FiE show preview: Functional gets fruity
Antioxidants can help reduce the risk of diseases associated with oxidative stress, from heart attacks, strokes, cancer, diabetes, cataracts, arthritis and Parkinson's to Alzheimer's. And few fruits are packed with as many of these free radical-busters as the humble cranberry. Despite rising prices, cranberries remain the superfruit of choice, and are known to be effective in tackling everything from urinary tract infections to gum disease, helicobacter and pathogens such as E. coli and Salmonella.
Ocean Spray's ingredients technology group is hoping to help manufacturers exploit growing awareness of the cranberry's unique qualities with new options to help them incorporate sweetened dried cranberries (SDCs) into a wider range of products from goat's cheese to panettone, salad toppings and even Chinese mooncake.
Ideal for low moisture applications, SDCs do not suffer from moisture and colour bleed, says the firm, which will also be showcasing its BerryFusions Fruits range combining natural fruit flavours and SDCs. Also on show will be high fibre SDCs, which have 50% less sugar.
S Black is hoping to cash in on the superfoods craze with its clean-label fruit and vegetable blends from US firm VDF FutureCeuticals boasting consistently high ORAC (oxygen radical absorption capacity) levels and fully intact whole fruit and vegetable phytochemicals from concentrated freeze dried whole powders.
Equally keen to exploit consumers' love for all things fruity is Taura Natural Ingredients, which is promoting its ultra rapid concentration technology to help fruit ingredients retain their original flavour, colour and nutritional characteristics.
Last but not least is the Wild Blueberry Association of North America (located within the Canadian pavilion at FiE), which will be spreading the word about Canadian wild blueberries.
Loaded with powerful antioxidants, they are available individually quick frozen, canned, dehydrated and sugar infused, puréed, concentrated and powdered.
Among those hoping to exploit the power of plants are Cognis, which is showcasing its Xangold natural lutein esters from marigolds, conjugated linoleic acid from safflowers (See p67) and Vegapure plant sterols and plant sterol esters; and ADM, which is promoting its CardioAid plant sterols and sterol esters, natural source d-alpha vitamin E and soya isoflavones.
Natraceutical Group, meanwhile, is hoping to generate interest with its CocoanOX range of polyphenol-rich cocoa powders and extracts.
Among the many exhibitors keen to get a slice of the beauty foods market is LycoRed, which will be promoting its all natural carotenoids, and DSM Nutritional Products, which will be showcasing its recently launched ALL-Q range containing Co-enzyme Q10 and Vitamin E to protect skin from UV light.
Boning up
Leading the charge of manufacturers offering bone health ingredients is Marigot with the latest addition to its Aquamin range: Aquamin Soluble. A rich source of calcium, magnesium and trace minerals, this can boost mineral content in beverages without sedimentation and cloudiness, claims the firm.
Functional advice
Finally, for manufacturers wondering where to start with functional foods, help is at hand from Cornelius Group, which is launching a new tool kit to assist firms who want to get a slice of the functional foods market, but need expert advice.
