Nutrition on-the-go: Naturex set to showcase busy lifestyle food and drink concepts at FiE 2019

18 Nov 2019 --- Specialty ingredients company Naturex, part of Givaudan, is set to showcase its eating on-the-go concepts at Food ingredients Europe (FiE) 2019, to be hosted in Paris, France, December 3-5. The company is tapping into the better-for-you trend with features such as meat-free mini tacos with texturized vegetable protein and floral-infused functional beverages. At its onsite kitchen and barista bar, Naturex invites event visitors to test its new offerings, which address rising consumer demands for healthy and wholesome, yet functional food and beverage products.

Snacking is becoming a central focus of innovation across all food and beverage categories, according to Innova Market Insights. While still subject to evolving variations, the market researcher projects that the snacking trend is here to stay.

Three of the market researcher’s concepts stand out, outlining how increasingly busy consumers demand functional foods on-the-go. These must not compromise their nutritional health or quality of taste and texture of the product:

• Blurring lines: Traditional meal times and occasions disintegrate as snacking is no longer the optional extra.
• Balance is key: Consumers seek healthy, indulgent, yet convenient solutions that fit busy lifestyles.
• Snackification: More brands expand their portfolio by creating snacking versions of their existing products.

As tacos are a well-establsihed favorite within the fast food industry, Naturex is set to show that they can also be a healthy on-the-go meal choice.On-the-go taco
At FiE 2019, Naturex welcomes event attendees to test its mini tacos. The company worked to develop a full taste, color and functional experience for its convenience-seeking customers. Responding to the ever-growing plant-based protein trend, Naturex developed mini cup tacos filled with a meat alternative. The tacos’ texturized vegetable protein filling get its meaty taste from Givaudan flavors and its meat-like appearance from Naturex’s range of coloring foodstuffs. The tacos also provide 15 percent of the recommended daily value of iron with the addition of the whole food fermented mineral Ultimine iron. 

Red or orange oat tortillas provide the base of the tacos, made with oat beta-glucan and colored with vegetable powders. The tacos gain their finishing touches with a choice of two sauces, including a mayonnaise-resembling sauce, stabilized against oxidation with Xtrablend RN, a clean label alternative to ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The other is a passionfruit and jalapeño vegan sauce for consumers keen on clean-label products and natural ingredients.

VegeBrite is made from concentrates of fruits, vegetables, edible flowers and algae. Hipster-style cafe
Naturex also invites event guests to visit its coffee bar. The company will include a cool, refreshing drink made with its new line of floral infusions, featuring chamomile and lavender. The ready-to-drink beverage has a natural peach flavor from Givaudan and is colored with Naturex’s Vegetbrite black carrot. Naturex previously highlighted the trend of natural botanicals with its sports nutrition launch Upletic.

For those craving a warm beverage, the coffee shop will offer an organic Peruvian superfood caffe latte with Andean maca root extract. Visitors can also enjoy a blue moon milk made with Naturex’s Ultimate Blue Spirulina for a tranquil pastel blue color, along with botanical extracts to complete the relaxation experience. The moon milk, a warm milk recipe featuring nutmeg and ashwagandha, then receives a sprinkling of beetroot and spirulina coloring foodstuffs for a bright and inviting final touch.

Also in the beverage sector, at FiE this year, Arla Food Ingredients will feature its 100 percent whey protein isolate ingredient for ISO.Water and Glanbia is set to present its beverage solution for performance drinks at the event. SternVitamin developed SternGut, a mineral premix designed to boost immune health, while Taiyo will be presenting a line of dietary additives to on-the-go drinks.

Edited by Anni Schleicher