When it comes to plant-based meat alternatives, consumers today have two requests: deliver a better meat-like eating experience, and do it with simpler, more recognizable ingredients. In this webinar with Food Ingredients First and Innova Market Insights, we talk about the latest plant-based meat alternatives market trends, global consumers’ needs and preferences and provide an overview of nature-based ingredient solutions available to help you formulate for success.
If you’ve been having difficulty finding starch, you are not alone. Between agriculture woes, energy costs, skyrocketing prices and other issues affecting producers, it may take a while for the market to correct and meet demand.
In food and beverage applications, starch is relied on for thickening, water-holding or moisture control, texture and mouthfeel in recipes. Without it, sauces separate, plant-based burger alternatives crumble, and syneresis occurs in yogurts and beverages. Replacing this workhorse ingredient can be a challenge but it is possible. In fact, your quest to find a starch alternative may have a silver lining. It could be an opportunity to find an ingredient that
NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber is upcycled from sustainably sourced citrus peels, a byproduct of the juice industry near our plant in Brazil. With an abundant, nature-based raw material supply at the ready, we are well-positioned to help assuage any recipe challenges.
GENU® Pectin, with its unique properties, is also a potential alternative to starch. It offers thickening, gelling and stabilizing properties for a wide range of food and beverage products. For example, it has great setting properties for jams and jellies, and helps stabilize bakery fillings.
In dairy, pectin ensures high-protein drinks are stable and thickens yogurt, all while providing superior flavor release and mouthfeel. As the world’s leading pectin producer, with 90 years of experience, we are passionate about this nature-based ingredient and can help you with any application challenges.
Note: The ability to replace starch completely or partially is dependent on recipe, process and desired sensory profile.
NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber is considered a food ingredient and can be listed as citrus fiber on the label.
*The standard of identity may vary in different countries.
Ask us about ingredient grades that can help you reduce or replace starch in your application. Our team of technical experts is happy to work with you to find the right ingredients to meet your product development needs. For more ideas on how to meet your unique goals, contact our team of ingredient enthusiasts.
As more flexitarian consumers embrace plant-based products, we see that their purchases are a conscious choice. Consumers could choose meat or dairy, but they do not. They choose based on innovation, sustainability, nutrition and indulgence – and they do not want to compromise on quality. But what makes a product more indulgent?
In dairy alternatives, indulgence is often associated with creaminess and richness. In meat alternatives, it can mean juiciness and an eating experience that closely resembles eating meat. Texture and mouthfeel are the deciding factors when it comes to indulgence.
Yogurt alternatives have become a popular protein snack for all ages. There are a variety of format options to suit consumers’ every need, from drinking yogurt alternatives to spoonable yogurt alternatives and ambient yogurt alternatives. And there are a variety of plant proteins to work with as well: almond, oat, coconut, pea and blends. Whatever option you choose, consumers expect it to have all the great qualities of dairy – the same rich mouthfeel, texture, creaminess and appearance.
Textural challenges can arise from the absence of milkfat and casein as well as the hydration properties of different plant protein. Earthy or beany notes in your protein choice can also impact flavor. The secret to achieving success in plant-based yogurt alternatives is choosing the right stabilizer system. In addition to contributing to texture, body and mouthfeel, it can help solve the most common challenges in both stirred and sippable formulations: syneresis control, suspension of insoluble particles and protein protection.
In the ever-expanding and very competitive dairy alternative beverages market, texture and mouthfeel are what can drive loyalty. However, preferences are often decided by region and can vary from thin and silky to full-bodied richness. A nature-based stabilizer can help you tailor the mouthfeel of your beverage so it tastes more indulgent, provide stability, and enhance the suspension of nutrients or cocoa.
From creaming and phase separation to viscosity, CP Kelco has the nature-based ingredients to solve any plant protein challenges and complement your formulation. And yes, it is possible to find a single-ingredient solution that can do the work of two. It can even provide a bit of cost savings by solving suspension and mouthfeel in one as you work towards cleaner label goals. After all, a long list of unrecognizable ingredients on the label may not match consumers’ perceptions.
The plant-based protein advances in this category are happening at a rapid pace. However, getting plant protein to behave like animal protein texture is still difficult because it does not have the bite or chewiness of meat. For the first generation of meat alternatives, products were developed to replicate meat in order to appeal to flexitarians. However, it usually took a long and complex ingredient list to achieve this. For example, methylcellulose became a common binder, forming a firm gel when heated and helping to provide a firm bite to replicate the look and texture of meat.
The next generation of meat alternatives is about finding an indulgent, meat-like eating experience but with a more recognizable ingredient list. That means enhancing juiciness and texture, as well as finding clean label-friendly alternatives to methylcellulose.
Let us help you find the best solution to meet your plant protein challenges and deliver more indulgent texture. Our unique portfolio is derived from renewable raw materials to preserve nature’s amazing functionality. Contact us for more information.
ATLANTA, August
9, 2022 – Work is progressing on our product line extension for NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber in Matao, Brazil. The new build is well underway and expected to increase our total production capacity to nearly 5,000 metric tons, with options to further expand capacity as needed in the future.
