12.01.07
Tate & Lyle: Eating Healthy Never Tasted So Good
Officially founded in 1921, Tate & Lyle can actually trace its historical roots back to a number of 19th century companies that focused on sugars and corn milling. It’s this long-standing heritage that has allowed the company to evolve over the years and become known as a leading manufacturer of renewable food and industrial ingredients.
“All our ingredients are produced from renewable crops, predominantly corn (maize) and sugar cane,” said Jim Miller, director of product management, Americas, Tate & Lyle. “We take these renewable crops and transform them through the use of innovative technology into value added ingredients for our food, beverage and industrial customers.”
Examples of some of Tate & Lyle’s ingredients that have been quite popular in the nutraceuticals industry include Splenda sucralose, Krystar crystalline fructose, Sta-Lite polydextrose (a prebiotic fiber), maltodextrins and calcium citrate. These ingredients, as well as many others, help add taste, texture, nutrition and functionality to everyday products consumed by millions of people around the globe.
As Mr. Miller explains, public interest in functional foods has never been higher, with today’s consumers looking not only to limit sugar, fat and calories in their food products, but also deliver additional health benefits. “As the nutraceuticals market becomes more mainstream via functional foods, evidence points to a steady rise in the popularity of healthy eating, but consumers are faced with a balancing act between health and flavor,” he said. “Tate & Lyle is developing a range of ingredients and ingredient systems that address the growing needs of consumers for great tasting products that deliver numerous health benefits.”
One of Tate & Lyle’s latest innovations in this area is a line of prebiotic dietary fibers launched under the brand name Promitor. The line en-ables food and beverage manufacturers to develop and market products with a variety of consumer benefits. In addition to fiber content claims, fibers can also play a role in products positioned for digestive health and weight management.
“The first two products in this line are Promitor Resistant Starch and Promitor Soluble Corn Fiber,” said Mr. Miller. “Promitor Resistant Starch is an excellent choice to re-place flour or other grain based ingredients in bakery, cereal and snack applications. Promitor Soluble Corn Fiber can be used anywhere corn sweeteners or sugar are used. This clear and flavor-free product is well suited for a multitude of applications.”
In addition to high quality ingredients, Tate & Lyle also boasts an active consumer research program that provides insights into dietary habits, preferences and aspirations. These insights are used to direct internal research and development, to help market the company’s products and services, and to also help customers anticipate and respond to new challenges.
“We continue to see a healthy growth trend in functional foods and the consumer’s desire to eat healthier,” said Mr. Miller. “Consumers will continue to have a high level of awareness and interest in functional foods and how their own nutrition plan can help optimize their health and reduce the risk of disease.” And thanks to compan-
ies like Tate & Lyle, consumers are fast learning that a healthy lifestyle does not have to compromise on great taste.—M.Z.
Tate & Lyle Food and Industrial Ingredients America (TALFIIA)
2200 East Eldorado Street
Decatur, IL 62525
Telephone: 866-653-6622
Fax: 217-421-2216
Website: www.tateandlyle.com