Omya has introduced its 2021 European distribution portfolio of added value ingredients for products to meet emerging consumer demand. It focuses on colourants, flavours and vitamins suitable for natural and vegan clean label applications, such as meat replacers and milk alternatives. From its suppliers, the company is able to offer selected specialities in small or large batches, in combination with its own calcium minerals, for individual processing challenges.
Consumer demand for natural, plant-based and vegan clean label applications is further growing throughout the pandemic and Omya predicts it will only increase in the coming years.
The company is offering ingredients such as Purple Sweet Potato Concentrate, a colorant obtained by aqueous extraction of the tuber, reportedly providing more stability than fruit-based anthocyanins. The colouring shades from red to purple depend on the pH of the application. It replicates meat-like colours for plant-based burger patties or vegan sausages and also provides a natural appearance for drinkable dairy alternatives.
Responding to customer demand for savoury flavours, yeast extracts provide the typical umami and kokumi taste. Thanks to naturally occurring amino acids, glutamic acid being one of them, the anticipated taste of food is enhanced and defined. The ingredients are suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets, and can be labelled either as yeast extracts or natural flavors. For meat alternatives, yeast extracts provide natural taste-masking, colour and meat-like flavour, Omya claims. They also contribute to salt reduction in a range of applications.
To support a vegan diet, fortification with Vitamin D3 and Vitamin B12 is desirable. Vitamin D3 increases the intestinal absorption of calcium, and plays an important role in calcium metabolism. Fatty fish is one of the few foods that naturally contain significant amounts, so it is understandable that vegans will seek out fortified alternatives.
Stefan Lander said: “Since our foundation in 1884, Omya has been committed to implementing the principles of sustainability at all company levels. So we are delighted to support contemporary consumer demands with added value products, and services, from responsibly sourced materials that meet the essential needs of current and future generations.”
