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FUNCTIONAL FIBERS WITH NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS

Dietary fibers have been closely studied for their health benefits and functional properties for the past three decades and fiber deficiency is well known to cause many nutrition-associated illnesses.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recommended an average daily fiber intake of 25-38 grams (EFSA, 2010 European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (2010). However, according to a study conducted in 2018, the average fiber intake in the GCC is only 13 grams per day – far below the recommended daily intake. Another study conducted in 2018 by the Emirates Gastroenterology and Hepatology Society (EGHS) in the UAE found that over 80% of the population in the country consumed less than the recommended daily intake of dietary fiber. This is a concerning trend, as fiber deficiencies have been linked to several health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, hypercholesterolemia constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and colon cancer. Several studies have reported that the consumption of a high-fiber diet may prevent or reduce these ailments.

A wide range of functional and non-functional fibers offer food manufacturers the health benefits of fibers combined with their functional properties which can improve the texture of products and prevent syneresis (separation of water) due to fibers ability to hold water.

 

Dietary fibers offer an extensive range of proven health benefits:

Fiber Claims and Regulations

The EFSA and USFDA have laid the guidelines to claim a food enriched with fibers as below:

 

“Source of Fiber”
One can claim that a food product or ingredient is a source of fiber (and any claim likely to have the same meaning for the consumer) only when the product contains at least 3% of fiber or at least 1.5 grams of fiber per 100 kcal.

“High Fiber”
A high fiber food claim (and any claim likely to have the same meaning for the consumer) may only be made where the product contains at least 6% of fiber or at least 3 grams of fiber per 100 kcal.

 

Some of the most commonly consumed fiber enriched products globally are:

As consumer awareness surrounding nutrition and ingredients improves, the demand for fiber enriched products and other products offering nutrient value is also growing. This a clear opportunity for food manufacturers to rise to the occasion and meet the need of consumers by incorporating a fiber-rich line of products into their offering.

Denico is one of FSL’s long-term partners who have developed a proprietary blend of fibers, which can easily be incorporated into any liquid or solid dairy application. The fiber blend has no taste and offers excellent solubility. The ingredients contained within this fiber blend are common to all consumers and are a part of healthy diets worldwide. The product is entirely natural and E-number-free.

Write to us at dairy@foodspecialities.com to explore a suitable value-adding Fiber solution for your brand.