Beneo-Remy launches rice bran for added bakery fibre

Beneo-Remy has added a stabilised rice bran and germ mix to its range of rice-based ingredients, intended to improve the fibre content and nutritional profile of gluten free bakery products, extruded cereals and pastas.

The new ingredient was launched at HiE in Paris, where sales and marketing manager Vincent Caluwaerts told BakeryandSnacks.com that RemyLive has been developed in response to consumer demand for high-fibre, all-natural ingredients.

He said: “RemyLive is made with the rice bran and germ together so it has the texture and all the nutritional benefits of rice fibre… We already have a creamy rice starch for low-fat applications and other starches which produce crunchy, crispy or filmy textures.”

According to Caluwaerts, the new bran will appeal to manufacturers looking for clean label ingredients, as well as those making gluten free products, or those interested in boosting a product’s fibre content.

Beneo-Remy stresses that RemyLive is not only a fibre source; it consists of approximately 20 per cent fibre, 20 per cent lipids, 15 per cent protein and 15 per cent carbohydrates. The company also claims that the high lipid content of RemyLive makes it an ideal way to introduce lipid-soluble micro-nutrients such as vitamin E.

Healthy image

Caluwaerts added that while other starchy foods and grains – wheat in particular – have suffered from image problems in the past, rice has retained its healthy image. He said that manufacturers are keen to tap into the positive public perception of rice.

“Look at the Atkins diet,” said Caluwaerts. “Rice has never had that problem. People perceive it to be a nutritious food.”

Beneo-Remy is part of the Sudzucker-owned Beneo group and, along with Beneo-Orafti and Beneo-Palatinit, has production facilities in Belgium and Italy. Its sales base covers 45 countries.

In addition to food, which accounts for 90 to 95 per cent of its sales, the company also provides rice derivatives to the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, textile and paper industries.