Adding several new variants to its portfolio of non-GMO texturizers, Tate & Lyle’s product range includes new gelling starches created to optimize the texture of food products and a bulking starch to help improve texture attributes in sauces, dressings, bakery and snacks.
The non-GMO texturizer-based products are Tate & Lyle’s first to contain non-GMO starches made from dent corn in the US.
Focusing on developing and growing its approved non-GMO project Verified ingredient solutions, Tate & Lyle has introduced new texturants made from non-GMO dent corn including two new gelling starches, Thingum 107 NG and Briogel 1082 NG, as well as bulking starch Merizet 100 NG.
Why non-GMO?
The expansion reflects the increasing demand for non-genetically engineered (non-GE or non-GMO) labelling of food and beverage products, which is influenced by changing consumer preferences, said Werner Barbosa, VP, Global Lead of Texture Innovation and Commercial Development at Tate & Lyle.
Sharing why Tate & Lyle is focusing on introducing more non-GMO ingredients, Barbosa explains that over the past three years, non-GMO product sales have grown by 270% (IRi, 2017).
“To meet this growing consumer demand, Tate & Lyle offers non-GMO options across the company’s fibers, sweeteners and texturants portfolios to assist food and beverage manufacturers with developing products that align with the market needs,” added Barbosa. “However, with increased demand comes increased need.”
Outlining the benefits of utilizing non-GMO ingredients in food and beverages, Tate & Lyle notes the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) position: that foods derived from GM or genetically engineered plants do not present different safety issues than foods derived from traditional plant breeding.
Achieving nutrition and taste
Food and beverage manufacturers are seeking to develop products that appeal to consumers who are looking and opting for non-GMO ingredients in their products. While non-GMO alternatives are sought after, consumers are still expecting an attractive taste and texture, presenting manufacturers with the steer to ensure non-GMO formulations do not compromise on either.
Non-GMO sweetening ingredients are also a core category for nutrition-seeking consumers. Tate & Lyle is providing its Dolcia Prima Allulose, a low-calorie sweetening ingredient, in non-GMO project verified form. The global supplier of food and beverage ingredients states that allulose has “the same clean sweet taste you expect from sugar (sucrose) but without all the calories”.
By adding the non-GMO allulose variant, Tate & Lyle hopes to widen the usage of Dolcia Prima Allulose with consumers, particularly those following a keto diet or those managing diabetes as it has no glycaemic impact.
LATAM appeal
In Latin America, there is a notable appeal for non-GMO ingredients and product alternatives. In Mexico, Brazil and Colombia, for instance, Barbosa points out that 65% of consumers find the claim "no genetically modified organisms (GMOs)" appealing.[1]
Also, 28% of Brazilian consumers agree with the statement “products with GMO ingredients are bad for your health”. Consumers aged between 16-34 years old are more likely to agree with this statement (36%) compared to those aged 35 and over (22%).[2]
The House of Representatives in Mexico has approved a new regulation for food labeling, which imposes a frontal signaling for products with high sugar and saturated fat content, in order to reduce high overweight and obesity rates, Barbosa states, highlighting that: “The bill requires food packages and products that contain GMO ingredients to carry labels that highlight Health Secretariat guidelines, specifying high contents of sugar, sodium or saturated fat.” [3]
Synonymous with the clean label trends, non-GMO ingredients are particularly popular in Latin America, with non-GMO claims witnessing the greatest increase among product launches with clean label claims, up 13% between 2014 and 2018, market intelligence provider, Mintel reported.The Latin American regional growth of new product launches with the non-GMO clean label claim was the highest around the globe, at 39%, between 2014-2018.[4]
Importance of trust
Emphasizing its proprietary research results with Lightspeed/Mintel from 2017, Tate & Lyle state that 76% of consumers around the world claim to read ingredient labels. Therefore, it is vital that food and beverage producers provide clean label items that buyers can trust.
“By broadening its line of non-GMO ingredients Tate & Lyle is adding another level of trust to its extensive portfolio, ensuring that our customers can respond to the clean label trend,” added Barbosa.
Aiming to add to customers’ “inventory of products bearing the Non-GMO Project Verified Certification”, Barbosa emphasized the importance of non-GMO labeling on packaging: “One of the most effective ways to reassure consumers that the foods and beverages they purchase are non-GMO is to offer products that display the Non-GMO Project Verified on-pack seal.”
[1] GlobalData Consumer Survey, Q3 2019
[2] Healthy Eating Trends - What Products and Ingredients are Catching Consumers' Attention - Brazil - September 2019
[3] Against All Harms, Mintel, December 2019
[4] Clean Label includes one or more of the following attributes Organic, Natural, Non-GMO, No artificial sweeteners, No artificial flavours, No artificial preservatives, Mintel GNPD 2014-2018