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Ingredients in Focus is Food Dive's bite-sized column that highlights interesting developments. In the material sector.
Ingredion, a specialty ingredient solutions provider, is focusing on texturizers with the launch of Fibertex CF.
Citrus fiber, which offers a variety of benefits, is a textured food ingredient made from recycled citrus peels. They are ““It has improved viscosity-enhancing properties, gelling properties, mouthfeel, emulsification and texture stability over the shelf life,” the company said.
Consumers increasingly expect more from their food. While many are looking for shorter ingredient lists and clean labels, they also don’t want to compromise on their eating experience, including taste and texture.
Ingredion’s Fibertex CF products have traditionally had limited applications for citrus fiber, but they can completely or partially replace expensive and volatile ingredients such as egg, oil and tomato solids, alleviating cost and supply constraints without compromising texture, stability and eating experience in a variety of applications, the company said.
Ingredion says food and beverage companies can use Fibertex CF Citrus fiber in dips, sauces and dressings to achieve the same texture with less oil; in bakery and snack foods to improve tenderness, lengthen texture and reduce fat; in food preparation and cheeses to provide a smooth, creamy texture; and in fruit-based juices and smoothies to create a rich, pulpy texture that consumers love.
“As consumers continue to demand new products with authentic, naturally sourced ingredients, better nutrition and compelling packaging claims, we recognized the need for cost-effective, highly rated ingredient options that could do more across both functionality and consumer preferences,” Deepa Sethi, global senior manager and head of Ingredion’s Texture Solutions innovation business, said in a statement.
Citrus fiber is growing in popularity. According to Ingredion’s 2023 ATLAS exclusive consumer study, 85% of consumers claim to accept and prefer citrus fiber on labels. The same study also found that labeling is becoming more important, with 79% of global consumers saying they want to be aware of product ingredients and 50% claiming they are checking food ingredients more than they did last year.
Citrus fibers may be particularly useful in plant-based foods to mimic the specific texture of existing products.
“Vegan products typically contain a range of additives that mimic ingredients like egg, resulting in a long and complex list of ingredients,” said Julika Baseda, Ingredion’s global R&D program manager. “The power of FIBERTEX™ Citrus fiber comes from its natural dietary fiber composition and unique ability to emulsify and bind water, providing thickness and textural stability without the use of eggs.”
