March 3/Denmark/ADP News Nordic -- Danish food ingredients and enzymes maker Danisco A/S unveiled plans to expand production of its functional fiber Litesse polydextrose in a move it says is needed to meet strong global demand.

The company said it would make "a major investment," without disclosing the exact amount. The new capacity is expected to be operational within a year.

Many food industry analysts expect functional fibers to exceed the average growth in the food market, reaching annual growth of up to 10% over the next five years, Danisco said. The functional fiber market is currently valued at over $1 billion.

From the March 7, 2011, Prepared Foods E-dition