Company insight
he pandemic has brought healthy living into greater focus than ever before. In response to growing consumer demand, new and unique ingredients are fuelling product innovation to support immune health, mental well-being, healthier ageing and weight management. At Fazer, the group launched a long-term R&D programme focused on upcycling innovations for sustainable and natural ingredients. According to Jussi Loponen, vice- president in Fazer Group R&D, the company’s upcycled innovations focus on production side streams that have potential in health and well-being space. Most recently it has developed multiple food solutions for its oat drink processing side stream “oat okara”. Rich in protein, dietary fibre and micronutrients, oat okara is suitable for many food applications such as high protein non-dairy products and texturised/extruded products for meat analogues.
Upcycled grain and plant materials contain essential nutrients and compounds that have scientifically proven health benefits, adds Marika Laaksonen, lead in health and nutrition at Fazer Group. For example, oat okara is especially rich in protein, fibre, iron, zinc and oat specific phytochemicals avenanthramides. Oat protein combined with legume proteins provide a complete plant protein source for vegan and flexitarian diets, and oat fibre helps in maintaining regular gut function. Oat okara is also especially rich in iron and zinc, which are limited nutrients in plant-based diet, while
Grains for gains T
Healthy living is more important that ever, with new and exciting ingredients expected to lead the way for food innovation. Ingredients Insight speaks to industry experts at Fazer to find out more.
oat avenanthramides are studied for their beneficial effects in cardiovascular health and muscle recovery. In addition to health benefits, the environmental impact of the diet is reduced when food loss is decreased and the beneficial nutrients in foods are better utilised for human consumption.
Sustainably-sourced ingredients Consumers may be willing to eat more plant-based diet in an effort to eat responsibly and healthy, but there still remains hurdles in their way, such as plant- protein ingredients’ off-taste and digestibility issues. Oat protein can help to tackle these issued as it is mild in flavour and does not contain poorly digestible oligosaccharides. For some, a nutritious upcycled plant protein ingredient can also matter. Fazer Foodtech offers an upcycled oat protein from oat okara that meets market expectations for high quality, sustainably sourced ingredients and consumer demand for great tasting upcycled ingredients with added health benefits.
Demand for protein is at an all-time high and continues to grow, explains Fazer Cereals’ commercial director, Taija Felt. According to a report by Qualiket Research, the global okara market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.75% from 2022–27, to a value of $4.98bn by 2027. To address its customers’ increasing need for a high- protein, oat-based solution, Fazer has developed Oat Protein SGen, made from upcycled ingredients.
“We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new Oat Protein SGen, which expands our functional oat ingredients portfolio,” says Jekaterina Kuikka, senior key manager in Fazer Cereals. “Our Foodtech portfolio now includes beta-glucan complex, powder proteins, flours and oat oil for food, nutrition, and beauty regimes.”
Good for the body and the mind Fazer’s new Oat Protein SGen is a great addition to its functional oat ingredients portfolio, says Kuikka, as plant-based food is becoming increasingly popular with greater awareness of the impact of animal agriculture on the environment and animal welfare. Meat analogues and dairy alternatives are two examples of plant-based foods that are gaining popularity, plus healthy snacks such as energy bars, breakfast cereals, and sports nutrition products.
There is a strong connection between brain health and healthy living. “Healthy diet that is rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruit and berries, nuts and seeds and favours vegetable oils and fish is associated with brain well-being and cognitive performance,” says Laaksonen. For example, oats contain brain-friendly micronutrients such as zinc and iron that contribute to normal cognitive function and the cognitive development in children. “Oat okara based products in every-day diet would be a good source of iron for children, adolescents and young women that are known to suffer from low iron status, according to recent European studies. Fibres from whole grains and vegetables, fruit and berries feed the gut microbiota. The hot topic in the nutrition research is how the brain senses what the gut feels via the gut-brain axis connections,” Laaksonen concludes. The new addition to Fazer’s portfolio is a testament to its commitment to providing high-quality and innovative products that cater to the diverse needs of its customers. ●
Oat okara is a plant-based protein that is rich in fibre, iron, zinc and oat specific phytochemicals. Ingredients Insight /
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