Cargill launches state of the art “Lecithin Quality Toolbox”
MECHELEN, BELGIUM — OCTOBER 2007 — Cargill is introducing a new grading system for its standard and specialty lecithins. Food manufacturers around the world can now select from four main grades of lecithins that take into account a range of quality-relevant factors with particular focus on product quality, functionality and value.
Quality assurance and food safety are an integral part of all modern food manufacturing operations. However, the customer’s individual quality requirements can vary significantly, depending on the final product, what production technologies are used and what legal obligations may need to be considered.
“Cargill’s Lecithin Toolbox is really a risk management and value-for-money system,” says Hanns-Georg Bueschelberger, Product Line Director Lecithins at Cargill. “Some applications require an extremely detailed quality requirements specification, whilst at the other end of the scale, this degree of sophistication would be equivalent to using a sledge-hammer to crack a nut. Our Lecithin Toolbox will help food manufacturers to pin-point their needs much more precisely, to arrive at a clear and cost-effective product-application match.”
Being derived from natural sources, lecithins are not a single chemical compound but a mixture of various different constituents that work in combination to contribute to the product’s final functionality. In view of this, lecithins can show significant variations in their composition, functionality and suitability for different applications.
Natural raw material variations are traditionally overcome by selective blending / standardization measures. However, the more detailed the quality requirements for specific food processing applications and the tighter the specifications that need to be met, the more effort that has to go into the selection of the right raw materials and the analytical proof of the [end product’s][lecithin’s?] functionality.
To help food processors to navigate through the complexities involved in the quality specifications of lecithins, Cargill Texturizing Solutions offers now its extensive range of lecithins in four main grades: Standard, High, Premium and FQ-MaxX. These provide an easy-to-use, application-led approach to narrowing down the lecithins selection criteria - minimizing the need for long, elaborate questionnaires and extensive quality testing procedures.”
80 Years Experience
Customer requirements can vary from colour or transparency specifications, to more complex requirements such as low-iron lecithin for margarine products and specific phospholipid patterns in chocolate or dietary applications. Microbiological requirements can also vary considerably depending on the customer’s application - infant nutrition being a particularly sensitive area.
Prevention of food product recalls and contamination incidents are ever more a key factor in risk management and crisis prevention in the food industry. This applies particularly to processes involving lecithins, nature’s principal emulsifier, that rightly have a central place in today’s food manufacturing operations. With more than 80 years experience with lecithins, Cargill is able to offer a clearly signposted path through the complex process of lecithin product specifications, quality assurance and risk management.
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For more commercial information contact:
Hanns-Georg Bueschelberger, Product Line Director Lecithins on +49/170/8522844,
Hanns-Georg_bueschelberger@cargill.com
For more press information:
Christine Nicolay, Cargill: + 32 15 401 929, christine_nicolay@cargill.com
Toni Gill, Razor PR: +44 1869 353807, toni.gill@razor-pr.com
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Cargill
Cargill is an international provider of food, agricultural and risk management products and services. With 158,000 employees in 66 countries, the company is committed to using its knowledge and experience to collaborate with customers to help them succeed. For more information, visit http://www.cargill.com
Cargill Texturizing Solutions
Cargill Texturizing Solutions is one of the world's leading suppliers of texturizers and emulsifiers to the global food and beverage industry. From design through development to manufacturing, Cargill Texturizing Solutions is committed to creating with its customers innovative new products for consumers to enjoy. For more information, visit http://www.cargilltexturizing.com.