GNT has reported a breakthrough development, with a new EXBERRY® natural color that can be applied in clean-label red meat alternatives that change shade just like the real meat during the cooking process.
Emulsifier-free and made from carrots, the EXBERRY® Compound Red range allows plant-based products to imitate the color of raw meat before appearing to become rare, medium, or well done when heated.
The range can be used in combination with different EXBERRY® Coloring Foods to create tailormade shades for meat substitute products including burgers, sausages, minced meat, and meatballs.
The innovation is the result of GNT’s investment in and collaboration with ETH Zurich spin-off company microPow, which developed a patented technology to encapsulate ingredients. The natural encapsulation solution melts when the temperature increases to release the color concentrate.
Developing meat substitutes that match up to modern consumer expectations has previously proved a significant challenge for manufacturers. Research showed that replicating the appearance and behavior of animal protein is essential to maximize plant-based products’ appeal, particularly among those who also eat meat. However, 69% of consumers worldwide also said that it is important that meat substitutes are naturally formulated, according to the latest findings from FMCG Gurus Meat & Plant-Based Report.
With the launch of EXBERRY® Compound Autumn Red and EXBERRY® Compound Fall Forest Red, it is now possible to create highly realistic red meat alternatives while supporting the clean and clear ingredient lists that shoppers demand.
Frederik Hoeck, Managing Director at GNT Group said, “Today’s consumers want clean-label meat substitutes that look and behave just like animal products – and the EXBERRY® Compound Red range can provide the perfect solution. It allows products to mimic the appearance of animal protein both before and after cooking, opening up exciting new possibilities for the next generation of plant-based meat.”
Based on the principle of coloring food with food, EXBERRY® products are made from edible fruit, vegetables, and plants using gentle, physical processes such as chopping and boiling. GNT also controls the entire EXBERRY® supply chain to ensure the highest level of quality and year-round availability.
For more information, click on: GNT Singapore
