Rescuing food waste: Nutrava Citrus Fiber scores upcycled certification as “spent ingredients” gain traction

19 Oct 2023 --- CP Kelco’s Nutrava Citrus Fiber has been certified as an upcycled ingredient by the Upcycled Food Association, which offers the first third-party certification program worldwide.

The association defines upcycled products as those containing food that otherwise would not have gone to human consumption, are procured and produced using verifiable supply chains and positively impact the environment. 

Across the F&B industry, there is increased interest and growth in upcycling and utilizing by-products of otherwise wasted food products. This has recently gained traction, with so-called “spent” ingredients moving into the spotlight. 

Speaking to Food Ingredients First, Eric Reynolds, director of global environmental health, safety and sustainability, says manufacturers want to lessen their impact on the environment. 

“Upcycling is a foundational way to accelerate to a circular economy, which is inherently more sustainable than the traditional, linear, take-make-dispose model. With Nutrava Citrus Fiber, CP Kelco gives new life to the citrus juice industry’s byproducts by turning them into functional food ingredients. Upcycling will continue to grow as suppliers seek sustainable opportunities that help the environment, our communities and people everywhere.”

“It was important to us to certify our commitment to upcycling as part of our zero-waste philosophy,” Reynolds continues.

“We are proud to be the first in the industry to have our citrus fiber recognized as an Upcycled Certified ingredient,” adds William Letsinger, senior director of Strategic Growth Initiatives for CP Kelco. 

Across the F&B industry, there is increased interest in upcycling and utilizing byproducts of otherwise wasted food products.“Our team is committed to achieving a near-wasteless lifecycle for Nutrava Citrus Fiber.”

Utilizing spent citrus peels 
Nutrava Citrus Fiber is upcycled from spent citrus peels, an abundant by-product of the juice industry near the company’s manufacturing facility in Brazil. 

Leftover materials from the citrus fiber production process are repurposed. Nutrients in the process water are used to fertilize local crops, such as sugar cane. 

Nutrava Citrus Fiber is a highly versatile food ingredient that can be listed simply as citrus fiber on the label. It also does not contain e-numbers, as previously reported by Food Ingredients First. 

“In our industry’s quest for clearer labeling and product transparency, citrus fiber is an ingredient that is easy for consumers to understand,” Letsinger previously explained. 

“We can help reformulate to increase revenue by replacing or reducing difficult-to-source ingredients with an easy-to-use ingredient that will not interrupt the manufacturing process and often decrease the overall cost of a recipe.”

Nutrava Citrus Fiber also supports dietary fiber intake while providing emulsion stability, viscosity, mouthfeel enhancement, syneresis control and water-holding capacity. Easily recognizable by consumers, it can benefit applications as diverse as baked goods, beverages, condiments, sauces, dairy, dairy alternatives, and meat and meat alternatives. 

It can support replacing or reducing ingredients, including traditional emulsifiers and stabilizers, starch, egg, butter, xanthan gum, tomato solids and fruit pulp.

Moves in upcycling & sustainability 
Another fiber ingredient recently achieved an upcycled certification verification from the Upcycled Food Association. Earlier this month, Brightseed’s Bio Gut Fiber, a bioactive-containing fiber ingredient for functional foods and beverages, gained the status as well as a non-GMO project verification from the association. 

The functional fiber ingredient is made from upcycled hemp hulls and aims to support gut health.The Upcycled Food Association offers the first third-party certification program worldwide.

Researchers have recently spotlighted algae and jackfruit seeds as having potential in the upcycling game. 

Meanwhile, Danone is funding projects across the Americas that promote nutrition and sustainable food systems. The five winners — each receiving US$50,000 — included a food upcycling program.

Nestlé UK & Ireland and Cargill also unveiled a regenerative agriculture initiative to recycle cocoa shells from a confectionary site in York, UK, into a low-carbon fertilizer. A two-year trial, using a process from CCm Technologies, will determine the fertilizer’s performance on crop production, soil health and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. 

By Elizabeth Green