NZ food ingredient gives Italian giant the edge

17 October 2007
Unique NZ food ingredient gives Italian giant the edge

A European multinational food company has confirmed that New Zealand food investment is paying off.

The Italian launch of a range of foods containing the key New Zealand functional food ingredient, Glucagel™ is an excellent commercial outcome for food research in this country, Crop & Food Research CEO Mark Ward says.
Glucagel™ is a high purity barley beta-glucan developed and marketed by Crop & Food Research subsidiary company, GraceLinc. It is the key ingredient in two premium, cardiovascular health targeted products just launched in Europe by the large Italian food company Barilla.

“This product is the result of a new technology developed by NZ scientists over many years,” Mr Ward says.

In the early 1990s scientists based at both Crop & Food Research and Industrial Research Limited recognised the potential of a new method of producing a barley extract, which was completely natural and which would produce a product of high purity.

"The scientists’ understanding of the importance of the new technology was backed by Crop & Food Research, which undertook the long-term funding commitment needed to bring the potential product to a point where it could be sold commercially. The New Zealand Government also invested in the product through the Equity Investment Fund.

“I congratulate everyone who has had the vision to back Glucagel™ and see the value to New Zealand’s economy of long-term scientific and commercial investment,” Mr Ward says.

“There is a demand from food companies both here and overseas for ingredients that can be added to foods to provide health benefits without changing the sensory appeal of foods or the production process. Glucagel™ will continue to be the answer for many of these companies as it is a natural product, naturally extracted and sits within a category that can show scientifically proven beneficial health properties.”

GraceLinc CEO John Morgan says Barilla evaluated a wide range of competitive offerings before selecting Glucagel™ and are including a heart health claim on the packaging of their new bread and brioche, which is part of their new Alixir™ healthy food range.

He says Barilla is using this natural New Zealand product for a number of reasons.

“It is a very pure ingredient which is technically superior to others in its category. Beta-glucans are soluble fibres extracted from barley which can help lower cholesterol and act as a prebiotic helping digestive function.”
The launch of the Barilla Alixir™ health food range marks a milestone in the commercial development of Glucagel™. However, Barilla is not the only international company purchasing the high-purity barley beta glucan.

An Australian beverage company has also purchased Glucagel™ for a new brand of healthy drink and a number of other international companies are assessing its potential. The Australian drink is currently available to Australian consumers.
“It is hugely rewarding to see the product appear on the ingredients lists of mainstream consumer products in countries like Australia and Italy,” Mr Morgan says.

“I think New Zealanders should be proud of the effort that has gone into developing a product of this quality. It underlines our country’s ability to develop high-end foods and ingredients.

“I’d like people to appreciate the excellent and long-term scientific endeavour which is behind the development of a product like this.”

ENDS

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