With global demand on the rise and limitless market potential, NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber is definitely growing in its appeal. A renewed focus on healthier eating habits is driving the search for functional, nature-based ingredients. NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber was developed specifically to help formulators meet consumer demand for foods and beverages with less sugar and less fat, as well as simpler, easily recognizable ingredients.
NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber is upcycled from citrus peels, an abundant byproduct of the juice industry that populates the region where our plant is strategically located. With this great local source of raw materials at the ready, we are well-positioned to help formulators innovate a wide range of clean label-friendly products – from dairy and dairy alternatives to beverages, condiments, sauces, bakery, fruit-based applications, meats and plant-based meat alternatives.
“With the sheer scale of this project and ample capacity we are adding, CP Kelco is positioned to be the world leader in citrus fiber production.”
-Didier Viala, President
CP Kelco’s award-winning Matão facility is known for its commitment to sustainability. According to William Letsinger, Senior Director of Strategy, the product line extension is being developed with the most efficient technologies to meet water, energy and emissions reduction goals, while also creating employment opportunities to help the local community. Our production of citrus fiber includes a proprietary and patented peel wash process, which drastically reduces the need for fresh water compared to traditional peel washing while also retaining a high level of pectin and soluble fiber. The project is scheduled for completion in Q3 of 2023.
Especially A-Peeling Facts about NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber
It all starts with an abundant supply of sustainably sourced citrus peels, a byproduct of the juice industry. Citrus peels have a high pectin content. In addition, this novel composition of soluble and insoluble fiber has excellent water-holding capacity. It’s a win-win for consumers and formulators alike.
NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber was developed to support your clean label goals:
*National labeling requirements should be considered in the country of use
NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber supports water-holding, texture, mouthfeel enhancement, emulsion stabilization and syneresis control in a wide range of applications and can be used in combination with other CP Kelco portfolio offerings. See how we can help you create consistent emulsion stability by viewing our prototype video for a low-fat, vegan mayonnaise-like dressing here.
NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber is compatible with standard manufacturing processes. Enjoy this prototype video for a refreshing mango-flavored drink to see how easy it is to activate with a low use level. We also invite you to join us at one of our innovation labs to discover more of our amazing prototypes.
Consumers want products that are not only good for you but good for the environment too. CP Kelco strives to be a sustainable partner in your supply chain. See the steps we are taking to live up to our commitment.
Want more details about NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber for your applications? Find out if this ingredient or another great solution from our nature-based portfolio is right for you.
The global market for burger and sausage alternatives has been experiencing tremendous growth – and is still expected to climb as more flexitarians embrace plant-based protein. However, CP Kelco has identified two trends that could impact success:
Source: Innova Market Insights
With these trends in mind, CP Kelco developed a nature-based portfolio of ingredient solutions to help formulators
GENU® Texturizer MA-1 is a dual-function solution comprised of methylcellulose and carrageenan. It is a highly effective and well-known gel at hot temperature. It provides cohesiveness and the addition of cold bite for easier cutting ability under cool conditions. For example, this would give manufacturers the opportunity to expand into sausage alternatives that can be enjoyed on a charcuterie board under cool conditions. It can be used with current equipment for ease and is less sticky than methylcellulose alone.
For those looking for an alternative to methylcellulose, CP Kelco offers KELCOGEL® MA-60 Gellan Gum. A soluble fiber produced by fermentation, this multifunctional ingredient provides hot bite and a meat-like texture. It is extremely easy to use with improved dough rheology. Of course, gellan gum is already known as a go-to ingredient for solving plant-based protein challenges.
For extra juiciness during the eating experience, GENU® Pectin MA-50 can be used in combination with KELCOGEL® MA-60 Gellan Gum. This clean label-friendly ingredient is sourced from citrus peels, a byproduct of the juice industry. When used with gellan gum, it delivers an optimal hot bite for a complete methylcellulose alternative solution.
NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber boost is a clean label-friendly and easily recognizable food ingredient that can enable starch substitution and stabilize emulsions. A fiber ingredient, it is made from sustainably sourced citrus peels, an abundant byproduct of the juice industry. NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber boost supports dietary fiber intake and provides unique water holding capacity to increase cooking yield and juiciness. It supports meat-like texture for plant-based meat alternatives that appeal to the senses. Labeled as ‘citrus fiber,’ it also does not require an E number in Europe.
For tips and recipe cards to inspire your plant-based formulations, contact us.
ATLANTA, March 21, 2022 – CP Kelco, a leading nature-based ingredient solutions company, and food ingredient startup Shiru, Inc. today announced a new partnership to accelerate the transition to a sustainable food system through the discovery and development of next-generation, plant-based proteins using precision fermentation technology.
Shiru’s discovery platform Flourish™ uses computational biology to interrogate their proprietary database of hundreds of millions of proteins to find the best functional ingredients for every food formulation challenge. Using precision fermentation and high-throughput screening, Shiru produces these ingredients and validates their performance in food. The objective is to enable food companies to make delicious, nutritious, and sustainable foods with a small fraction of the environmental footprint of conventional, animal-derived foods.
