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Ingredion launched Erysta, its first polyol sweetener that comes in a range of crystalline particle sizes for different moisture applications. This sugar alcohol is 70 % as sweet as sugar and has zero calorie content. According to a statement from the company, the sweetener is intended to provide an avenue for manufacturers to place value-add labels on their packaging, such as “no added sugar” and “reduced calorie.”

Although not as sweet as sugar, Erysta has an advantage over other sweetener alternatives in that it mimics the mouthfeel that traditional sugar imparts on products. However, despite the manufacturer claiming that this additive is applicable in products like baked goods, chocolate or fruit preparations, the sweetener features a distinct cooling sensation that is transmitted to the foods that are sweetened with this polyol.

It is also helpful that Erysta can be paired with other sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit to increase the level of sweetness while also masking the off tastes for which these two natural sweeteners are notorious. The sugar alcohol is also valuable for its ability to offer a sugar-like mouthfeel to foods that are sweetened with stevia.

As the leading international supplier trade fair of the food and beverage industry, with its two new segments “Automation” and “Digitalisation”, Anuga FoodTec 2021 (23 to 26 March, Cologne) is creating a compact platform for two of the industry’s top topics and will demonstrate how digital transformation can be implemented today and in the future. At the trade fair, many “Automation” ideas and solutions will be covered in a breadth and depth that is hitherto unknown. Thanks to digitalisation, automated processes can be linked with each other. Accordingly, in the “Digitalisation” product segment, a multitude of companies, which supply the OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) with digitalisation and automation solutions, will be exhibiting.

Blockchain, Big Data, Cloud services, Industry 4.0, RFID, cyber security, M2M communication, artificial intelligence, VR/AR and “digital twins” are just a few of the many examples that will be shown in action at Anuga FoodTec. Safety and legal challenges that go hand in hand with an increased digitalisation are also topics that will be dealt with. Hence, the visitors will be offered an extensive offer of complete solutions as well as modular and cross-process elements from the digitalisation and automation section of the food and beverage industry. Thus, they get a comprehensive insight into how digital transformation can be realised in concrete terms, how processes can be interlinked even further, but also which challenges it involves and how these can be solved.

In accordance with the high relevance of the topics within the industry, the event programme of Anuga FoodTec 2021 also addresses topics that go hand in hand with digitalisation and automation. Among others, lectures on “Digital Factory”, “SmartTec 4Food” and “Integrating existing machines” are planned.

The northern German dairy Uelzena eG will hold a 50 % stake in Biohealth International GmbH (BHI), Münchberg/Germany, and will integrate its nutrineo health food solutions (nutrineo) business division into the joint company. The contract was signed on 13 May 2020. With this move, partners Stefan Gebhardt, Midas Private Equity, and Uelzena eG wish to jointly serve the fast-growing market for nutritional supplements, sports nutrition and dietary foods. A joint investment programme to expand production capacities is in the pipeline.

BHI and nutrineo have a joint turnover of about EUR 45 m and employ more than 200 staff at three sites in Germany and Austria. The new company offers a broad range of product solutions: from powdered blends in various small package sizes to capsules, tablets, ampoules and bars to liquid supplements and ready-to-drink beverages – all standard product categories are available to customers. As a contract manufacturer for brand products and retail, the joint company shall be characterized by its speed and professionalism.

Ocean Spray and Germany-based Foodist have joined forces to launch a new Crunchy Cranberry snack “with the speed of a start-up.” Ocean Spray reportedly sought out Foodist to promote cranberries on the German market. Using Foodist’s “turbo test lab,” its access to target groups and its growing e-commerce platform, the snack was brought to market in accelerated time, taking about six months to complete.

For Ocean Spray’s Crunchy Cranberry, Foodist created a concept of a crispy snack that is made of 100 % natural ingredients, free of additives or flavour enhancers and available in three varieties: Crunchy Cranberry with roasted corn and peanuts, with roasted pumpkin seeds and corn kernels, and with roasted almonds and pretzel balls. The cranberry’s nutritional benefits, the slow baking and special drying procedures as well as the packaging complement shall create a snack experience that meets the needs of the target groups.

Confectionery players can now achieve 50 % sugar reduction in final products without compromising on product taste following Bunge Loders Croklaan’s (BLC) latest creation Sweetolin. The edible specialty oils and fats giant is unveiling its patent-pending, first-of-its-kind total fat system with solutions in confectionery coatings and fillings applications. Pegged as a “breakthrough,” the innovation shall deliver guilt-free indulgence.
The product has an overall functionality to enhance the sugar perception in the final chocolate confectionery coating and pralines. This allows for the reduction of sugar content and helps overcome an undesirable taste profile i.e. any lingering aftertaste. According to BLC, it is the first innovation that targets sugar reduction through fat. Sweetolin shall help confectionery manufacturers looking to urgently redefine their portfolio and strengthen their well-being offerings to adhere to both, market needs as well as industry demands.

Barentz International, a leading global distributor of life science ingredients headquartered in the Netherlands, has expanded its activities in the dynamic world of taste and nutrition. The company announces its acquisition of Ingredients Inc – a successful family business in the USA, and a leading developer and supplier of high-quality ingredients to food (e.g. bakery and confectionery) and beverage, pet food and nutraceutical manufacturers. The acquisition diversifies Barentz’ sources, enabling it to deliver a wider range of high-quality ingredient solutions in the USA market.

Ingredients Inc and Barentz share a proven track-record in developing, formulating, manufacturing and producing ingredients and custom-blends for their clients. Both companies add value by developing new ideas and innovative solutions through their expertise and network of specialized application laboratories. Headquartered in Chicago, and serviced by a network of warehouses, Ingredients Inc strengthens Barentz’ national USA coverage.

The process and packaging technology specialist Syntegon, formerly Bosch Packaging Technology, reported stable business performance in 2019. Sales increased to EUR 1.33 bn (2018: EUR 1.28 bn). Performance remained stable, despite a downturn in the mechanical engineering sector. Sales are divided roughly equally between the company’s two product segments Pharma and Food. Overall, sales are divided roughly equally between the regions of Europe, North and South America, and Asia, with Europe being the company’s largest market.

New orders in the Food segment grew strongly in 2019 and also remained at their usual high level in the Pharma segment. In the wake of the coronavirus crisis, the systems supplier to the pharmaceutical and food industries is seeing increased demand in its services business. After the sale of Bosch to CVC Capital Partners in 2019, the company implemented the formation of a stand-alone organization and the launch of the Syntegon brand without any issues.

Since interpack – the largest trade show in the industry that was originally scheduled for May – has been postponed until next year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Syntegon is presenting its latest process and packaging technology at a virtual trade show from until 13 May 2020. In this context, a special focus is on intelligent and sustainable technologies. Following the introduction of the Syntegon corporate brand at the beginning of the year, the company is also unveiling its new product design for the first time at the event.