Special Coverage: 2012 IFT Annual Meeting & Expo
By Food in Canada staff
Facilities Maintenance Research & Development Ingredients & Additives food ingredients IFTFood in Canada was at this year’s IFT show, and offers this roundup of some of the great innovations and products on display
Las Vegas, Nev. – The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) reports that its 2012 Annual Meeting & Food Expo was a huge success. The event, which took place in Las Vegas from June 26 to 28, attracted more than 18,000 attendees from nearly 80 countries.
The event featured 1,066 exhibitors, an eight-per-cent increase from 2011, and offered 100 educational sessions and more than 1,000 poster sessions offering information on the latest developments and trends in food science.
Innovation Awards
The 2012 IFT Food Expo Innovation Awards were announced during the show. Only companies who were exhibiting were eligible, and judging criteria included degree of innovation, technical advancement, benefits to food manufacturers and consumers, and scientific merit. The winners were:
• Advantix Systems
• Ampac
• Ecolab
• Glanbia Nutritionals
If you missed the show, next year IFT takes place in Chicago from July 12 to July 16.
Food in Canada attended this year’s show and offers this roundup of some of the exciting and innovative products and companies we saw.
Add it here
TIC Gums introduced its Add-Here CSA for the snack and bakery industry. The new line of products allows for sugar-free binding and fixing of food ingredients, and is specifically for sticking and maintaining inclusions like seeds to bagels or salt and spices to crackers, chips or other snack products. The company says Add-Here is a proprietary blend of gums that is cold-water soluble, with a viscosity low enough to be spray-able. With its binding and film-forming characteristics, it can hold more salt, spices, seeds or other inclusions without the addition of sugar, honey, egg wash or high fructose corn syrup. Add-Here CSA can be used for affixing inclusions and spices onto foods like pretzels, seasoned nuts, meat and croutons, as well as to seal burritos and other closed meat or fruit-filled pockets. In addition it’s allergen-free. During the show TIC Gums unveiled Add-Here 3200, a hydrocolloid system that can effectively bind particulates commonly found in granola, cereal and energy bars, while significantly reducing the amount of sugar, honey and/or high fructose corn syrup in the formula.
Breakthrough
Dow AgroSciences produces Omega-9 Canola and Sunflower Oils, the next generation of healthier oils. The oils contain no trans fat, the lowest saturated fats, and high heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, and do not affect taste or functionality. Under its Omega-9 Oils Ingredient Solutions, the company showcased its Omega-9 Shortening, which offers users healthier baked goods. The shortening offers lower saturated fat content on the nutrition panel and improved ingredient labels. It maintains or extends shelf life due to its natural stability, provides a neutral product flavour, and prevents off-flavours.
Fume hood
Erlab is a manufacturer of non-ducted filtering laboratory fume hoods. The company’s new Green Fume Hood is the next generation in energy-saving fume hood technology. With the breakthrough Neutrodine 2G system, the Green Fume Hood is a turnkey solution providing a variety of installation, operational and environmental benefits. The product can help save energy, comply with green building standards and provide protection to laboratory technicians. The company also highlighted its Captair, ductless filtering fume hoods and vented storage cabinets that are designed to protect laboratory personnel working with chemicals.
Texture enhancer
Glanbia Nutritionals unveiled its BarPro 585, calling it a first for nutritional bar formulations. BarPro is designed to enhance the texture of nougat-style bars. Visitors were able to witness firsthand how a whipped texture could be created for bars using BarPro 585. Also on display was OptiSol 5300 hydrocolloid ingredient, a cost-effective guar gum replacer for gluten-free baked goods; GanedenBC30, a shelf-stable probiotic; Carnipure L-Carnitine L-Tartrate and electrolytes for muscle recovery and hydration; BevWise A-101WS, a whey and soy protein blend that provides protein fortification; BevWise I-302WM, a milk protein and whey protein blend; and BevGrad, a fine-milled flax seed.
Healthy indulgence
BASF Nutrition & Health showcased ingredients targeting formulators looking for a combination of taste, structure, texture, volume and shelf life. The company showed its Lamequick whipping agents, which are ideal for whipped desserts, cream fillings and cake decorating, ice-cream and frozen desserts; and Spongolit aerating emulsifiers, which can ensure stability, volume and crumb structure. The company also highlighted its omega-3 fatty acids; vitamins A, B, D, E and K; phytosterols; Tonalin conjugated linoleic acid; and a wide range of carotenoids that can be used as colourants.
