Home / Insights / The Clean Label-Friendly Alternative to Traditional Stabilizers for Meat Applications

The Clean Label-Friendly Alternative to Traditional Stabilizers for Meat Applications

Many of the current global consumer trends are having a big impact on today’s meat industry:

The demand for protein has never been greater.
Snacking – especially meat snacks as convenient sources of protein – is on the rise.
More consumers are cooking meals at home and turn to packaged meats for help.
Consumers are reading the package label and want to feed their family the best. They seek out cleaner label meat products that are free from hormones, antibiotics, artificial preservatives and stabilizers.
Consumers are very interested in more nature-based or recognizable ingredients.

There has been growing interest over the years to help meat producers find a cleaner label alternative to the stabilizers and phosphates traditionally used for meat and poultry applications. However, stabilizers serve several purposes. They help to increase water-holding capacity that leads to higher yield and stabilize emulsions, improve texture, and enhance other sensory properties such as tenderness and juiciness. Because of their functionality, it has been hard to find an alternative, let alone a cleaner label alternative – until now…

A Nature-Powered Solution

NUTRAVA^® Citrus Fiber is nature-based and upcycled from citrus peels, an abundant byproduct of the juice industry. A fiber ingredient, it is also a unique solution for solving a number of key challenges for meat producers:

Strengthens brand positioning as clean label-friendly and provides differentiation
Aligns with consumer needs for more recognizable ingredients
Can be listed as citrus fiber on the label*
Supports dietary fiber intake
Maintains juiciness and tenderness
Texture, color and taste of meat products remain optimal
Increases cooked yield
Reduces purge
Compatible with standard manufacturing processes, including injection

Want more details about how NUTRAVA^® Citrus Fiber performs in meat applications? Find out if NUTRAVA^® Citrus Fiber or another great solution from our nature-based portfolio is right for you. Contact us today!

*National labeling requirements should be considered in the country of use.

Home / Insights / 6 Reasons Why Citrus Fiber is A-peeling to Food & Bev Formulators

6 Reasons Why Citrus Fiber is A-peeling to Food & Bev Formulators

1. Start With an Upcycled Ingredient

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.

2. It Supports a Range of Clean Label-Friendly Solutions

NUTRAVA^® Citrus Fiber was developed to support your clean label goals:

Supports fat reduction
Supports sugar reduction
Egg substitution/vegan formulations
No E-number required in Europe
Can help you meet requirements for kosher, halal, vegan, non-GMO, allergen- & gluten-free food products
Can be listed as citrus fiber on the label*

*National labeling requirements should be considered in the country of use

3. The Possibilities–and Applications–Are Endless

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.

4. It Can Be a Great Alternative to Supply-Challenged Ingredients

If you have been looking for an alternative to starch or locust bean gum, NUTRAVA^® Citrus Fiber can help. Find more information here or contact us for assistance.

5. It Is Easy to Work With

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.

6. Our Commitment to Sustainability

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.

Keep in Touch!

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.

Home / Insights / Ingredients for Success With Plant-Based Yogurt Alternatives

Ingredients for Success With Plant-Based Yogurt Alternatives

According to Global Data’s 2020 dairy trend report, one in four consumers globally is “actively trying to increase consumption of plant-based protein.”

It’s no wonder then that plant-based, dairy alternative products continue to grow in popularity. They can appeal to consumers with lactose intolerance and dairy allergies as well as the flexitarians and food explorers. There has been a boom in new product launches of spoonable, non-dairy yogurt alternatives since 2015, projected to be seven times that of dairy yogurt, according to Innova Market Insights.

Drinking yogurt alternatives are also becoming a popular protein snack that is loved by all ages. Long shelf-life drinking yogurt alternatives add the convenience of a shelf-stable format as well. Without a need for refrigeration, they can be shipped, stored and enjoyed anywhere. See why we’re making the case for long shelf-life drinking yogurt here.

Coconut and almond are the top protein bases for new product launches. Globally, they make up approximately 32% of new product launches in the yogurt alternatives market from 2018 – 2020, according to Innova Market Insights. Soy is still a big part of the market and oat is also very popular.

