A leading clean-label ingredients manufacturer is launching a range of nutritionally beneficial ingredients, which it hopes will generate around 10-15% of its annual turnover by 2015.
Ulrick & Short has joined forces with Appetizing Innovation to prove the efficacy and legality of ingredients with specific health declarations and help the ingredients supplier take its first major steps towards developing clean-label crop-based functional ingredients. Backed by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, Appetizing Innovation is part of a consortium made up of the regional food group, Food Processing Faraday Partnership, Leeds Metropolitan and Sheffield Hallam Universities. The aim is to help food and drink businesses in the Yorkshire and Humber region deliver product and packaging innovation projects.
Appetizing Innovation is conducting a full review of the health claims for a plant that is a traditional replacement for sugar and fat in foods. A spokeswoman for Ulrick & Short said that the company would not disclose which plant extract they were researching and that it will release more details later in the year. The review will include a chemical analysis and a detailed explanation of the results.
"The move to dietary functionality forms a core focus of the innovations division at Ulrick & Short. Our Delyte range of fat replacers has already given evidence that consumers have become increasingly aware of the importance of having a healthy lifestyle and well-balanced diet," said Ulrick & Short's director Andrew Ulrick. "We have already seen the impact of omega oils in foods. Our expertise in the bakery, dairy and breakfast cereal industry is a great platform for our new clean-label functional ingredients."
Ulrick & Short manufactures and supplies a range of clean-label ingredients, including binders, emulsifiers, bakery glazes, fat replacers and phosphate alternatives.
Appetizing Innovation supports a wide range of different-sized companies in the Yorkshire and Humber region. It has funding available to help finance new product development in the food and drink sector. It said that it is currently working with several ingredient suppliers and food manufacturers.