2 May 2012 --- Global clean label starch expert, National Starch Food Innovation, part of Corn Products International, has received a Certificate of Patent from the Japanese patent office protecting the proprietary technology used to produce its functional native starches under the Novation and Novation Prima brand names. The range consists of more than 20 starches, including organic options, which provide the functionality of modified starch, but can be labelled in Japan and other parts of the world as food and not food additives.

Increasing consumer demand in Japan for clean label or additive-free foods has meant that food manufacturers have begun to use ingredients such as Novation starch to enable them to make appropriate positioning and labelling claims. Having launched the Novation starch range over 15 years ago, National Starch has the broadest range of clean label starches on the market and offers customers expert formulation support and consumer insights.

Jeffrey P. Laurent, Vice President, General Manager, Asia Pacific, National Starch Food Innovation / Corn Products International commented: “We are thrilled to have received patent protection in Japan for our pioneering Novation starch technology. The capital investment, research, development and intellectual resources it took to develop the technology and build on it to create a broad range of ingredients was significant. We introduced this unique ingredient range to the Japanese market several years ago and are pleased to continue to do so with patent protection. What’s more, we recently conducted independent consumer research in Japan on this topic, the results of which will enable us to assist our customers in meeting changing consumer requirements in the field of clean label food development and positioning.”

With a choice of instant and cook-up options, Novation starches can be used to enhance the quality of a broad range of additive-free or organic foods – from ready meals, soups and sauces and bakery fillings to dairy products and fruit preparations. Novation starches provide high levels of functionality, including heat tolerance, shear and shelf life stability. They also offer a neutral flavour profile and pH, good viscosity and appealing textures.