4/20/2011 --- Kemin is pleased to offer Fortium brand R20 to cereal manufacturers as a natural solution for extending the shelf life of cereals.  Fortium R20 is approved as a natural rosemary flavoring which also has antioxidant activity that increases oxidative stability and improves sensory quality in a variety of foods - now including cereals.

Cereals tend to have higher lipid content, making them more susceptible to lipid oxidation.  Lipid oxidation contributes to a decrease in the nutritional value and sensory quality of food, which often results in decreased shelf life.

Fortium R20 has shown to extend the shelf life in a variety of food applications, including meat and poultry, snack foods and confectionary products.  Recent research demonstrated that Fortium R20 is also effective in maintaining the freshness of products like granola cereals and cereal bars.  In addition to maintaining freshness, Fortium R20 is a natural alternative to synthetic ingredients.

"Kemin is vertically integrated in rosemary, from plant propagation to product development and manufacturing, which puts us in an excellent position to offer a superior, label friendly solution," says Frank D'Hondt, business director in Europe for the Food Technologies division of Kemin Industries.  "This vertical integration and patented manufacturing process means we not only provide natural products that are label friendly, but natural products that are also safe, efficacious and consistent in their performance."

Fortium R20 allows cereal manufacturers to formulate products that meet consumers' expectations for quality and the rising consumer demand for natural products.