The key to working with alternative protein is mastering taste and texture – especially when trying to reach the flexitarian consumer and compete with your counterparts for shelf space. Consumers expect these new plant-based dairy alternatives to have all the great qualities of dairy: the same rich mouthfeel, texture and creaminess – even a similar appearance, plus stability over shelf life.

Textural challenges can arise from the absence of milkfat and casein as well as the size and hydration properties of different plant protein. Earthy or beany notes can also impact flavor.

Formulation Help Is Here

The true secret to achieving success in plant-based, non-dairy yogurt alternatives is choosing the right nature-based ingredient. In addition to contributing to texture and viscosity, it can help solve the most common challenges in both stirred and sippable formulations: syneresis control, suspension and even protein protection.

GENU^® Pectin is an easily recognized, label-friendly ingredient extracted from citrus peels. It can be used to protect proteins at an acidic pH and provide long-lasting stability over shelf life while also preventing sedimentation and syneresis. A well-known gelling agent, pectin can help formulators create a creamy, spoonable texture by delivering that missing “fat sensation” and optimize mouthfeel when combined with starch or NUTRAVA^® Citrus Fiber.

KELCOGEL^® Gellan Gum is a multifunctional, fermentation-derived ingredient for solving plant-based protein challenges. It provides stabilization and suspension of insoluble protein, calcium, minerals and other particles in yogurt drinks while contributing minimal mouthfeel and ensuring a smooth pour.

Plus, we have a fiber ingredient solution: NUTRAVA^® Citrus Fiber is a next-generation fiber ingredient that comes from sustainably sourced citrus peels, an abundant byproduct of the juice industry. It is considered a food ingredient and can be listed as citrus fiber on the label. This makes it an attractive option because it can help formulators meet their clean label goals while supporting dietary fiber intake. NUTRAVA^® Citrus Fiber supports stability, suspension, body and texture in plant-based spoonable and drinking yogurt alternatives. It supports reduced-fat and reduced-sugar formulations and may also be used as an alternative to starch.

When a product developer is able to connect all of the elements of innovation, there is no limit to the potential for success with plant-based, non-dairy yogurt alternatives. Using nature-based ingredients will complement your plant proteins. Because of their multifunctional qualities, they may also help shorten your ingredient list overall. Ask about grades available to meet claims of organic compliance, non-GMO, gluten-free, halal, kosher and other clean label goals.

Home / Insights / Formulating Dairy Alternative Beverages with Better Suspension and Texture

Formulating Dairy Alternative Beverages with Better Suspension and Texture

In the competitive dairy alternatives market, taste and texture are what drive loyalty – and consumers do not want to compromise. They expect the products they purchase to meet their taste and texture standards, which are based on their familiarity with dairy.

For formulators, competing with dairy milk means attaining the suspension of insoluble ingredients for added nutrition, viscosity, mouthfeel and stabilization for visual appeal. KELCOGEL^® HA-B Gellan Gum is considered the gold standard for suspension of insoluble ingredients. It can be used in combination with other texturants to tailor mouthfeel.

Now CP Kelco has a new, strong value proposition for achieving stability and viscosity in dairy alternative beverages: Try KELCOGEL^® HA-B Gellan Gum together with NUTRAVA^® Citrus Fiber for body, viscosity and mouthfeel. NUTRAVA^® Citrus Fiber addresses the need for nature-based, clean label-friendly and recognizable ingredients. it can be listed as simply citrus fiber on the label. Upcycled from citrus peels, an abundant byproduct of the juice industry, NUTRAVA^® Citrus Fiber supports dietary fiber intake and increased viscosity with a light, refreshing mouthfeel. It may also provide cost savings for dairy alternative beverage manufacturers who typically add gums for mouthfeel, such as locust bean gum that is in short supply.

CP Kelco’s Portfolio of Dairy Alternative Beverage Solutions

CP Kelco offers a nature-based portfolio of ingredient solutions to help meet your formulation needs and deliver a dairy-like drinking experience for consumers.

We can help…

Support clean label-friendly formulations
Support stability, suspension, body and texture
Support mouthfeel enhancement
Provide flexibility for easier processing
Provide potential cost savings opportunity

Let us help you find the solution that is best for your plant-based beverage formulation. Contact us for ideas and recipes!