CP Kelco’s latest webinar explores the applicability of its Nutrava Citrus Fiber ingredient in better-for-you sauces, dressings, spreads and soups. The ingredient is able to fortify foods with fiber and reduce sugar content.

Despite high demand for these clean label offerings, consumers remain unwilling to compromise on taste and texture, no matter the benefits, the supplier underscores.

“It’s hard to think of a market that hasn’t been impacted [by the clean label movement]. We know it’s a key driver for condiments, sauces, dressings and soups,” Chloé des Courtis, senior marketing manager of EMEA, for CP Kelco, tells FoodIngrdientsFirst.

“It has also broadened in scope as consumers add more expectations, including how food is produced, transparency and sustainability.” 

“Since the term ‘clean label’ has no legal definition and can be so broad, we try to help customers achieve specific goals such as sugar reduction, GMO-free, gluten-free, vegetarian or certified organic, using sustainably sourced ingredients,” she explains. 

A “process-friendly” functional fiber ingredient
Nutrava Citrus Fiber is positioned as a “process-friendly” ingredient that delivers on fat and sugar reduction in addition to clean label goals, while adding fiber to formulations.

Fiber is held in high esteem by global consumers. According to Innova Market Insights, two in three global consumers say “fiber influences my purchasing decision.”

“Innovative Nutrava Citrus can help you create recipes with a shorter and more easily recognizable ingredient deck. It is easy to use and process friendly, flexible with standard manufacturing processes you’re currently using,” details des Courtis.

“It contributes to mouthfeel, structure and viscosity. By adjusting the use level, formulators can achieve a diverse range of viscosity profiles.”

Nutrava Citrus Fiber was developed as a replacement for starch, xanthan gum and eggs in a vegan-friendly “mayonnaise” dressing that is amylase-resistant.

Upcycling citrus peels
Nutrava Citrus Fiber is sourced from intact citrus peels, a byproduct of the juicing industry. 

Last August, the ingredient was awarded the 2020 Ringier Technology Innovation Award for Creative Plant-based Product in the Food & Beverage Ingredients category.

“We start with the spent peels from the citrus juicing industry,” des Courtis continues.“We’ve also found ways to reuse wastewater from pectin production as a type of fertilizer (fertigation) for nearby fields. What remains of the peels is turned into Braspolpa animal feed, a nutritious diet supplement.”

In 2018, CP Kelco spearheaded an initiative to improve the sustainability of its business, focusing on finding recycling or reuse outlets for all its waste streams. It further backs a commitment to zero-waste.

“One of the largest efforts took place at our San Diego, California production facility. Employees found a local tree nursery nearby that could utilize the food waste byproduct as compost, diverting 100 percent (2,000 metric tons a year) from local landfills,” highlights des Courtis.

What’s next in the clean label pipeline?
CP Kelco is exploring more possibilities for Nutrava Citrus Fiber. “Other key applications include  fruit-flavored drinks, fruit preparation, bakery and meats,” says des Courtis.

“Also in our pipeline are dual function ingredients to help product developers achieve more functionality with less ingredients. We’ll soon be introducing an innovative pectin ingredient that will simplify the process of developing fruited yogurt beverages.”

The supplier’s Genu Pectin YM-FP-2100 ingredient can be added at the fruit preparation stage to stabilize the fruit and add texture. This stability then carries over into the yogurt drink throughout its shelf life, without any other starch or stabilizer needed.

“Product developers get the simplicity of using one, label-friendly ingredient for easier processing, pleasant mouthfeel and viscosity, plus a shorter ingredient list,” notes des Courtis.

CP Kelco further developed a particular grade of gellan gum to help formulators reduce the number of stabilizer ingredients required and achieve a cleaner label.

“Our new dual-function Kelcogel DF Gellan Gum provides excellent suspension of calcium, minerals and particulates like cocoa as well as appropriate mouthfeel and viscosity in dairy and plant-based protein beverages,” des Courtis highlights. 

The consumer lifestyle trend toward cleaner living continues to broaden, raising expectations around what constitutes a clean label. The progression of this term was detailed in Innova Market Insights’ recently unveiled Top Trend for 2021, “Transparency Triumphs.”

For more insights on the use of upcycled ingredients in clean label offerings, readers may be directed to CP Kelco’s full webinar.