Natures Crops, Stratum Nutrition and CoreFX Ingredients partner on ahiflower seed oil powder

13 Oct 2022 --- Natures Crops International has partnered with distributor Stratum Nutrition and lipid drying tech company CoreFX Ingredients to provide clean-tasting and allergen-free ahiflower seed oil in a powder form. The offering will allow formulators to give consumers the benefits of the oil’s omega 3s and omega 6s in innovative formats.

“Many food brands want to bring the recognized cardio, brain, skin, immune and joint health benefits from omega fatty acids to their products,” Greg Cumberford, VP of science and regulatory at Natures Crops International, tells NutritionInsight.

“As more brands and their customers see products containing ahiflower omegas, Natures Crops will be there to support them.”

“This collaboration with Natures Crops and Stratum Nutrition has been inspiring for everyone involved and shows what can be achieved when like-minded organizations get together,” says Denis Neville, CEO and founder at CoreFX Ingredients. 

Neville believes launching the licensed ingredient will make a positive difference in the world of nutrition.Ahiflower seed oil is naturally rich in omega 3s and omega 6s.

Better than fish and better for fish
Taken from the plant, Buglossoides arvensis, ahiflower oil is rich in omega 3 stearidonic acid and omega 6 gamma-linolenic acid and has been shown to support immunity, skin, heart and brain health. 

“Consumers will experience similar health benefits from consuming marine and algal omegas – and in more formats like snack bars, post-exercise, protein and meal replacement powders and chocolates that have been largely off-limits due to shelf stability and related sensory challenges,” Cumberland highlights. 

“This also expands opportunities in kids’ lunchbox products like fruit leathers and squeezable emulsions where typically omega 3s are not used.”

Moreover, Cumberland notes that the company’s ahiflower is B-Corp Certified, meaning that the non-profit organization B Lab has scored them at 80% or higher in social and environmental performance and transparency.

“Every regeneratively grown acre of ahiflower oil has the same amount of omega 3 rich oil as 450,000 anchovies,” Cumberland stresses. “To put it another way, every 1 kg of ahiflower oil offsets the need to take 140 kg of small oily fish like anchovies, sardines, or menhaden from marine ecosystems that marine mammals and seabirds rely on for survival.”Distributing the oil in powder form will help boost the nutritional value of products like protein bars and meal replacement shakes.

Convenience is key
According to the companies, the dry oil is “free-flowing” with a uniform consistency, allowing it to blend wholly and provide a rich and smooth mouthfeel for consumers when the convenience and flexibility of a powder may be more advantageous.

Moreover, they state that it is vegan and vegetarian diet friendly and free from all allergens listed by the US Food and Drug Administration.

“This is the first 100% plant-based cold water dispersible, clean label formula presenting the most complete and balanced omega 3 and 6 fatty acids married to a recognized digestive wellness-enhancing prebiotic – all in a highly food-friendly format that offers exceptional per-serving value to product formulators,” Cumberland elaborates.

“Partnering with Natures Crops fits with our purpose of nourishing and nurturing bodies and minds by delivering health through nutrition – our powder technology will not only deliver uniquely rich plant-based omegas in a convenient form but also in a highly functional form,” says Neville. 

By William Bradford Nichols