January 18/St. Louis/Professional Services Close-Up -- CP Kelco announced that Kelcogel Gellan Gum has been listed as an allowable ingredient for use in organic foods and beverages by the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) under the guidelines established by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).

According to a release, the CP Kelco regulatory and technical groups worked closely with the committee members of the NOSB to make sure they had the proper information to make this ruling. "We are very excited to be able to now offer the unique benefits of Kelcogel gellan gum to customers who produce organic food and beverage products," says Kathleen Deely, Americas Food Marketing manager.

The company noted that Kelcogel gellan gum has suspension and versatile gelling performance that allows food and beverage manufactures to develop products with attributes demanded by today's consumers. Approved products are non-GMO, Kosher and Halal certified and can be used in vegetarian applications.

From the January 24, 2011, Prepared Foods E-dition