Z Trim and USDA Team Up to Promote Healthier Food Applications

Z Trim is currently working with USDA-ARS to strengthen the intellectual property surrounding the Z Trim products and process under a formal Cooperative Research And Development Agreement (CRADA).

13 Jul 2010 --- Z Trim Holdings, Inc., manufacturer of multifunctional dietary fiber ingredients for the food industry, announced that its corn fiber ingredient will be featured in a cheesecake display at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) booth (#3229 in the Process Expo) at the Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting & Food Expo (IFT AMFE), July 18-20, 2010 in Chicago. Samples of the cheesecake will be made available to attendees of both the IFT show and the Process show at the Z Trim booth (#3454 at the IFT Expo).

The fat replacement and cost reduction attributes of multifunctional Z Trim will be demonstrated in the cheesecake application via the replacement of a portion of the cream cheese, resulting in up to 30% reduction in the total calories from fat with no discernable difference in taste or texture. Further, the cost per pound of this finished cheesecake is reduced by 18% by substituting Z Trim fiber and water for the 30% portion of the cream cheese.

"Z Trim corn fiber has unique functional properties that enable it to have high water-holding capacity, smooth texture and neutral taste," said Dr. Mukti Singh of the Functional Foods Research Unit of the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research of the USDA-ARS, Midwest Area. "Our work at NCAUR has shown that Z Trim corn fiber significantly increases the moistness, density and cohesiveness related to mayonnaise, salad dressings, baked goods and tenderness and juiciness in meat products."

Z Trim is currently working with USDA-ARS to strengthen the intellectual property surrounding the Z Trim products and process under a formal Cooperative Research And Development Agreement (CRADA). The USDA-ARS and Z Trim have a proud partnership history, dating back to 2002 when the exclusive global rights to manufacturing and marketing of Z Trim products were acquired by Z Trim Holdings, Inc.  The patent for Z Trim was originally filed by Dr. George Inglett, Research Scientist for USDA-ARS in 1996 (U.S. Patent 5,766,662).

"We're very proud of our association with USDA-ARS," said Steve Cohen, CEO of Z Trim Holdings, Inc. "The USDA provides great innovation and leadership in the field of healthier food products, and Z Trim multifunctional fibers are outstanding examples," he added. "We look to build upon and strengthen our relationship with such an outstanding organization."