv. The facility, joining the company’s existing production plant, is expected to be fully operational in mid-2023 and will triple TopGum’s production capacity. Fully equipped with high-precision manufacturing technology adapted to TopGum’s propriety production process, the new facility will include robotics and automated systems throughout the production line, with cutting-edge technology that meets U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Therapeutic Goods Administration regulations.
Innophos has added a new technical application guide to its website. The Chelamax Technical Application Guide is designed to help supplement formulators and manufacturers learn about the Chelamax industry-leading proprietary three-step verification process to confirm full chelation.
The Chelamax Technical Applications Guide offers insights, including the following: physical and chemical properties of Innophos’ most popular Chelamax minerals; an overview of the unique three-step testing process to prove full chelation; and a detailed application selector that allows viewers to explore options such as tablets, capsules, soft gels, gummies, and dry mix beverages.
Roquette highlighted the exceptional properties of peas through the results of a recent DIAAS (Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score) study on its pea protein. Roquette is the first key player in the pea protein market to use this method, recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The nutritional quality of proteins is the combination of two factors that are key in terms of nutrition: the digestibility and the composition in amino acids. The recent study, conducted by the Roquette team in partnership with renowned academic experts from the INRAE, France’s National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment, concluded with a DIAAS score of 100, showing that pea protein offers a balanced amino acid profile and an excellent digestibility that fully responds to consumers’ nutritional needs.
Ingredion announced a new equity investment in InnovoPro, a leading chickpea solutions company. InnovoPro offers chickpea protein products that are sustainable, clean label, and neutral in taste while preserving nutritional value, functionality, and desirable texture.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
ADM revealed seven emerging trends shaping the alternative protein market. The findings, based on research from the company’s proprietary Outside Voice consumer insights platform, revealed what’s next for protein alternatives, which are expected to climb to a staggering $125 billion in sales by 2030.
New products will be heavily influenced by the seven emerging trends:
1) Novel protein sources, from cell-based to fungi to air
2) Fermentation as a service: There’s been growing interest in microbial fermentation as a novel method for developing alternative protein products. Global players like ADM that have expansive fermentation capabilities are exploring new ways to serve food, beverage, and health and wellness brands that are seeking support with downstream processing, lab services, and consulting, among other components essential to food-grade fermentation.
3) Next generation, plant-based, whole-muscle solutions: Options such as chicken breast alternatives are becoming increasingly available to consumers in markets all over the world.
4) Innovation and transparency from seed to fork
5) Moving toward price parity of cultivated meat products
6) Kid-friendly product formats
7) Plant-based versions of traditional, authentic cuisines