Otherwise known as gellan gum, Grindsted Gellan Mas 100 is a label-friendly stabiliser for drinks made with pulses, grains, nuts and plant-derived protein.
Originally made by DuPont for ingredient systems, it is now available as a single ingredient for the first time.
The stabiliser sits within DuPont’s Danisco range of texturants, which the company claimed is backed by its strong expertise in optimising the texture, taste and appearance of specific food and beverage applications.
Lactose-intolerant demand
The main driver behind the launch is the demand for dairy-free drinks for lactose-intolerant consumers, said DuPont global product manager Jean-Baptiste Dufeu.
“According to the latest market intelligence, close to 25% of European consumers are reducing or avoiding dairy products in their diet for health reasons,” he said.
“Our ingredient enables manufacturers to respond to this trend by stabilising particles in plant-based beverages and creating a refreshingly smooth texture. Consumers experience a refreshing drink with an authentic flavour profile.”
Global sales to reach £12.8bn
Global sales of dairy alternative drinks are forecast to reach £12.8bn ($16.3bn) by 2018, according to market analyst Innova Market Insights.
The estimate is more than double the market in 2010, which was £5.82bn ($7.4bn).
Dairy alternative drinks accounted for 7% of global dairy launches recorded by Innova in 2016, up from 6% in 2015.
Reflecting this, Innova named ‘disruptive green’ as a top 10 food and drink trend for 2017.
“Consumers are increasingly looking at lactose-free, dairy-free and plant-based options as healthy lifestyle choices, rather than as simply for those with allergies or intolerances,” said Innova director of innovation Lu Ann Williams.
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