Transform your formula: Natural and safe anti-caking ingredient

Non-nano Omyafood® 120 supports powder handling and facilitates processing.

In the food and beverage industry, many products — from raw materials to intermediates or final products — come in powdered form. The market demand is continuing to rise thanks to the trend for convenient and on-the-go applications, as well as powdered nutraceutical and sport nutrition mixes. The challenge for manufacturers, then, is how best to process easy to store, free-flowing powders through the use of safe and effective ingredients.

Fears over nano-particles

The world of food formulation is restricted by many stringent regulations. In the European market, for example, nano-particles have become a concern for producers over fears of potential harmful effects. It’s thought that the miniature particles may pass through the lining of the gut and enter the bloodstream, which may then trigger an inflammatory or immune response. It is also feared that they may build up in various parts of the body, including the lungs, heart and reproductive organs. Therefore, in the EU, companies must clearly label food products that contain nano-materials in order to enable consumers to make educated purchasing decisions. As a result, more and more manufacturers are looking for non-nano alternatives to develop appealing food products.

Natural and safe alternative

Omyafood® 120 is an appropriate, non-nano alternative with excellent anti-caking properties. It offers similar performance as other established solutions, such as silica, magnesium carbonate or magnesium oxide. During production, Omyafood® 120 allows for safer working conditions, as it is less dusty yet manufacturers can count on effective anti-caking without the requirement for additional investment in production facilities.

Switzerland-based company Omya is a leading global supplier of naturally derived calcium carbonate and owns mineral deposits all over the world, ensuring continuous availability. With more than 130 years of expertise in natural raw materials, Omya has developed special techniques to process particles that fulfil various functions in the food and beverage industry. For instance, besides being an effective anti-caking aid, the minerals support extrusion, act as a white pigment for coatings, can be used to add texture and volume, and are also suitable for nutritional fortification. With consumers increasingly asking for natural and clean label ingredients, food producers are keen to reformulate with non-artificial but multifunctional alternatives. Omyafood® 120 delivers on both counts.

Mode of Action

Omyafood® 120 is based on functionalized calcium carbonate (FCC) particles that have been given a new composition and structure through a recrystallization process. The advanced minerals offer high porosity and moisture-binding capacity, and reduced mechanical interlocking. They are non-nano, GMO-free and compliant with Kosher and Halal. Their characteristics make the particles ideal for use as an anti-caking agent or flow aid to improve a powder’s flowability and, therefore, its processability. Powders are often highly cohesive and difficult to handle when discharged from silos, drums or bags – or during conveying, feeding, mixing and dosing. Caking describes the agglomeration of powders that form during transportation or storage of powders due to changes in temperature or moisture. During processing, caked powders become more challenging, resulting in a loss of product quality and higher energy demand. Omyafood® 120 presents a practical approach to prevent the grouping of powder particles during processing, transportation and storage. When the ingredient is added to powders, it embraces the particles and reduces their adhesive forces, thereby preventing lumps. Omyafood® 120 absorbs moisture and oil, while the powder maintains its stability and can be processed easily.

Applications

Omyafood® 120 is suitable for a wide range of powdery food products such as milk powder, milk protein for protein drinks, spice blends for seasoning, energy drinks, coffee creamers, salt, sports powders and vitamin premixes. Furthermore, due to carefully selected mineral deposits, the company complies with strict regulatory requirements globally.

About Omya
Omya has a strong commitment to R&D, which includes a continued focus on techniques to advance the company-owned minerals, including a state-of the art lab, patented products and application know-how. In order to keep abreast of current developments, science-based collaborations with universities and institutes form a substantial part of their business. In addition to calcium carbonates, Omya also has a distribution business with a wide range of different ingredients. As a result, holistic solutions and innovative product concepts are brought to life by combining employee experience with deep application-related insight and knowledge, and high-quality ingredients. The Omya experts are therefore always available to discuss specific customer requirements.