December 2011/NutraSolutions -- Digestive/gut health ranks as the most popular active health positioning, from global product launch activity tracked by Innova Market Insights in 2010, constituting 26.7% of active health* product launches. The most active market categories for digestive/gut health claims** were yogurt (24.7%), dairy drinks (14%), tea (8.5%), juice & juice drinks (2.3%) and breakfast cereals (2.3%). “With added fiber” and “enriched with fiber” are examples of claims having more front-of-pack prominence for a wider variety of products; specification of the type of fiber used is also now being claimed. Psyllium fiber (derived from the seed husks of a plant called Plantago ovate) is being touted as a fiber source with extra benefits, as it is a good source of soluble fiber. There was a 5% increase in product launches featuring psyllium fiber from 2009-2010, and there is potential for significant growth in the future, with fiber specification expected to be an important trend to appeal to more health-conscious consumers.
* Active health = “food plus” e.g., functional/fortified launches.
** Percentage of all products carrying a digestive/gut health claim.
-- Lu Ann Williams, Innova Market Insights, helpdesk@innovami.com, www.innovadatabase.com

 Enhanced Daily Nutrition Formulation
German health drink company Hans-Günter Berner GmbH & Co. KG has enhanced its Cellagon aurum® brand with the inclusion of PromOat™, the all-natural oat beta-glucan ingredient from Swedish company Biovelop AB. Cellagon aurum is a perfectly balanced liquid formulation, made from more than 70 carefully selected ingredients that work synergistically to help provide consumers with their daily intake of healthy nutrition. The addition of PromOat further boosts Cellagon aurum’s already strong health credentials, by enabling consumers to enjoy the widely recognized and scientifically substantiated health benefits of oats. In particular, PromOat beta-glucan can naturally stabilize and lower blood cholesterol levels, slow the release of sugar into the bloodstream and support healthy intestinal flora. The new Cellagon aurum containing PromOat beta-glucan is available from Cellagon retailers or online at www.cellagon.de. Biovelop AB,  promoat@biovelop.com, www.promoat.com 

 Help for IBS
The human nutrition division of yeast specialist Lesaffre has launched what it says is only the second-known probiotic yeast--and the first to show significant impact on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The patent-pending, proprietary strain is being marketed as Lynside Pro GI+ and joins its Lynside range of yeast products that includes the other non-proprietary, probiotic yeast strain–Boulardii. The specific yeast strain–registered with the French National Collection of Microorganism Cultures as CNCM-3856–had demonstrated gut health and IBS benefits in an intervention trial of 179 people conducted in 2008. Volunteers consuming Lynside Pro GI+ for 8 weeks had intestinal pain and discomfort greatly relieved. Results have been discussed and published at various gastroenterologists’ congresses, such as DDW and UEGW. Lesaffre Human Care, www.lesaffrehumancare.com

 All-natural, High-fiber Whole Grain
ConAgra Mills’® Sustagrain is proprietary, identity-preserved, waxy, hulless barley. It offers flexibility, functionality and special nutritional benefits for product developers formulating for health and wellness. Sustagrain’s benefits include heart health and blood sugar management; as a whole-grain fiber, it is also key for digestive health, with 3-9 times the fiber of other cereal grains. It is a superior choice for whole-grain and high-fiber applications and is available as a fine flour and flakes. Sustagrain boosts the fiber in breads, rice blends, hot and RTE cereals, baked goods, bars and more. For technical assistance in formulating with Sustagrain, call 402-240-4282. ConAgra Mills, www.conagramills.com 

 Natural Oat Fiber
Grain Millers’ Oat Fiber is a natural (non-chemically treated) fiber designed to provide food processors with a functional and label-friendly ingredient. A full line of oat fibers is available for specific applications and can be custom-designed to meet unique products and processes. Grain Millers’ Oat Fiber is also available as certified-organic, providing increased process flexibility and improved labeling claims. It is an excellent source of soluble and insoluble fibers and contains no added flavors. Grain Millers, 800-443-8972, www.grainmillers.com  

 Beneficial Bakery Fiber
ADM’s Fibersol-2’s low viscosity, minimal water absorption and no inherent flavor allow formulators to invisibly top off the fiber level of baking products without affecting formula and taste. Fibersol-2 (digestion-resistant maltodextrin) allows the increase of fiber content in good-for-you baking products, while making sure they still taste great. Compatible with all bakery products, Fibersol-2 increases total soluble fiber; requires minimal formulation and process adjustments; is heat-stable with no added flavor or tastes; is color-neutral; and is compatible with reduced-sugar, sugar-free and no-sugar-added applications. Fiber claims include “good source of fiber” at 2.8g and “excellent source of fiber” at 5.6g of Fibersol. ADM/Matsutani LLC, 800-238-9026, www.fibersol2.com 

 Gluten-free Made Easy
Watson has worked in conjunction with UK-based Fayrefield FoodTec to bring bakers in the U.S. the opportunity to produce gluten-free breads of unmatched quality. Watson’s gluteNONE™ bread mixes are formulated to meet Celiac Association standards. The mixes are adaptable and can be used to make a large variety of finished bread products. The easy-to-use mixes require only yeast, oil and water to be added at the bakery. Complete mixes from Watson shorten time to market, reduce R&D and material testing costs, and eliminate the need to audit multiple vendors. Watson, 800-388-3481, www.watson-inc.com

 Gold Standard
Didion’s HarvestGold Fiber provides consistent-quality, high total dietary fiber corn bran. Its insoluble fiber is label-friendly, economical and low in fat. It is widely used in mixes, breads, cereals, healthy snacks and powdered beverages. The company’s relationship with the farmer, coupled with its state-of-the-art processing facility, ensures “farm-to-you” quality and peace of mind.  Didion Milling, 913-484-3452, jdillon@didionmilling.com, www.didionmilling.com

 Beneficial Prebiotic Fiber
NutraFlora® short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS®) prebiotic fiber is one of the most efficacious prebiotic fibers on the market, with a clinically validated prebiotic effect at only 1.1g/serving. NutraFlora contains 95% short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS)--the purest form of commercially available scFOS. With its high prebiotic efficacy, NutraFlora enhances digestive health, increases calcium absorption and supports bone health. These health benefits are easily obtained with low inclusion levels, providing a cost-effective way to add consumer-friendly label claims. NutraFlora is well tolerated and also delivers numerous functional benefits, such as improved taste and texture, to a wide range of products. NutraFlora is completely soluble, and at 30% the sweetness of sucrose, it helps provide sweetness and complements flavors. GTC Nutrition, www.gtcnutrition.com

 Preventing Gas Discomfort
Validase® AGS, manufactured by DSM Food Specialties and distributed by Centerchem Inc., is a preservative-free, high-activity fungal alpha-galactosidase which prevents gas by breaking down offending carbohydrates. Contributing carbohydrates are galactosyl oligosaccharides, commonly found in beans, broccoli, lettuce and grains. Validase AGS selectively and efficiently breaks down (hydrolyzes) raffinose, stachyose, verbascose and related alpha-galactosides into digestible components (galactose, glucose, fructose and sucrose). It provides advantages in high-dose, proprietary formulations. Centerchem Inc., 203-822-9800, foodingredients@centerchem.com, www.centerchem.com  NS