BENEO, one of the leading manufacturers of functional ingredients, presented a range of smart ingredients at Food Ingredients China (FIC) 2013 that can help to overcome the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in China and Asia. FIC was held in Shanghai from 26th to 28th March 2013. The prevalence of NCDs is rapidly increasing as well as their impact on people’s quality of life. NCDs include being overweight, obesity, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis or cardiovascular diseases, as well as gut and dental diseases. In China NCDs accounted for 83 percent of all deaths in 2010 according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The WHO also found that more than 20 percent of the nation is overweight or obese. Additionally the highest number of people – 90 million in 2011 – with diabetes mellitus worldwide can be found in China, and this is expected to grow to 130 million in 2030 . Particular China’s elderly need to ensure that they stay well and fit. But also the country’s younger generation should look ahead to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle through to old age. Smart food decisions as early as possible are a first step and help all age groups to limit the risk of developing NCDs.
A healthy life starts with the right nutrition
BENEO advocates a healthy lifestyle through nutrition. Formed in 2007 by the companies Orafti, Palatinit and Remy, BENEO focuses on the manufacture of functional ingredients such as fibres, sweeteners and texturizers from natural sources that enhance the nutritional value of foods without compromising on taste and texture. The company is known for its prebiotic fibres, such as Orafti®P95; the pioneer of sugar replacer ISOMALT and the market leader for rice derivatives.
The ingredients’ nutritional benefits are based on sound science and contribute to the areas of weight management, digestive, bone and dental health as well as blood glucose management.
BENEO’s chicory-based prebiotic fibres inulin and oligofructose are used to enhance the fibre content of products across the globe, supporting improved regularity and digestive health and lowering the glycaemic blood glucose response of foods and drink. The company’s oligofructose-enriched inulin, Orafti®Synergy1, has shown in a range of scientific studies to reduce caloric intake and increase calcium absorption. Its smart release carbohydrate, Palatinose™ (isomaltulose), caters for a healthy and active lifestyle thanks to its low glycaemic blood glucose response, support of weight management efforts and toothfriendly benefits. BENEO’s functional ingredients can be easily applied to a wide range of food products for infants, adolescents, adults as well as the elderly. During the show BENEO presented various product samples at the booth including sugar-free candies with ISOMALT, functional waters with the company’s prebiotic fibres supporting digestive health as well as yoghurts enhancing calcium absorption due to Orafti®Synergy1 which contribute to bone health.
The company supports its customers through a connected chain of expertise. The BENEO-Institute provides advice on nutrition science, nutrition communication and regulatory questions. The BENEO-Technology Center supports questions regarding application technology, recipe and formulation development. BENEO’s team of marketing experts provides insights into the latest market developments, trends and consumer behaviour.
Koen van Praet, Managing Director for BENEO in Asia-Pacific said: “Asia Pacific is a region with high potential for BENEO. Today, it contributes 15 percent to BENEO’s global business and it is growing fast. In China there is a growing interest and focus on nutritionally balanced food for all age groups. BENEO is well positioned to provide the functional ingredients that food manufacturers are looking for to address this growing market.”
BENEO offers functional ingredients derived from chicory roots, beet sugar, rice and wheat. BENEO is the ideal partner to help improve a product in its nutritional and technological characteristics. Key nutritional benefits are ‘less fat’, ‘less sugar’, ‘less calories’, ‘added fibre’, ‘gluten-free’ and dairy alternatives as well as energy management, digestive, bone and dental health. Key technological benefits focus on taste and texture improvements. Through a unique chain of expertise, including the BENEO-Institute that provides decisive insights into nutrition science and legislation, and the BENEO-Technology Center that consults in application technology, BENEO actively supports customers in the development of more balanced and healthy food products.
BENEO is a division of the Südzucker Group, employs almost 900 people and has production units in Belgium, Chile, Germany and Italy.
