Cargill targets sugar reduction with clean label pectin range for fruit-filled pastries

07 Sep 2023 --- Cargill is launching a range of LM conventional (LMC) pectins that deliver a novel texture for fruit-filled food products marketed with “organic” or conventional claims. Pectin is a soluble fiber derived from fruits.

According to the food corporation, the Unipectine LMCplus range caters to low sugar fruit jam and bakery fruit fillings and allows for higher performance gel strength and spreadability compared to standard LMC.

Moreover, LMCplus offers a cost-competitive solution for customers looking to meet macro consumer trends, such as increased interest in sugar reduction and clean label. 

“We know the importance of catering to the demand for more label-friendly options and saw a clear gap in the market,” says Toygun Atlan, product line manager for Pectin at Cargill.

“These pectins, which are made using proprietary technology, go above and beyond to meet our customers’ needs in terms of formulation and texture while remaining relevant to market trends such as sugar reduction, plant-based and label-friendliness.”

Proprietary technology
The launch of the pectin range follows a significant investment in Cargill’s pectin production technology at Malchin, Germany. This “highly sustainable” pectin site uses 70% green energy consumption from electricity and steam and is “very efficient” in reusing water.Cargill’s latest tech allows it to produce LMC pectins through faster and more gentle processing.

“The technology developed at the Malchin facility enables us to produce LMC pectins under faster and more gentle processing conditions, resulting in a high-performing pectin,” says Atlan.

“Through this new process, we are protecting more of the inherent properties of the pectin – in effect, we are creating more label-friendly products that deliver greater value to our customers.”

Recent investments 
Cargill’s recent investments in this space also include the opening of a pectin plant in Bebedouro, Brazil. This facility – conveniently located next to one of the world’s biggest fruit orchards – has enabled Cargill to expand its pectin output volume by some 50%, complementing its three European plants in Redon (France), Malchin, and Milazzo (Italy).

These investments have enabled the company to expand its value-added range in Europe while increasing volumes of LMC sales globally.

It plans to expand the Unipectine LMCplus range to also cover dairy and fruit yogurt applications by early 2024, with the aim of positioning itself as a key leader in the global pectin market.

In other developments, Cargill has harnessed AI-enhanced satellite monitoring for anti-deforestation supply chains.

Edited by Joshua Poole