Omya unveils 40% elemental calcium ingredient to fortify infant foods

18 Mar 2020 --- Mineral ingredients producer Omya has unveiled a natural source of calcium for use in infant food applications. Omya Calcipur is made up of very fine particles and can enhance powdered baby products in a safe and healthy way, according to the company. Containing approximately 40 percent elemental calcium, the ingredient can boost the calcium content of end products, in line with the nutritional requirements of babies and toddlers. Its potential applications include finished products such as infant milk powder, drinks, cereals and biscuits targeted at smaller children. The company notes the product may provide a means to reduce calcium supplementation for babies.

“Our Calcipur KP-line provides the high standards for infant nutrition. Combining nutritional benefits with ease of processing, the natural ingredients make it easy to develop innovative and all-round infant food solutions,” says Stefan Lander, Vice President Consumer Goods, Group Sales & Marketing at Omya.

Formula and baby food launches continue to grow, with Innova Market Insights data revealing a 13 percent rise in NPD (Global 2014-2018). In this space, the market researchers also note a 20 percent increase in NPD featuring calcium ingredients within the Baby & Toddlers category (Global, 2015-2019). Moreover, there was an 19 percent average annual growth in Baby & Toddlers category launches with an added calcium claim (Global, CAGR 2015-2019). 

The new product also provides stability, according to Omya and meets the purity requirements of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the E170 standard for calcium as a food additive. 

Omya debuted its Omyafood range, which consists of tailor-made calcium carbonate particles for powdered protein and vitamin premixes in 2018, during the IFT Food Expo in Chicago, US. The ingredients act as flow aids and anti-caking agents for the sports nutrition and vitamin supplement industries.

Innova Market Insights notes a 20 percent increase in NPD featuring calcium ingredients within the Baby & Toddlers category (Global, 2015-2019). Infant nutrition must meet the highest possible quality criteria in respect of product safety, purity and nutritional value. Omya has, therefore, developed Calcipur 115-KP and 95-KP, two grades of natural calcium carbonate particles that provide ideal enhancement of infant formula. Obtained from high-purity sources, the natural minerals have been comprehensively tested and proven safe. Low impurity means exceptionally low levels of aluminium, manganese and cadmium. Omya Calcipur KP contains less than 0.5 ppm lead, with aluminum and cadmium content well below the specified reference values. Omya Calcipur KP is also halal and kosher.

Natural ground calcium carbonate used for the Calcipur KP-line provides a high Ca2+ content combined with good bioavailability, thus providing optimal nutritional value in the end product. With Omya Calcipur containing 40 percent calcium, that means that compared with other available solutions, up to five times less Calcipur is required to obtain the same calcium dose in a product. 

The very fine particle size helps to prevent sedimentation and negative impact on mouthfeel, resulting in higher consumer acceptance. Furthermore, it offers characteristics for ease of processing. Besides being a highly effective anti-caking aid for powders, it can also reduce dusting and help correct pH-values. The natural particles also score with exceptional whiteness for a pure, wholesome and high-quality appearance.

With calcium fortification remaining a popular nutritional trend, many players are active in NPD. Last year, Arla Food Ingredients (AFI) launched a clean label ingredient solution for calcium fortification in beverages. Capolac milk mineral concentrate is gently derived from milk and naturally contains a high content of bio-available calcium and phosphorus, making it a viable alternative to traditional calcium fortification in beverages, according to the company.

Edited by Kristiana Lalou