Intrafood News

Thanks to automation, Yummy Bakery has managed to save 8% on raw materials by controlling the weight of each pancake. “In the past we gave away too much pancake”, says Sara Geldhof.

'Eating a healthy diet is already a challenge. Vegan and vegetarian diets only make this more complex,’ says Inge Coene of NICE. ‘You cannot simply replace foods 1-on-1.' There is a need for nutritional guidelines for alternative plant-based products, such as in the Netherlands.

When it comes to ingredient regulations on packaging, consumers often cannot see the forest for the trees. Thierry Cattoir from Remarkable refers to the ingredients list and logos. He argues for simplification. He also raises questions about the various logos.

The ProteInn Club supports, facilitates, and accelerates the development of companies involved with fermentation-based proteins. ‘The developments offer them many opportunities,’ says Karen Verstraete of ILVO. She also discusses some challenges.

'Eating a healthy diet is already a challenge. Vegan and vegetarian diets only make this more complex,’ says Inge Coene of NICE. ‘You cannot simply replace foods 1-on-1.' There is a need for nutritional guidelines for alternative plant-based products, such as in the Netherlands.

"The biggest challenge for food companies offering healthy products is ensuring that the label is understandable and transparent to Generation Z," says trend watcher Tom Palmaerts of Trendwolves. "They pay close attention to price."

Quinten Masijn, a doctoral student at KU Leuven, is researching how globular plant proteins can be applied in emulsified meat analogues, such as cooked sausage. His research focuses on drip loss and texture.

"We have the technology and knowledge to develop and produce a mince-like hybrid meat product with 50% meat and 50% vegetables," says Kristof Peeters of Equinox. He worked on this product along with oyster mushroom growers. "The mushroom stalks are a residual product that gives us the right quality."

Sourdough has its advantages. "With the right choice of flour and water, bakers can control the taste and texture of the sourdough bread themselves," says Caroline Vanderbauwede of Dossche Mills. "Dossche Mills supports artisanal bakers by offering personal demos and getting them started with sourdough themselves."

Debic Vegantop is a new topping created by product developers with extensive experience and knowledge of dairy products. This has resulted in a 100% plant-based alternative to cream for whipping and decorating pastries. “However, the taste is very different from the unprocessed product — people often compare it to cream," says Debic’s Bettina...

“As well as bioactive food ingredients, we should focus on other products from residual streams and agricultural produce”, says Yang Zou of Ghent University’s VEG-i-TEC research centre. He gives three very different examples.

There is a trend in which highly active sports people are very serious about the taste of their sports health nutrition and its ease-of-use. “There is a shift taking place.”