Cargill introduces exceptional grade sunflower lecithin

Topcithin SF is available in the high level grade “Premium” as offered by the Cargill Lecithin Toolbox, which is a grading system that helps food processors navigate through the complexities involved in quality specifications.

19/11/08 Cargill is introducing Topcithin SF, a clean label, non-GM, sunflower lecithin that does not require labeling as an allergen. Topcithin SF is commercialized in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, with distribution in the Americas following soon.

Topcithin SF is available in the high level grade “Premium” as offered by the Cargill Lecithin Toolbox, which is a grading system that helps food processors navigate through the complexities involved in the quality specifications of lecithins.

Cargill’s product and segregation systems are designed to address the risk of inadvertent cross-contamination by GM/soy/rape or other potential allergens. Cargill does this by maintaining full control of the supply chain from the sunflower seeds being crushed in the company’s Donetsk, Ukraine, plant to final processing on a dedicated line in Vigonza, Italy.

Manufacturers will not only have a clean label, non-GM lecithin, but one that matches soy lecithin in functionality, taste and color. TopcithinSF can also replace synthetically produced emulsifiers, such as ammonium phosphatide and citric acid esters of mono and di-glycerides, without compromising on performance, taste or appearance.

“Sunflowers are readily recognized and accepted by consumers, and as a consequence, SF lecithin gives manufacturers an attractive alternative to soy lecithin, without requiring allergen labeling,” said Lorna Macfadyen, confectionery category manager, Cargill Texturizing Solutions, Europe/Middle-East/Africa. “TopcithinSF is an ideal solution for producing chocolate, chewing gum, sauces or instantized foods offering smoothness, fine texture and good emulsifying properties.”

For European manufacturers looking to reduce import miles, the sunflowers for Topcithin SF are only grown in Europe. Production of the crude sunflower lecithin is done in Cargill’s plant in Donetsk, Ukraine. The sunflower hulls are then used in the Donetsk facility to produce steam and energy to run the plant. Purification and standardization takes place at the Vigonza plant in Italy.