Value-added ingredients
Bunge Oils and Bunge Milling, Bunge North America produces edible oil, shortening and milled corn ingredients that range from bulk commodity to premium, packaged value-added products. Bunge Oils can offer solutions that help eliminate trans fats, reduce saturates and optimize performance for finished products. Bunge Milled offers a complete milled corn product line, including whole grain, high fibre and gluten-free customized products. At the show, the company debuted its mobile food truck, which featured a menu highlighting the company’s healthier oils and shortenings.
Building partnerships
Cargill Inc. highlighted its ability to work with clients from concept ideation to consumer launch. The company offers services in ingredients, supply chain and risk management. Cargill showcased many of its products, including: Xtend Sucromalt, CitriTex, WheatSelect White Whole Wheat, Clear Valley Omega-3 Oil & Shortening, Wilbur, Gerkens, Oliggo-Fiber Inulin, Zerose Erythritol, Prosante Textured Soy Proteins and SodiumSelect.
Heart healthy
The California Walnut Board displayed the benefits of heart-healthy walnuts. A versatile ingredient, the walnut is an omega-3 powerhouse – containing 2.5 grams of omega-3 per ounce, they may help boost memory, improve cognitive function, and help fight against prostate cancer.
Flavour chemistry
David Michael & Co., the flavour company, offers creative ideas to expand product lines and develop new ones. During the show, the company featured its custom flavour abilities in categories such as vanilla, savoury, dairy, fruit flavours and beverages. The company also highlighted its flavour modifiers, salt replacers and potassium blockers, natural colour abilities, sweetness inhibitors and masking flavours, as well as its Michtex, custom stabilizer blends for an array of food and beverage products.
Water activity
Decagon Devices Inc. is a provider of water activity technology. The company highlighted its Aqualab by Decagon, a line of instrumentation that aids with food safety, microbial growth prediction and shelf-life stability.
Nutrition innovation
DSM Nutritional Products offers nutrition solutions and innovation. The company offers an international network of R&D, production and custom nutrient blending facilities, as well as sales and marketing. Also on display was its fat- and water-soluble vitamins, carotenoids for colouration and fortification, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and novel nutraceuticals. Other products being showcased included: ALL-Q CoQ10, Fabuless, life’sDHA, resVida resveratol, Teavigo EGCG, CaroCare Natural ß-Carotene, FloraGLO Lutein, Optisharp, and Lycopene.
Mechanical separation
GEA Westfalia Separator Group highlighted its experience in the field of mechanical separation. The company showed its centrifuges for separating liquids and liquid mixtures, with designs including solid-wall separators, chamber separators, self-cleaning disk separators, self-cleaning disk separators in steam-sterilizable design, and nozzle separators. In addition, GEA featured its decanters for use when separators are no longer feasible, in designs including clarifying decanter, separating decanter, classifying decanters, and extraction decanters.
Sanitation systems
Ecolab’s sanitation products and systems are designed to help customers produce safer, high-quality products, improve operational efficiency and enhance environmental stewardship. The company featured its new Residual Antimicrobial Coating for environmental surfaces, hard surface and continuous belt treatment sanitizers, and antimicrobial direct food treatments for meat, poultry, RTE and fruit/vegetable products. Also on display were its ATP-based surface sanitation verification systems, personnel hygiene program and pest elimination services.
Delivering value
Corn Products International and Natural Starch are now Ingredion Inc. The new company offers ingredients and formulations that deliver value, natural/clean labels, nutrition, taste and texture and healthy eating. Some of the products being showcased included Aquamin, Enliten, Erysta, Expandex, Hi-Maize, Hystar, Invertose, Maltisweet, Novation, Nutraflora, Precisa, Purimune, Purity Gum and Q Naturale.
Custom meat flavours
Innova, a Griffiths Laboratories Company, showcased its ability to create customized meat and savoury flavours with unique signatures that can be used in a broad range of food applications. In addition, the company displayed its flavour flexibility, and its spray- and pan-drying technologies for products delivered in powder, paste or liquid, in water- or oil-soluble forms. Innova also featured its Robust, a line of meat flavours; Vegamine, the benchmark for hydrolyzed vegetable proteins; and SavorNotes, a portfolio of savoury flavours and flavour enhancers.
Natural antimicrobial
PL Thomas & Co. unveiled its new natural antimicrobial, eatFresh, a blend made with FDA-approved GRAS ingredients that promotes and extends product freshness while enhancing flavour profile and appearance. The antimicrobial offers the benefit of a clean label, and helps meet consumer demand for all-natural products. Features include extended shelf life by inhibiting growth of bacteria, yeast and mould. It provides a minimal flavour profile, is kosher certified, and is easily incorporated into a wide variety of preparations and beverages.
