NETHERLANDS– FrieslandCampina Ingredients (FCI), a subsidiary of Dutch multinational dairy cooperative Royal FrieslandCampina N.V. has unveiled a new portfolio designed to processors make softer protein bars.
According to FCI, the protein bar market in Europe is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 17 percent as from 2015 to 2024 buoyed by rising popularity of the products among consumers.
The company however notes that palatability continues to be a major issue for many formulators.
This company notes is going to have an impact on the bottomline of companies that don’t get it right in terms of texture and flavour, because the “modern consumer is not prepared to compromise on taste or texture”.
“The European sports nutrition bars market holds massive future potential, but that can only really be unlocked by overcoming its toughest problems,” says Floris Daamen, marketing manager of performance and active nutrition at FrieslandCampina Ingredients.
Amid the proliferation of NPD, FCI says that its new portfolio is designed to optimize nutrition, texture, flavor and shelf life.
The new portifolio, according to the company is comprised of The six dairy-derived ingredients including Excellion Calcium Caseinate S, Nutri Whey 800F, Nutri Whey Isolate, Biotis GOS and Excellion EM9, as well as the new Excellion Textpro.
Of the six, the Dutch company notes that Excellion Textpro has been developed to impart a softer mouthfeel in protein bars.
The ingredient is based on pending patented technology, developed specifically for use in high protein bars and contributes to a softer mouthfeel, reducing hardening throughout shelf life.
The company notes that high protein (>30 percent) applications, which represent one in three of all bars in the European market, have a tendency to harden over time.
Thus the new ingredient will be a key solution to addressing the hardening problem that many formulators currently face.
As the sports nutrition market continues its impressive growth, both consumer demands and competition are intensifying.
This means formulating with creativity, tight quality standards and robust health credentials is critical, notes FCI.
Consumer appetite for protein-rich foods and functional bioactives is expected to keep this demand high, at least in the foreseeable future.
Recognizing the potential of the market, Mondelēz International recently acquired a significant majority interest in Grenade, a UK performance nutrition company in the fast-growing high protein bar segment.
“We know that 81 percent of active consumers are looking to increase their protein intake, and bars are a great way of enabling that as they permit high-protein density and are quick and convenient,” affirms Daamen.
“With these solutions, we’re giving brand owners and producers exactly the inspiration and toolkit they need to develop the sports nutrition bar successes of tomorrow.”
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