Frutarom jumps into the omega-3 sea

The health division of Swiss ingredients player Frutarom has launched omega-3s for the first time with the company noting their potential in heart, brain and eye health along with inflammation and general well-being.

Frutarom will use marine-sourced DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) omega-3s and target fortified foods and food supplements globally.

“Thanks to Frutarom’s expertise, we can easily implement the new line into any food matrix, such as dairy, bakery, baby food, cereals, oils, confectionary, beverages etc. It is both deodorised and without any negative impact on the taste,” said Holger Riemensperger, general manager of Frutarom Health in a statement.

The sector has been challenged by the global economic slowdown and negative reaction to some questioning science, but still sits as a nutrition star category with global sales of more than €20bn and growing.

Innova Market Insights estimates global product launches have trebled between 2007 and 2013, with infant foods the leading category.

Riemensperger added: “This step combines Frutarom’s two great strengths of strong market access and deep experience in science-based health ingredients, and follows the company’s strategic move last year into the functional food market.”

Move to health

The move follows the company’s stated ambition to move further into healthy ingredients from its traditional base of flavours and fragrances.

Frutarom segment manager in functional food, Valerie Barrois, told us recently, “Now we want really to go deeper into functional foods. We have new products, new structures and a new strategy. We want to expand our functional foods business.”

“Our biggest advantage is that we can deliver healthy ingredients in formats that taste good due to our flavours experience and expertise. The science is growing and despite a challenging and sensitive regulatory environment in the EU, it is for these reasons we are moving more into these new market segments.”