GNT extends Exberry Organics portfolio with powder ingredients for dry applications

11 Jul 2022 --- Coloring food supplier GNT has expanded its selection of Exberry Organics Coloring Foods with a new range of powder products for dry applications. The move comes amid a drive in demand for healthy and sustainable foods and beverages, says the company, as well as an increased interest in organic ingredients.

Based on the concept of coloring food with food, Exberry Organics are created from edible fruit, vegetables and plants using traditional physical processing methods. They are certified organic by EU regulations and qualify for clean and clear label declarations.

Optimal performance in dry applications
According to GNT, the new Exberry Organics powders have been specifically developed to deliver optimal performance in dry applications such as instant beverages, seasonings and cake mixes.

Speaking to FoodIngredientsFirst, Maartje Hendrickx, market development manager at GNT Group, says these plant-based color concentrates provide “new opportunities to create interesting, fresh and appetizing products.”

The newly expanded Exberry Organics range allows organic brands to achieve exceptional shades in almost any F&B application, says GNT.Exberry offers the ultimate in clean label colors, she continues. “Our concentrates are made from edible fruits, vegetables and plants using only traditional, physical processing methods. As a result, they’re considered to be ingredients rather than additives in the EU and do not require E numbers.”

 They are available in addition to the existing Exberry Organics liquid-based range, which features yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, blue and green options. 

Exberry liquids typically provide the ideal solution for beverages, confectionery and dairy applications.

Building trust is paramount
With health and environmental concerns becoming increasingly important to shoppers, global demand for organic food and drink is rising, underscores Hendrickx. 

“It’s about building trust with the consumer and helping them to understand where something comes from. For example, if you have a red cake, the label says the color comes from “carrot and blackcurrant concentrate,” which provides instant reassurance. If the ingredient listing is unclear or unfamiliar, it’s difficult to build that trust.”

“Coloration is vital to achieving shelf appeal, helping products stand out from the crowd and look appetizing. Modern consumers also want visually exciting food and drink that can stir emotions and create a sense of joy. Exberry Organics allows brands to tick every box,” she asserts. 

Organic trending
Moreover, organic is still a big trend in the food industry. 

According to Innova Market Insights, the use of organic ingredients in food and beverage launches is increasing globally, featuring a 5% year-over-year growth when comparing 2020 and 2021 launches.

FoodIngredientsFirst recently reported that organics are gaining ground from conscious consumption in ready-to-drink beverages to lighter alcohol trends and the timely high demand for organic whey and lactose in the infant formula space.The advantages of using powders include the ability to store them at ambient temperatures and that they can be shipped at a lower cost than liquids. 

“To achieve organic status, food producers need fully organic certified ingredients which they can impart in their recipes. Being able now to offer a broad range of coloring foods in both liquid and powder formats is unique in the market,” Hendrickx concedes. 

The liquid and powder formats each have their advantages. 

GNT has offered liquid-based Exberry Organics colors for a long time. She adds that the high-brix concentrates are easily solubilized and they’re simple to use in various formulations. 

The powders, spray-dried from liquid raw materials, are designed for applications where moisture content needs to be limited, such as instant beverages and seasonings.

They can also be used by manufacturers whose process equipment is designed for handling powders rather than liquids, notes the company. 

By Elizabeth Green