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Fiberstar, Inc. Joins the Plant-based Foods Association (PBFA)

Fiberstar’s superior line of highly functional citrus fibers which are used to improve the quality of plant-based products drives Fiberstar, Inc. to join the Plant-based Foods Association.

Fiberstar, Inc. joined the Plant-based Foods Association. This organization supports plant-based companies so that they succeed and thrive in the food industry. Since Fiberstar offers a portfolio of nature-based citrus fibers, this organization fits the company's vision. “We look forward to playing a bigger role in the plant-based foods industry.” says President and CEO, John Haen. “The Company’s superior line of highly functional citrus fibers are key to creating quality plant-based products.”

Citrus Fiber in Meat Substitutes & Dairy Alternatives

Fiberstar manufactures Citri-Fi® citrus fiber which is produced from byproduct of the citrus juicing process. Because the patented process is free from chemical modifications, Citri-Fi stays holistic in form. For instance, this ingredient contains both soluble and insoluble fiber. This composition also has high levels of intact pectin which is vital in providing multiple functionalities including water holding and emulsification.

Due to Citri-Fi’s plant-based origin and high functionality, this natural ingredient benefits various plant-based foods. For instance, in meat substitutions, the 100 series, (0.5% -1.0%), creates natural emulsions to improve the juiciness and succulence. In addition, the TX10 citrus fiber line, (0.5% - 2.0%), creates meatier appearance and texture. When using both citrus fiber products together, developers produce high quality meat alternatives that closely resemble their animal counter parts.

Another area of emphasis includes dairy alternative foods such as plant milks, ice creams, yogurts and cheeses. Citri-Fi citrus fiber, at low usage levels (0.2% - 1.0%), creates stable and full body plant milks. Because of its composition, this natural ingredient’s functionality increases in high shear conditions which helps replace other stabilizers. As a result, plant milks have shorter and cleaner label declarations. This natural citrus fiber also improves stability and texture of vegan ice cream and yogurts. Again, Citri-Fi has the potential to replace other stabilizers to clean up labels. Lastly in plant-based cheeses, this natural ingredients provides high emulsification and smooth texture which improves the stability over time.

High Performing Clean Label Food Ingredient

Citri-Fi's labeling options include citrus fiber, dried citrus pulp or citrus flour which resonate well in the natural and clean label markets. This citrus fiber is also non-allergenic, Non-GMO project certified and has no E-number which benefit plant-based foods.

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Meat Substitute Foods: Creating Clean Labels using Citrus Fiber

Creating clean label meat substitutes is possible by using natural ingredients like citrus fiber which holds a lot of water to enhance juiciness, serves as a natural emulsifier and creates the meat-like appearance and texture that consumers expect when eating plant-based meats.

Meat substitute food products popped up in the market like the color neon in the 1980’s. However, unlike neon which faded as fast as it illuminated the fashion world, plant-based food products are now the new normal. Environmental and health concerns steered meat alternatives into the food industry limelight. Because of this, plant-based is a long-term life style choice among consumers. And, this new lifestyle translates into cleaner food labels.

To create meat substitutes that simulate their animal counterparts, food manufacturers use a variety of ingredients. For instance, some of these ingredients include fibers, starches, gums and other stabilizers in addition to plant-based proteins. On the other hand, some ingredients like methyl cellulose quickly emerged as the go-to ingredient in formulators' tool boxes. One of the main benefits is its multi-functionality despite its labeling concerns.

However, today, new natural functional ingredients are available. For example, Fiberstar offers several solutions which create high quality meat substitute foods with cleaner labels.

Citri-Fi® TX Citrus Fiber Builds Texture in Meat Substitutes

The company launched the new Citri-Fi TX10 citrus fiber. This natural ingredient’s large particle size simulates texturized vegetable protein (TVP) when building appearance and texture. For instance using between 1% to 3% allows formulators to create meatier texture while benefiting from the cold binding properties that may be lacking in formulations. And in some instances, developers do not need to use gluten which is a typical binding agent.

Citri-Fi TX10 labeling options include citrus fiber, dried citrus pulp or citrus flour which resonate well in the clean label markets.

Cleaning Labels using Citri-Fi Citrus Fiber Solutions

Another break-thru includes the use of citrus fiber in addition to other natural ingredients to displace methyl cellulose in vegan meats. The Citri-Fi 100 citrus fiber series not only holds large amounts of water but also serves as a natural emulsifier. Due to its insoluble and soluble fiber matrix which contains high levels of intact pectin, this natural ingredient creates emulsions that contribute to meat alternatives succulence. As a result, the meat-free products create the juicy sizzle during the cooking process.

