Tate & Lyle Highlights PROMITOR Potential

The average adult diet in the USA does not contain the DRI of fibre. Current intake for men and women ranges from 12 to 16 grams per day, whereas the DRI stands at 25 grams per day for women and 38 grams per day for men.

07/08/07 Tate & Lyle has showcased their latest branded ingredients at the IFT in Chicago with the introduction of Promitor Resistant Starch and Soluble Corn Fiber. The company demonstarted a mini BBQ pork sandwich, cheese puffs, chocolate pudding, chocolate chip cookies, sandwich cookie and flavored water with PROMITOR fibers, all meeting a “good” or “excellent source of fiber” claim.

PROMITOR Resistant Starch will help manufacturers add more fibre to baked products and snacks (including cereal, crackers, cookies, bread and pasta), with no impact on taste or texture. Resistant starch is a starch that “resists” digestion and acts as a dietary fibre.

The average adult diet in the USA does not contain the daily recommended intake (DRI) of fibre. Current intake for men and women ranges from 12 to 16 grams per day, whereas the DRI stands at 25 grams per day for women and 38 grams per day for men.

Tate & Lyle’s research found that over two-thirds (67%) of US adults (64% Europe) acknowledge that fibre helps to promote digestive health and the immune system, with the majority recognising fibre’s ability to manage hunger and so potentially help in managing body weight. The research also found that 57% parents (54% Europe) believe fibre to be useful in maintaining children’s health, however, just 12% of US adults and 15% in Europe hold the belief that products that help you maintain digestive health and the immune system ‘taste good’.

Harvey Chimoff, Director of Marketing, Americas said, “A typical diet in the US and Europe does not meet the daily recommended intake of fibre and this may be linked to low consumer expectations surrounding the taste and texture of high or added fibre products. Our research shows that consumers clearly understand that fibre can be good for their health. But we also know that the consumers’ eating experience must be about the product they’ve chosen not the fibre that’s in it.”

PROMITOR Resistant Starch is a prebiotic fibre that is well-tolerated and has a low glycemic response. Depending on legislation, it can be labelled as a corn starch/starch and may be suitable for products making a “natural” claim. Manufacturers can also use the PROMITOR logo front of pack to highlight its inclusion.

Jim Miller, Director of Product Management, Americas, said, “PROMITOR Resistant Starch is a step change in resistant starch technology. Other resistant starches do not survive well in extreme process conditions. Because of its superior process stability, PROMITOR Resistant Starch can be used in smaller quantities to deliver better results. This means PROMITOR Resistant Starch is cost-efficient and has less impact on the formulation than other products currently on the market.”

PROMITOR Resistant Starch also has very low water holding capacity, making it easy to formulate with when substituting for wheat flour in low moisture systems such as crackers and cookies. PROMITOR Resistant Starch has the added benefit in fried goods of reducing oil pick-up by 15-20%, which means fewer calories and less fat in the end product.

Tate & Lyle’s department of Health and Nutrition Sciences has worked with Leatherhead Food International to determine the prebiotic properties of PROMITOR™ Resistant Starch. This formed part of a wider research programme which includes a series of clinical studies on the PROMITOR range of fibres in partnership with a number of leading internationally recognized experts on fibre and health at various academic institutions.

Meanwhile Tate & Lyle also introduced PROMITOR Soluble Corn Fiber. Made from corn, the new fiber will initially be launched in the US, with other geographies to follow.

Typical diets in the US and Europe do not meet the national recommendations for daily intake of fiber. PROMITOR Soluble Corn Fiber offers manufacturers a real opportunity to help consumers boost their fiber intake with innovative products that deliver the right texture and all the taste people expect from their favorite brands. It will help manufacturers add fiber to a wide range of foods and beverages including cereal coatings, snacks, soups, sauces & dressings, jams, fillings, puddings, confectionery, beverages and dairy products.

PROMITOR Soluble Corn Fiber is a prebiotic fiber1 that is well-tolerated and has a low glycemic response. The new fiber has excellent process and acid stability and dissolves clear in applications. It is extremely easy to formulate with and can be used to replace traditional sweeteners such as liquid and dry corn sweeteners, sucrose, and sugar alcohols. Furthermore, at only 2kcal/g, PROMITOR Soluble Corn Fiber can be used to reduce calories while maintaining the texture and body imparted from nutritive sweeteners.

Jim Miller, Director of Product Management, Americas, said, “Our goal was to deliver our customers, and consumers, high levels of fiber fortification in new product areas, with out any impact on taste or texture. With its exceptional clarity, low viscosity, and process stability, PROMITOR Soluble Corn Fiber can be used in products where people wouldn’t expect to find fiber such as sauces and dressings, or clear beverages. This will enable consumers to incorporate more fiber in their everyday diet.”

PROMITOR Soluble Corn Fiber offers consumer friendly labeling options and manufacturers can also use the PROMITOR logo front of pack to highlight its inclusion.