Danisco has taken natural food protection another step further by converting its entire MicroGARD and NovaGARD ingredient lines to gluten-free, in response to growing consumer demand. This change follows their earlier pledge to use only rBST-free Non-Fat Dry milk in all their milk-based formulations.
With this latest move, the company’s MicroGARD natural fermentates – and its NovaGARD antimicrobial blends, provide the same functionality while allowing them to conform to “gluten-free” regulations. These products are now available in all regions where MicroGARD and NovaGARD are used today.
“Gluten-free products continue taking more shelf space at retail and appearing on more restaurant menus,” says Matthew Hundt, Global Product Manager, MicroGARD, Cultures Division. “The United States has perhaps the largest gluten-free foods market in the world, with annual sales estimated at more than $1.5 billion in a free-from market worth over $3 billion. At Danisco, our job is to help food manufacturers respond quickly to harness the growth opportunity that demand represents.”
Although the prevalence of celiac disease in the U.S. is not known, by some estimates, one in every 133 consumers in the U.S. and the U.K. suffers from this intolerance to gluten. According to Mintel's Food & Drink April 2010 Pizza report, in a relatively short space of time, the market for gluten-free foods has increased significantly, with room for more growth.
In fact, the gluten-free food and beverage sector experienced double-digit growth in 2009, according to data released earlier this year by Innova Database, which tracks new food and drink launches globally.
MicroGARD fermentates and NovaGARD antimicrobial blends are part of Danisco’s Care4U range of natural food protective solutions, which also includes Nisaplin and Natamax purified antimicrobials, HOLDBAC protective cultures, and GUARDIAN natural extracts. For more information, or to contact a Danisco representative for assistance with a specific formulation, go to www.daniscocare4u.com.