Adding interest
The Almond Board of California says 63 per cent of consumers report almonds as the nut that comes to mind first as part of a cereal product. In fact, statistics cited by the board show that 70 per cent of consumers agree that products with almonds are contemporary; 81 per cent of consumers agree that products with almonds are more interesting; and 86 per cent of consumers believe products with almonds are better nutritionally. The Almond Board also highlighted the fact that almonds add a subtle, buttery taste, versatility and variety.
Collagen proteins
GELITA provides collagen proteins (collagen peptides and gelatine), which are natural, healthy and non-allergenic ingredients and which possess unique technical and physiological properties. Collagen proteins are natural stabilizers and emulsifiers and provide health benefits in the areas of physical mobility, weight management and beauty from within. GELITA showcased its dairy products with GELITA Gelatine, which can prevent syneresis in yogurt, optimize ice cream texture, and stabilize whipped creams and other foams. It also featured PEPTIPLUS, a natural protein source that can strengthen connective tissue, is easy to process and has a high bioavailability. Other branded solutions from GELITA included: VITARCAL for calorie management; FORTIGEL for joint health; GELITA GEL-LAC for ice cream; GELITA RTE-ICE for frozen and prepared meals; and GELIKO Kosher.
Sugar replacer
Sensus America Inc. launched its new Frutalose SF75, Sweet Chicory Fibre. According to the company, the ingredient has been shown to be an effective replacement for sugar in baked goods, particularly cookies, and delivers 65 per cent of the sweetness of sugar and many of the same functional properties. The humectant properties of Frutalose SF75 are particularly relevant for these applications. In the tested formula, invert syrup and HFCS, traditional humectants, were completely removed with no noticeable change in texture. The company adds that the level of margarine in the reduced sugar cookie was lowered to account for the added humectancy of Frutalose SF75.
Dairy analyzer
According to FOSS, the new NIRS DS2500 Dairy Powder analyzer is the next generation of near infrared analyzers to help companies improve yield and reduce energy usage in powder production. The analyzer’s new design offers usability, instrument standardization, and seamless transferability of calibrations from existing NIR solutions and across multiple installed units. It is designed for use in the laboratory or on the production line.
Fresh ideas
Univar Food Ingredients offers clients a portfolio of performance ingredients and services to help simplify their businesses. The company created the Univar Food Function Library tools to offer clients more options in their formulation challenges. At this year’s show, the company featured new formulations with the Less is More healthy reduction formulation tool. Visitors could sample Twist’n, a tropical energy drink with natural caffeine, and Crave, a chocolate cinnamon snack bar with real cranberries.
Ingredient solutions
Chr. Hansen is a bioscience company that develops natural ingredient solutions, including cultures and dairy enzymes, probiotics, and natural colours for beverages, confectionary and ice cream. It also offers CapColors, a line of natural colour pigments normally oil-soluble or completely water-soluble, which are made to be water dispersible. Its ColorFruit products are blends of juices and extracts developed to provide a specific shade and improved stability in applications. ColorFruit products are made from stable anthocyanins, the colour pigments found in edible fruits and vegetables. Its FruitMax products are obtained from selected raw materials such as fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices, are minimally processed, and do not contain preservatives.
Fortification
Purac offers ingredients produced from renewable agricultural products for use in a broad range of foods and beverages for natural preservation, food safety, shelf life extension, sodium reduction, and flavour enhancement. The company showcased its Puracal, which is ideal for calcium fortification of beverages due to its high solubility, high bioavailability, neutral taste, and minimal impact on application and process. Verdad F95, part of the Verdad F line, minimizes the need for heavy processing and can further enhance the microbial hurdle. Meanwhile, Verdad NV10 is a label friendly ingredient designed to enhance shelf life and stabilize colour in fresh meat products. It is cultured corn sugar and can be labelled as such. Also on display was Puracal XPro, a calcium lactate glutonate in the form of white, free-flowing powder that is odourless and practically tasteless, which is suitable for fortification of drinks.
Ingredient solutions
Prinova offers high-quality ingredients, flavours and value-added solutions. The company displayed its Lutein, a natural form of carotenoids and lipid metabolite now available in various liquid or powder forms and concentrations, as well as its omega-3 in powder and water-dispersible powder to meet specific formulations. The powders offer enhanced dissolution and dispersion for easier application into food preparations and beverages. The company also highlighted OvaSweet 120, a flavour solution for natural sweeteners designed to work well in combination with high purity stevia sweeteners, as well as sugar and HFCS. It can enhance flavour, sweetness and the taste of food and beverages. In addition, the company featured Nutralys Pea Protein from Roquette.
