Help for the Lactose Intolerant
The May issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that the symptoms associated with lactose intolerance can be eliminated or significantly reduced by drinking kefir. A fermented milk with a slightly effervescent taste, kefir has the consistency of a smoothie. It is believed that live cultures in the drink help the body digest lactose, with less flatulence than milk or yogurt. Flatulence is the symptom most often associated with lactose intolerance.The study was conducted by Steven R. Hertzler, assistant professor in the Medical Dietetics Division of the School of Allied Medical Professions, at The Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio), and S.M. Clancy, a clinical dietician at the Toledo Hospital in Toledo, Ohio. They theorize kefir may be easier on the digestive system because it contains more microorganisms than yogurt.
The study was funded by Lifeway Foods Inc. (Morton Grove, Ill.), a manufacturer of cultured, probiotic and functional foods.
Natural Soy Drink Flavors
A line of natural flavors for soy beverages provides enhanced mouthfeel and a pleasant taste when added to finished, sweetened soy beverages. Almond butter, strawberry, raspberry, caramel, chocolate, cream, honey, maple, coffee, butter pecan and peanut are just a sampling of the flavors available from GSB Flavor Creators. The company also offers a neutral masking agent that subdues the “bean-like” flavor of many soy beverages. All are natural, as well as kosher certified. GSB specializes in custom creation of flavors to suit customer needs. GSB Flavor Creators, 770-424-1886,sales@gsbflavorcreators.comDo You Yuzu?
Yuzu, or Citrus junos sieb. ex Tanaka, is originally from China and belongs to the family of rhombic plants whose fruit are considered citrus fruit. Yuzu's enchanting sunny flavor profile combines the best of grapefruit, tangerine and lemon to provide an unforgettable experience for the taste buds.Its balanced, fresh taste profile is excellently suited for use in beverages of the “near water” kind (i.e., clear, still and refreshing drinks slightly sweetened with fructose), fruit juices or ice teas. Applied in sour milk products such as yogurts or yogurt drinks as well as in confectionery, e.g., in hard candy, toffee or chewing gum, the yuzu flavor proves to be fresh and juicy.
A traditional citrus fruit in Asian countries, thanks to its highly interesting taste profile, Yuzu should become popular in Europe and in America as well. Emil Flachsmann AG, Susanne Fässler, +41 (0) 1 782 64 64, sales@flachsmann.com, www.flachsmann.com
Shelf Stable Vegetable Concentrates
Items that must be refrigerated during storage cost more and require more care during distribution. To address these cost and handling issues, a new line of shelf stable, highly concentrated sautéed vegetable pastes is now available from Nikken Foods Co. The company's new Sautéed Onion Paste, Sautéed Minced Onion Paste and Sautéed Garlic Paste all are room temperature and shelf stable. They are fully sterilized and manufactured according to the company's strict quality standards. The concentrates have a consistently clean, non-salty taste and aroma, and should be refrigerated immediately upon opening. Unopened products have a shelflife of about 12 months, and samples are available. Nikken Foods Co., Herb Bench, 502-292-3285
Better Pizzas
A value-added lecithin, Precept 8160 from Central Soya improves self-rising pizza at no additional cost in preparation. The product improves the chewiness and softness of the crust, reduces dough stickiness during processing and reduces crust sogginess from the sauce and toppings. Precept 8160 replaces other emulsifiers, resulting in no additional increase in ingredient cost, and it also helps simplify the ingredient label. Additionally, the product helps reduce downtime by keeping the dough from sticking to a pan or belt. It comes in a free-flowing powder, has a low odor profile and creates minimal dust. Central Soya, 260-425-5826Rich Color, Bland Flavor
Using a proprietary manufacturing technology, Sethness Caramel Color has announced a new “plain” caramel color specification that features a bland flavor profile as well as a rich, golden tone. SC105 duplicates special Oriental “sugar caramels” and is soluble in salt solutions of up to 25% saline concentration.
Until recently, this specialty caramel color was primarily made in the Far East, where traditional labor-intensive techniques are used. The company's ability to commercialize the process has resulted in volume production of the unique caramel color, with no ammonium or sulfite compounds used in its manufacture. It is ideal for use in applications where plain caramel color, mild flavor profile, rich golden color and/or high-salt solubility are desirable. Sethness Caramel Color, 888-772-1880, mail@sethness.com
New Flavors
Several new flavors have been introduced by Virginia Dare and can be used in wellness foods, dairy products and beverages. Other applications include nutritional bars, ice cream treats or flavored teas. Whatever the flavor needed, this company's technical personnel are available to help manufacturers address and understand development and regulatory issues. Virginia Dare is a leading manufacturer of vanilla, tea, coffee and cocoa extracts, and also offers a broad assortment of flavors and masking agents for many food and beverage applications. Virginia Dare, 718-788-1776,www.virginiadare.com
Allergen-Free, Roasted Vegetable Flavors
A line of roasted vegetable flavors containing no peanut or sesame-derived ingredients is available from WILD Flavors Inc. The vegetables include: roasted onion, roasted red onion, roasted garlic, roasted red bell pepper, roasted green chili, roasted green bell pepper, roasted mushroom, roasted porcini mushroom, and sautéed porcini mushroom. Each flavor can deliver a unique profile for applications in culinary, bakery and snack products, while helping customers avoid allergy concerns. WILD Flavors Inc., Donna Hansee, 859-342-3526,dhansee@wildflavors.com
Help for Fruit Juice/Cider Producers
