Naturex joint venture targets meat shelf-life boosters

Galactic specialises in lactic acid and lactate-based natural ingredients. The partners aim to pitch new products on to the market in 2014, group marketing director Antoine Dauby told FoodManufacture.co.uk at the Food Ingredients Europe 2013 trade show in Frankfurt.

“The idea is to work together to provide full solutions combining antimicrobial and antioxidant effects, where you need active agents to preserve products,”​ said Dauby.

‘Being discussed right now’​

“These are being discussed right now and we hope we can achieve new product development in 2014. The first sector investigated will be meat. Cured, fresh, etc. will need different applications. It will take time to have the full range available.”​

Meanwhile, Naturex reported huge growth in new product development involving rosemary extract. Based on data from market analyst Mintel, Dauby claimed there had been a 550% rise in such product launches in the first nine months of 2013, compared to the same period in 2011.

In a press release, Baptiste Demur, business manager at Naturex, said: “We believe the growing popularity of rosemary extracts will continue in the coming years as consumer demand for clean labels maintains its momentum.​

‘Regulatory environment more favourable’​

“Furthermore, the regulatory environment has become more favourable, as shown by the European Commission’s recent decision to broaden regulations covering the use of rosemary extract as an antioxidant in lean meat and fish products.”​

And while antioxidant health claims had received short shrift from the European Food Safety Authority so far, the proliferation of other claims on its positive list enabled the company to offer other manufacturers other opportunities, the company said.

For example, the firm offered antioxidant blends including acerola cherry powders, and grape extract, which enabled manufacturers to claim Vitamin C content, said Dauby.

And Naturex's line of natural curing ingredients for meat and poultry products allowed for claims such as 'made with 100% natural ingredients'.