IFT First Review
BENEO gets to the root of healthy innovations
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FT First 2024 showcased cutting-edge innovations in the food industry. Among the standout exhibitors was BENEO, presenting their comprehensive and natural solution package for weight management at Booth S737. Their display highlighted the importance of effective weight management, noting the alarming statistics from the National Centre for Disease Control (CDC) that indicate 1 in 5 children and 2 in 5 adults in the US are obese. This condition costs the US healthcare system approximately $173 billion annually. In an engaging interview conducted by Kiran Grewal, Editor of Kennedy’s Confection, with Kevin Reed, Customer Technical Support Manager at BENEO, and Juliana Hirata, Director of Sales for the USA and Canada, the conversation centred around BENEO’s strategic approaches to addressing health trends, particularly in the confectionery and bakery sectors.
Addressing health trends with natural solutions Juliana Hirata emphasised the significance of digestive health, stating that BENEO’s chicory root fibres, such as Orafti® Inulin and Oligofructose, are proven prebiotics. Recognised by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), these plant-based fibres support gut health and have been trending in the market, especially with the rise of prebiotic sodas.
22 Kennedy’s Confection July 2024
The plant-based trend continues to gain momentum. BENEO’s portfolio includes plant-based proteins from rice and fava beans, providing valuable amino acid profiles. These proteins are crucial for people on weight loss journeys, as they help counteract muscle loss while promoting a high-quality diet. The weight management trend is particularly noteworthy. BENEO offers various natural solutions, such as Palatinose™ (isomaltulose), a low-glycemic carbohydrate that helps manage blood glucose levels and reduces cravings. Additionally, prebiotic fibres trigger the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), positively affecting metabolism and food intake. Hirata highlighted, “We do have different ways and approaches, a more holistic view on how to keep or reduce your body weight with different ingredients. One of the main ones is the use of fibres and Palatinose™, which is a low glycemic sugar and has an impact on GLP-1 release.”
Enhancing confectionery and bakery products Kevin Reed explained how BENEO’s chicory root fibre can significantly reduce sugar content in confectionery products: “Our chicory root fibre is two calories per gram, so it’s half the calories of sugar. You get the health benefits of having fibre in there as well, so it’s a reduced sugar type of application that fits very well with our product offerings.” In the bakery sector, Reed discussed the
L-R Kevin, Juliana and Kiran
At IFT First Expo 2024, BENEO showcased natural solutions for weight management, highlighting the crucial need for effective strategies in combating obesity. Kiran Grewal speaks with Juliana Hirata and Kevin Reed on the stand.
versatility of BENEO’s ingredients: “We do have our fava bean ingredients, so we can boost protein content in a lot of bakery applications. Gluten-free options as well with fava bean and rice ingredients. With Palatinose™ you can replace sucrose, so replace sugar with a better- for-you carbohydrate source. You can get more sustained energy release and depending on the application, some GLP-1 benefits as well.” He also addressed potential challenges: “Palatinose™ is a browning-producing sugar, so it will cause some browning Maillard reaction that is also prevalent with sucrose. Sweetness will be a little reduced, but that’s typically not too much of an issue, especially if the consumers are open to high-intensity sweeteners to kind of round out the sweetness profile.”
Hirata and Reed both stressed the importance of meeting market demands for high-quality, nutritious, and sustainable products. BENEO’s sustainable practices, such as using 100% of raw materials and producing locally to reduce transportation needs, align with the growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible products.
Hirata discussed the future of plant-based
trends, noting, “Consumers now want plant- based products, but they really want good ones. In the past, they were like, ‘Okay, that’s all I have,’ and now there are many options. So we really have to work on the texture and taste of those products. That’s where BENEO can help a lot.”
KennedysConfection.com
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