Healthy new ideas at Process Expo
Date: 12 August 2008
New products incorporate fruit and functional ingredients
Baker Perkins (booth #12118) is launching a series of healthy confectionery products at Process Expo in Chicago, that can be made using ServoGel depositing technology. These new products incorporate natural foods such as fruit, and functional ingredients including vitamins and calcium.
Deposited fruit snacks are 100% real fruit with no added sugar, and a convenient way for both children and adults to increase fruit intake. They can be positioned as a 'good for you' alternative to conventional snacks and confectionery.
They are made from concentrated fruit paste, as a bite-size piece or a bar; real fruit juice can be incorporated and softer textures used for a centre filling. Both adult and child versions may be fortified with vitamins, calcium and other functional ingredients to reinforce the healthy positioning.
Depositing is into moulds that can be shaped and embossed to produce a wide range of shapes from simple squares, circles or ovals, to fun shapes or characters that will appeal to children.
ServoGel technology also provides a unique, new and low cost solution for the production of jellies that can be positioned as fruit substitutes. Real fruit pieces can be included within the confection, along with real fruit juice added as a centre filling or in the syrup.
This new capability creates the potential to build a higher-value product portfolio with jellies in low sugar / sugar free formats with no more than 1% fat. Appeal can be further broadened by the use of exotic flavors such as passion fruit and mango, as well as favorites such as orange, strawberry and apple.
A unique range of sugar free candy / Xylitol combinations is also being introduced. Xylitol, conventionally used in chewing gum and toothpaste, offers well-proven dental health benefits.
This type of beneficial confectionery is evolving to fill the gap between medicated and mainstream products, with brands that are as enjoyable as any conventional candy, and also improve well-being. They address health and vitality concerns, and benefits can be as diverse as fresh breath, cough / dry throat relief, energy and alertness, and a 'feel well' sensation contributing to relaxation.
The ability to validate the process, with a high level of control over product traceability, provides many competitive advantages that are attractive to companies in the medicated and functional confectionery sectors. In addition to beneficial ingredients such as vitamins and calcium, medicated ingredients to relieve the symptoms of coughs and colds can be added. Gelatine-free products can also be made.