Together, Shiru and CP Kelco will accelerate product development for several proteins identified by the Flourish™ platform. CP Kelco will perform scale-up of these proteins with its fermentation capabilities and further validate the performance of the Shiru proteins in food prototypes by the end of this year.
The first promising candidates for the Shiru-CP Kelco partnership include novel replacements for methylcellulose, a chemical compound used as a gelling agent and emulsifier in food products such as plant-based meat alternatives.
“Shiru is developing a range of functional ingredients that enable food manufacturers to reduce their environmental footprint quickly and efficiently – without compromising on functionality, taste, or nutrition,” said Shiru CEO and Founder Dr. Jasmin Hume. “We look forward to a long and productive partnership with CP Kelco – and with all companies that strive to make our food system sustainable and robust.”
For approximately 90 years, CP Kelco has collaborated with many of the world’s leading food and beverage manufacturers to formulate innovative products that meet key texture and stability requirements while addressing consumer needs and preferences, such as a simple, clean ingredient label. The company recently launched a range of nature-based ingredient solutions for today’s plant-based meat alternative product developers.
“CP Kelco has embarked on a strategic initiative focused on alternative proteins and innovation to meet evolving market and consumer needs, now and in the future,” said Robert Dunn, Senior Marketing Director and Alternative Proteins Program Lead at CP Kelco. “We’re delighted to partner with innovators like Shiru, not only to further contribute to sustainable development within the food & beverage industry, but also to accelerate our engagement and learning in the alternative proteins space.”
“Our fermentation technology expertise and operational infrastructure are uniquely suited to working hand-in-hand with Shiru to achieve our shared goals,” added Steve Matzke, Senior Manager of Pioneering Innovation at CP Kelco.
R&D and production teams from both Shiru and CP Kelco are already working together at CP Kelco’s facility in San Diego to support the first prototype runs.
About CP Kelco
CP Kelco is a nature-based ingredient solutions company with approximately 90 years of experience working with food, beverage, consumer and industrial product manufacturers worldwide. We apply ingredient innovation and problem-solving to develop customized solutions that leverage our regional insights, meet manufacturers’ goals and address consumer needs and preferences.
Our key product lines include pectin, gellan gum, xanthan gum, carrageenan, diutan gum, refined locust bean gum, microparticulated whey protein concentrate, fermentation-derived cellulose and our latest innovation, NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber. Learn more at www.cpkelco.com.
About Shiru
Shiru is pioneering next-generation ingredients for use in food manufacturing and production. Founded in 2019, Shiru has developed an ingredient discovery approach that combines machine-learning algorithms and precision fermentation to discover and create high value ingredients. Built by a team of technology experts and food industry veterans, Shiru is on a mission to reduce the world’s reliance on animals for food by providing delicious, cost-effective, and sustainable alternatives. Shiru is based in Emeryville, California, and is backed by leading venture capital firms such as S2G Ventures, Lux Capital, and CPT Capital. For more information, visit www.shiru.com.
ATLANTA, March 17, 2022 – CP Kelco, a global leader of nature-based ingredient solutions, is pleased to announce a new portfolio of offerings to support product development in the dynamic, fast-growing market of plant-based meat alternatives. The new range of solutions includes nature-based, cleaner label-friendly ingredient options for formulating plant-based burger and sausage alternatives and helping deliver a meat-like eating experience.
With the rise of flexitarians, plant-based meat alternative products were developed to be as close as possible to meat, but they had a long and complex ingredient list. Now that the category has exploded in popularity, Generation 2.0 consumers are increasingly interested in meat alternative products with a simpler, more recognizable ingredient list. Taste, texture and a meat-like eating experience are even more important.
Introducing CP Kelco’s new meat alternative (MA) line of multifunctional solutions for formulating plant-based burger and sausage alternatives
“Our launch of this new portfolio of offerings for plant-based meat alternatives is an exciting advancement in our rapidly evolving program focused on alternative protein product development and innovation,” said Robert Dunn, Senior Marketing Director and Alternative Proteins Program Lead.
“The remarkable part is that innovation came from within our existing portfolio of gellan gum, pectin, carrageenan and citrus fiber. We drew upon the strength of these proven, nature-based ingredients and our talented team of scientists to answer the growing market need for cleaner label alternatives to methylcellulose and starch, the top two ingredients used in plant-based meat alternatives,” Dunn added.
In addition to innovations that will help alternative protein product developers today, CP Kelco is also collaborating on next-generation solutions outside our current portfolio that will accelerate the shift to a more sustainable food system.
About CP Kelco: Unlocking Nature-Powered Success®
CP Kelco is a nature-based ingredient solutions company with approximately 90 years of experience working with food, beverage, consumer and industrial products manufacturers worldwide. We apply ingredient innovation and problem-solving to develop customized solutions that leverage our regional insights and meet manufacturers’ goals to address consumer needs and preferences.
Key product lines include gellan gum, pectin, xanthan gum, carrageenan, diutan gum, refined locust bean gum, microparticulated whey protein concentrate, fermentation-derived cellulose and our latest innovation, NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber. Learn more at www.cpkelco.com.