This 100 series in conjunction with Citri-Fi TX10 works together to create the emulsion and meat-like texture that consumers expect in meat substitutes. In addition, these two products work synergistically with three natural solutions to help replace methyl cellulose. As a consequence, these solutions create consumer friendly food labels. The three solutions include ingredients such as starches, enzymes, alginates or gellan gum.

To learn more about these potential clean solutions, please contact Fiberstar technical support team at techsupport@fiberstar.net. The team will cut the development time by recommending the ideal system and demonstrate how to create high quality healthy vegan meat products via technical service, tutorials and videos.

Additional Information

NEW Texturizing Citrus Fiber: Citri-Fi® for Meat Alternatives

Meat Alternatives and Citrus Fiber FAQ

https://www.fiberstar.net/aiovg_videos/citrus-fiber-replace-methyl-cellulose-meats-video/

New Meat Alternative Ingredients: Top 5 FAQ About Citri-Fi® TX BLOG

 

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BLOG: Top 5 Videos Watched in 2019 – Citri-Fi® Citrus Fiber

Over the past year, Fiberstar released several videos to quickly teach food companies how to use Citri-Fi natural citrus fiber. For example, some of these food video categories include: citrus fiber functionality, bakery, meats, sauces, beverages, pet food and meat and dairy alternatives. Please check out the Fiberstar video library HERE! Below are the top 5 videos watched in 2019.

Top 5 Videos Watched in 2019

  1. Citri-Fi Natural Citrus Fiber Emulsification Demonstration

    Natural emulsification ranked as one of the top requests in 2019. However, not many natural food ingredients provide emulsification properties. Check out how Citri-Fi natural citrus fiber opens up to bind and lock in water and oil.

  2. Fiberstar's Citri-Fi Natural Citrus Fiber Overview

    Citrus fiber containing insoluble and soluble fiber with native pectin provides high functionality. As a result, these benefit a variety of food applications. Unlike other citrus fibers that use solvents or chemicals in their process, Fiberstar produces citrus fiber using a patented clean method. Learn more how Citri-Fi citrus fiber trumps others in the marketplace.

  3. Citri-Fi Natural Citrus Fiber in Meat Alternatives

    The hottest topic in 2019 involved creating meat alternatives that simulate their animal counterparts. Given that Citri-Fi natural citrus fiber binds water and oil, developers use this fiber to create high quality vegetarian and/or vegan food products.

  4. Methyl Cellulose Replacement in Meat Alternatives

    Many manufacturers looked for alternatives to methyl cellulose to clean up their labels in 2019. As a matter of fact Citri-Fi when used with other natural ingredients can replace methyl cellulose in meat alternatives. This natural fiber labeling includes citrus fiber, dried citrus pulp or citrus flour. As a result, these labeling options resonate well in the natural and clean label markets.

  5. Citri-Fi Natural Fiber in Emulsified Dressings & Sauces

    Natural emulsification was a key functionality sought out in 2019 specifically in dressings and sauces. Learn how to use citrus fiber to replace chemical emulsifiers in high fat and/or oil food products.

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Clean Ingredient Solutions: Citri-Fi® Natural Citrus Fibers

Fiberstar, Inc. manufactures and sells Citri-Fi natural citrus fibers. These clean ingredient solutions provide high water holding and oil binding which is key to creating natural food products. For instance, meat alternatives require high oil binding and moisture retention to simulate their animal meat counterparts. However, many products using water holding ingredients tend to be mushy or grainy. Citri-Fi holds onto that oil and releases it during the cooking process. As a result, this creates a juicy and sizzling meat alternative that customers expect.

Vegconomist - The Vegan Business Magazine - Article

To learn more about about Citri-Fi's capabilities in other foods, please read the following Vegconomist article - Fiberstar, Inc: "Our Objective is to be the Global Market Leader in Natural and Clean Ingredient Solutions." 

Have questions, please CONTACT US!

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Plant-based News: Fiberstar is a FIE Award Finalist

Fiberstar, Inc., a world leading producer of natural citrus fiber qualifies as a finalist for a Food Ingredients Europe award. One of the awards is given to those offering innovative technologies for plant based foods.  Citri-Fi, a natural citrus fiber holds high amounts of oil. Consequently, this is key in replacing methyl cellulose in meat alternative foods. However, when used with other water holding natural ingredients, this fiber improves texture. And Citri-Fi helps reduce the amount of saturated and/or unsaturated fats used. As a result, manufacturers create juicy foods which consumers expect. Citri-Fi also improves texture and stability in other plant based foods. Check out our usage guide CLICK HERE!

Citri-Fi is allergen-free and gluten-free. This natural fiber is Non-GMO Project certified. Labeling options include citrus fiber, dried citrus pulp or citrus flour which resonate well in the clean label market.

Have questions or need a sample, CLICK HERE!

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