Ingredion broadens North American organic starch range

17 Jul 2020 --- Ingredion has launched three new organic native starches for the US and Canada at SHIFT20, IFT’s virtual showfloor. The unveiling of Purity Bio 201 organic native corn starch, Purity Bio 301 organic native tapioca starch and Purity Bio 805 organic native waxy rice starch comes as organic food sales continue to rise. They are now outpacing total food sales growth as consumers continue to demand certified products that align with their values and lifestyle.

The Purity Bio range offers food manufacturers a compelling value proposition for converting to a more attractive organic corn, rice or tapioca starch, enabling associated organic claims. The high-performing starches can help manufacturers replace undesirable ingredients in existing products and develop new products with shorter lists of more familiar names to enhance product appeal and cost savings potential.

In food systems, Purity Bio organic native starches impart a bland flavor and can be dropped into the same food processes where its conventional (non-organic) native starch counterparts are used, without any change in functionality or formulation. The new organic native starches are ideal for a wide variety of organic food applications, including yogurt (dairy and plant-based alternatives), soups, sauces, dressings, frozen and refrigerated ready-meals, meats, batters and breading, bakery and confectionery.

“The launch of Purity Bio organic native starches builds on Ingredion’s two decades of experience in clean label leadership,” says Jim Low, Ingredion’s Vice President and General Manager for Systems and Ingredients Solutions. “Our continued investment in an organic supply chain provides food manufacturers with an extensive range of certified organic ingredients to help them attract today’s mindful consumers.”

Purity Bio 201 organic native corn starch and Purity Bio 301 organic native tapioca starch exhibit a smooth, short texture when hot, set to an opaque gel when cooled (7 percent concentration) and form a strong gel after cooled in a cooked dispersion. Purity Bio 805 organic native waxy rice starch offers superior freeze/thaw stability, high viscosity, excellent water-holding capability, strong adhesion and binding properties. It is characterized by a white color and bland flavor. The three starches can be labeled simply as “organic corn starch,” “organic tapioca starch” and “organic rice starch,” respectively.

Organic claims rise
According to Ingredion’s proprietary research on organic packaged foods, organic consumers inspect nutrition labels, ingredient lists and package claims – and make purchase decisions based on what they see. This growth corresponds to consumers’ perception of certified organic products as healthier, more nutritious and better for the environment. 

The study also revealed that 95 percent of organic consumers make purchase decisions based on a products’ ingredients, 94 percent read nutrition labels when deciding which products to purchase and 87 percent pay attention to health-related claims on F&B packages.

“Purity Bio organic native starches deliver functionality in organic food processes in place of traditional native starches – no special preparation or equipment is needed,” adds Patrick O’Brien, Ingredion’s regional platform leader for Clean & Simple Ingredients in the US and Canada. 

“The launch of this product line, with its unique inherent base characteristics, means that food manufacturers now have access to a broader range of certified organic solutions for developing on-trend products that deliver the taste, texture and performance that consumers demand,” he concludes. 

Edited by Elizabeth Green