UK-based food coatings company Bowman Ingredients will invest in the country's first dedicated production facility for gluten-free products.
The company works with others from across the world to manufacture products for major retailers and quick service restaurant chains.
Headquartered in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, Bowman also has manufacturing sites in South Africa, Australia and Thailand, and produces a range of coatings for frozen and chilled food, including breadcrumbs, batter mixes, pre-dusts, and dry mix marinades for value added meat, poultry, fish, potato, and vegetable products.
The new facility will specialise in the development and production of gluten-free crumb systems, and will be brought in operation within the next year.
"Major supermarkets and restaurant chains are currently driving gluten-free products further into the mainstream in the UK and Europe to meet consumer demand."
Equipped with modern production equipment and enhanced processing technology, the facility will ensure that all coatings products and ingredients are produced to a specification of less than five parts per million (ppm) of gluten.
Bowman Ingredients CEO Rory Bowman said: "This investment marks a major step in our global business growth strategy. Gluten-free crumb systems already account for a significant share in our total breadcrumb business, and we are forecasting that this substantial growth story will continue."
"A key focus is on the development of gluten-free crumb coatings and batters for fish and poultry, with no compromise on quality compared to standard coatings, whilst maintaining a clean label declaration."