A technical bulletin titled “The Use of Enzymes in Fruit Juice and Cider Processing” (Technical Bulletin TB111) is available to help fruit juice and cider manufacturers with their enzyme needs. The publication will help manufacturers understand which enzymes are suitable for a particular process, and it also features a useful problem-solving box that imparts practical advice. Readers should benefit from knowing, for example, which enzymes are best used for liquefaction, maceration, starch removal, cell wall digestion or oxygen removal. Biocatalysts Ltd., +44 (0) 1443 843 712,sales@biocats.com,www.biocatalysts.comTropical Mango Flavor
Tapping into the trend of tropical flavors, Robertet Flavors Inc. has introduced a mango flavor. The new addition has a rich flavor profile, combining peach, pineapple and spice notes with a flowery aroma. The flavor instantly adds a dash of island paradise to foods such as beverages, yogurts, syrups, ice cream and sorbets. Robertet Flavors, Gretchen Schleck, 732-981-8300Handbook Available
The National Center for Food Safety and Technology (NCFST) recently has published of “The Guidelines for Production of Ultra-Pasteurized Extended Shelf Life Dairy Products,” and it is now available for purchase. The report is the result of a task force initiative, comprised of industry, government and academia, with over 60 organizations represented. NCFST, Jena Nylec, 708-563-8162,ncfst@iit.edu
Baby Fat
A new fat ingredient especially designed to bring infant formulas one step closer to human milk composition has been launched by Enzymotec. When incorporated into infant formulas, InFat will increase the baby's energy and calcium intake.InFat is an exclusive oil with a specific triglyceride composition, designed to have a higher palmitic acid content at the correct position within the triglyceride molecules. Up to 90% of the total palmitic acid in InFat is located at the beta (middle or 2) position within the triglyceride. The high palmitic concentration offers not just better nutrition for babies but also greater flexibility when blending with complementary oils. InFat can also be used in other baby foods or adult products—from dairy desserts to cereal bars.
In addition to InFat, the company has recently launched SharpPS, an exclusive grade of high quality phosphatidylserine (PS) for brain health, and MultOil, a line of multi-functional oils, based on natural oils enriched with phytosterols-esters and DAG. Enzymotec, Iris Bendek, +972-4-6545112, info@enzymotec.com, www.enzymotec.com
A Selection of Starches
A line of modified food starches designed to provide viscosity without heating or cooking is available under Grain Processing Corporation's (GPC) INSCOSITY® brand. The starches are easy to disperse and are freeze-thaw and steam table stable, and provide a smooth appearance with surface sheen and clarity. Applications include frozen bakery cakes, muffins and cookies, frostings and glazes and hot and cold water-dispersible beverages. It allows the reduction of gums, hydrocolloids and tomato and fruit solids.
The company's PURE-COTE® starches are used for texture optimization and film-forming for applications in bakery, snacks and confectionery products. The functional PURE-GEL® line of starches is used for meat, poultry, sauces and dairy applications; and PURE-DENT® B730 is an effective tool in carrying difficult ingredients into dry blends. MALTRIN® maltodextrins and corn syrup solids can be used for uniformity in spray drying, blending and nutritional products. Grain Processing Corporation, 563-264-4265, sales@grainprocessing.com
Conference on Health Claims
The Conference and Training Department of Leatherhead Food International in the U.K. will host the conference “European Health Claims Forum 2003,” to be held on September 18 and 19 this year at the Park Hotel in Amsterdam.
Following the release of a draft proposal for an EC regulation on nutrition and health claims, the conference will give delegates a clear understanding of the opportunities and restrictions presented to marketers of foods and supplements. Leatherhead Food International, conferences@leatherheadfood.com,
www.healthclaimsforum.com
Brazilian Prize Winner
Fortitech South America, part of the global network of international companies of Fortitech Inc., has been awarded the Brazil Premium prize for its custom premixes for human nutrition. The prize is awarded to companies with products and services that demonstrate superior quality and performance.The premixes were rated using a number of guidelines, including extensive technological evaluations. Companies that win the prize can display the Brazil Premium quality stamp on their products.
The company makes custom nutritional premixes used in products ranging from medical foods and baby formulas to supplements. The products all adhere to strict GMPs and stringent potency and consistency standards. Recently, the company was re-certified ISO 9001:2000.
Free Online Nutrition Database
Want to know the number of calories in an item? Its carbohydrate content? Its sodium content? The vitamins and minerals it contains? Formulators who want nutritional information can quickly retrieve it by accessing the database found atwww.NutritionData.com.The website offers detailed nutritional information on most foods, broken down by the way they are cooked and presented. NutritionData claims to maintain a food database larger than the USDA's, and includes online tools that help formulators analyze recipes and generate custom nutrition facts labels. These services are free of charge.
Of special interest are the nutritional breakdowns of fast foods, listed by restaurant name. The list will be expanding in the near future.
Functional Ingredients
Learn how this company can help manufacturers improve the nutritional profiles of their products and meet consumer demand for healthier, great-tasting foods and beverages.Litesse®, Lactitol, and Xylitol, from Danisco Sweeteners, provide the ability to reduce sugar, fat, calories, lower glycemic load, increase fiber content and protect teeth, all while improving flavor, texture and mouthfeel.
Sugar-free, low-calorie ingredients can help with weight management. Prebiotic- and fiber-enriched ingredients improve digestive health. Low-glycemic ingredients are suitable for people who follow low-carb diets and who want to control their blood sugar levels, including diabetics. Cariostatic sugar replacers are safe for teeth and promote oral health. Danisco Sweeteners, Donna Brooks, 800-255-6837, ext.2521, donna.brooks@danisco.com, www.danisco.com/sweeteners.
