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Tech BriefsTaura pioneers ancientgrain + fruit combosTaura Natural Ingredients has launched an innovativerange of ingredients that combines – for thefirst time – ancient grains and Ultra Rapid Concentrated® (URC ® ) fruit and vegetables.The new range, which is called URC Inclusions,will allow manufacturers to create products thatcontain customised blends of ancient grains suchas quinoa, amaranth and chia with 100% pureconcentrated fruit and vegetables for applicationsin the snack, bakery, breakfast cereal and confectionerycategories.Ancient grains are rapidly gaining a very positivereputation among consumers for their taste andsuperior nutritional content. The number of newproduct launches incorporating them is rising fast.URC Inclusions were unveiled for the first time atFood Ingredients Europe in Paris.According to Taura, the range presents manufacturerswith a huge variety of potential combinations,all offering fantastic flavours, textures andstriking visual contrasts. As well as ancient grains,URC Inclusions can incorporate crisped rice andcereals to create a novel crispy-crunch texture,and sweet treats such as chocolate for more indulgentproduct concepts. In addition, the rangeis an ideal carrier for functional ingredients, suchas probiotics and prebiotics.Taura Raspberry and ChiaLRTop food trends for 2012Innova Market Insights has identified ten key trends to impact the foodand beverage market through 2012 and beyond. The top trends combinepurity, authenticity and sustainability, as consumers continue to look forproducts with added value, despite the ongoing economic uncertainty.• “Pure” is the new Natural: Natural products are becoming the rulerather than the exception in most western markets, despite ongoingissues with a clear definition of what “natural” encompasses. Oneway around this has been marketing the “purity” of a product,with Innova Market Insights reporting a doubling in the numberof products using the word “pure” between 2008 and 2009, with afurther third added in 2010 and considerably more in 2011.• Green is a Given: Corporate social responsibility and sustainabilitystrategies have taken on an increasingly important role. The focusis on reducing carbon emissions or packaging, or creating higherwelfare or fairly traded lines. The “ingredientisation” of commoditiesis also moving forward, with previously untapped waste materialsused for their potential functional and health benefits.• Location, Location, Location: Interest in where their foods arecoming from has never been higher among consumers. This isbeing driven by an interest in supporting local suppliers, a desire forethnic-style lines, concerns over the quality and safety of importedproducts, or the demand for authenticity in terms of products from aparticular country or region.• Premium Stands Out: Despite austerity measures topping theagenda yet again from mid-2011, a premium positioning providesmany benefits. Consumers still have to eat and are likely to lookincreasingly to the extremes of discount or super-premium products,with centre-ground brands squeezed. A premium treat can bejustified as an affordable indulgence during difficult economic times,particularly if it can also encompass a better-for-you element.• Seniors Draw Attention: Companies are starting to address the needsof an aging population, both in terms of packaging functionalityand of general and specific health concerns. New EU regulationson labelling should also help seniors by improving the clarity andvisibility of nutritional information. Various recent moves have beenmade in US front-of-pack labelling.The other five trends identified by Innova Market Insights are:Forty is the new twentyGrounded in scienceRegulators force a rethinkUnmeasurable nichesBoom for proteinTT16Sherratt FoodNZ Ad 185x62 V2.indd 1Food New Zealand24/06/11 8:58 AM