Egg replacer
H & A Canada Inc. showcased its ProOvO Egg Replacer, a nutrient-rich, cholesterol-free, vegetarian-friendly ingredient. ProOvO Egg Replacer products can replace liquid and powder whole egg in noodles and pasta, along with bread and other bakery products. The company says the product offers cost savings compared to using eggs, while maintaining and often improving the nutritional profile of finished products. In breads and baked goods, ProOvO results in light, fluffy, moist treats. In pasta and noodle applications it replicates the same springy mouth feel. Using ProOvO can also enhance the quality of vegetarian bakery products without the use of eggs.
Pathogen diagnostics
The new Neogen ANSR from Neogen Corporation uses patent-pending, unique amplification reaction technology for in vitro DNA amplification. Unlike PCR, ANSR is isothermal, replicating DNA at a constant temperature using a polymerase to exponentially amplify the DNA at 56˚C. Neogen says ANSR’s DNA amplification methodology exponentially amplifies the DNA of any target bacteria present in an enriched food sample to detectable levels in only 10 minutes. Target nucleic acid is amplified through a mechanism of polymerization from the ends of nicks created in double-stranded DNA by the action of a specific endonuclease. Amplified target sequences are detected in real time using fluorescent molecular beacon probes.
Sample preparation
CEM unveiled its MARS 6 Microwave Reaction System, designed to make microwave sample preparation effortless. The MARS 6 is versatile and can be configured for digestion, extraction or both. It can perform a variety of other chemistries, including parallel or batch synthesis, protein hydrolysis, and evaporation/concentration. It features full-colour touchscreen, eight gigabyte onboard controller, Powermax Power control, Method Library, acid- and impact-resistant composite shell, and one-touch or MARS classic method programming.
Performance materials
Emerald Performance Materials manufactures additives and process aids for food and beverage companies. During the show the company launched Kalama 3-Phenyl Propanol flavour and fragrance, which can provide spicy and floral fragrance notes. In addition, the company offers Hilton Davis FD&C Food Dye & Lake Colors; Purox High Purity Benzoic Acid and sodium and potassium benzoate antimicrobials/preservatives; Foam Blast; KFO; and ACEPOL Defoamers. The company also offers analytical testing and service.
Flavour appeal
Virginia Dare, a flavour and extract manufacturer, unveiled its new apple natural flavour creations: Macoun, Fuji and Honeycrisp. The company is also working on developing Almond Milk beverages that would appeal to Hispanic consumers, with four prototypes: Horchata, Dulce de Lece, Mexican Chocolate and Flan de Nuez. The company’s Beverage Laboratories has created iced coffee units that can be dairy-free or milk additive, varying in degree of coffee roast and featuring popular flavours. This new generation of iced coffee beverages is thinner in texture, more gulp-able and suitable for accompanying meals. The company also showcased milk chocolate and dark chocolate flavoured black tea ready-to-drink beverages, which were made with Virginia Dare’s new tea concentrate TT99.
Maltodextrins and corn syrup solids
Grain Processing Corporation produces Maltrin, a registered trademark for maltodextrins and corn syrup solids. Maltodextrins are readily digestible carbohydrates that provide four calories per gram and are metabolized by the body in the same way as glucose. Quick-dispersing versions are available as well. GPC also offers several lines of specialty starches, including PURE-COTE binding/coating starches, INSCOSITY cold water swelling starches, PURE-GEL stabilized starches, PURE-SET thin-boiling starches, and PURE-DENT PFP and specialty starches. TruBran corn bran can deliver exceptionally high levels of dietary fibre for a variety of applications.
Fortified products
Fortitech Inc. specializes in custom fortification and product development. During the show the company featured nutrient-rich samples and offered visitors a sample of PowerCap, a convenient way to deliver nutrients, flavours, colours, stabilizers and sweeteners in one complete powdered solution. The premix can be released into a beverage and its on-the-go delivery method means that nutrients are dispensed in an intact state. The company offered three samples: Black Raspberry or Strawberry Kiwi Flavoured Relaxation in a Cup, and Cranberry Flavoured Fatigue Fighter. Fortitech also showcased Fizzy Slimming Effervescent Tablet, Single Serve Hangover Helpers, and Bursting Bits Cherry Confectionery.
Market-driven ingredients
Naturex manufactures natural specialty ingredients and specializes in developing fruit and vegetable powders, natural flavourings, colourings, preservatives and healthy ingredients, as well as solutions tailored toward texturizing and taste improvement. The company unveiled VegeBrite, a new palette of pure concentrates of fruits and vegetables, and highlighted NAT taste ingredients including Kemfe and Talin, natural solutions that can improve total taste. The NAT F&V range includes a variety of fruit and vegetable powders that can upgrade the flavour, enhance the nutritional profile, and compliment the natural image of a product. In addition, Naturex highlighted its NAT textur range offering a variety of textures.
Print this page
