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EPI Ingredients – the dry ingredients division of dairy cooperative Laïta and one of the world’s dairy ingredients experts will present its latest innovations at Fi Asia in Bangkok from 13-15 September (stand no. T21).
SoFlexi is a highly versatile yogurt-based finished product concept that highlights the unique characteristics of EPILAC Lowfat Yogurt Powder 48. Developed with the end-consumer in mind, the powdered mix comes in individual pouches, and can be added to yogurt, ice cream or acid drinks, and on-the-go snack options.
As explained by Mathieu Lucot, marketing manager at Epi Ingredients, the goal for the company is not to sell the concept. Their objective with SoFlexi it is to drive innovation, help their customers visualize what they can do with the range of ingredients offered and promote the use of EPILAC premium fermented powders in new product developments. Containing the same live bacteria (Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus) as the ones found in yogurt and which are known to help balance the gut flora as well as strengthen the immune system, some of EPILAC powders an interesting option to formulate both convenient and nutrition-oriented products.
More new products soon
The company awaits the completion of its drying tower, which will enable the production of more products, with the first powders expected by the end of the year. New products will include a low-spore skim milk powder that was developed specifically for incorporation in UHT beverages formulations.
“One of the recurring challenges for UHT beverage manufacturers is that spores develop heat resistance and are therefore impossible to eliminate through the UHT process,” explain Mr Lucot. “With our new state-of-the-art installation, we will be able to apply extremely strict manufacturing standards that will help reduce spores in our products to the very minimum so that UHT beverage manufacturers can use our ingredients knowing that their ready-to-drink beverage will be perfectly clean and stable with no risk of further contamination by spores’ development”, he adds.
Besides this specialty SMP for the beverage industry, the new unit will also expand EPI Ingredient’s portfolio of solutions for the nutrition market. Not only will the company be able to provide infant-grade SMP and Stage 1 to Stage 3 baby formulas (premium and standard) but it will also have the capability to create customized fortified powdered milks (in vitamins, calcium, other minerals, etc.) to meet the needs to specialized adult nutrition. The range of possibilities arising from this cutting-edge facility goes from standard bulk ingredients to ready-to-market bespoke finished products. With a dedicated team of experts on staff, Epi Ingredients strives to alleviate the complexity of developing specialty nutrition products by offering one-on-one support to help their customers significantly reduce their time-to-market while developing successful products in line with their specific functional, nutritional and regulatory constraints.
