News

Warburtons, Cigi team on pulses

18 Aug 2016

Warburtons is joining forces with the Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi) on a unique multi-year pulse research project to produce healthier baked products and ultimately increase the use of pulse flours by the food industry.

Warburtons, Cigi team on pulses

Warburtons, the United Kingdom’s largest bakery brand, is joining forces with the Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi) on a unique multi-year pulse research project to produce healthier baked products and ultimately increase the use of pulse flours by the food industry.

The research builds on the technical expertise Cigi is said to have developed over the past decade in collaboration with pulse growers and industry about the functionality and application of pulse flours, and reflects growing consumer demand for new and innovative bakery products.

Saskatchewan Pulse Growers has provided $1.8 million in funding for the project. Warburtons is contributing $680,000 of in-kind support as well as funds for the purchase of a pilot-scale fermentation tank at Cigi, and the governments of Canada and Manitoba are investing $270,000 through the Grain Innovation Hub. Western Grains Research Foundation and Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers have also provided funding of $158,000 and $25,000, respectively.

Objectives for the three-year project include:

+ Developing a pulse database summarizing new and existing information on the compositional, functional and flavour properties of pulses of greatest interest to the food industry, as well as investigating the effects of pre- and post-milling treatments, particle size and storage

+ Investigating the use of pre-ferment processing on the functionality and end-product quality of doughs containing pulse flours

+ Exploring the development of pulse-based bakery products that meet specific health and nutrition targets

The database and research findings will be shared with pulse breeders, seed companies, growers, pulse processors and the food industry.

“By working with Warburtons as a commercial partner on this project, there is a direct link to an end-customer,” said JoAnne Buth, Cigi CEO. “It signifies the potential of pulses to the food industry as ingredients with nutritional benefits that can contribute to improved health and well-being of consumers.”

Warburtons has previously undertaken preliminary research at Cigi using pulse flours and the company believes the use of pulses can lead to products higher in protein and fibre, and lower in gluten and carbohydrates.

“Warburtons is proud to be partnering with Cigi on this exciting project to advance the use of pulses in the food industry,” said Adam Dyck, Warburtons Canadian Program Manager. “This new research underlines the increasing popularity of new and innovative bakery products amongst consumers and is testament to Warburtons’ commitment to future growth through diversification and innovation.”

Cigi is an independent not-for-profit market development institute created in 1972. More than 44,000 people representing grain, oilseed, pulse and special crops industries from 115 countries have participated in Cigi programs and seminars. Cigi’s mission is to increase utilization of Canadian grain and field crops through superior knowledge, technical expertise, industry leadership and collaboration, innovative processing solutions and targeted training to customers around the world. Cigi is funded by farmers, the Government of Canada (AAFC) and industry partners.

Related tags

Sustainability

Related news

PepsiCo feels the heat as drinks giant cools its climate targets

PepsiCo feels the heat as drinks giant cools its climate targets

3 Jul 2025

PepsiCo has become the latest global food and beverage manufacturer to attract criticism for changing a number of its environmental goals.

Read more 
Harmful meat misinformation threatens consumer health

Harmful meat misinformation threatens consumer health

2 Jul 2025

Misinformation from social media “superspreaders” poses a risk to global consumer health, affecting confidence and trust in the industry, findings reveal.

Read more 
Producers explore traceability to lower food waste and loss

Producers explore traceability to lower food waste and loss

1 Jul 2025

The World Economic Forum has identified traceability technology and tools as emerging anti-loss and waste mechanisms throughout the F&B supply chain.

Read more 
Coca-Cola accused of ‘sportswashing’ amid FIFA sponsorship storm

Coca-Cola accused of ‘sportswashing’ amid FIFA sponsorship storm

30 Jun 2025

Doctors and health campaigners are calling for football's governing body, FIFA, to drop Coca-Cola as a 2025 Club World Cup sponsor, accusing the soda giant of “sportswashing”.

Read more 
Accelerating AI to answer the food sector’s biggest questions

Accelerating AI to answer the food sector’s biggest questions

27 Jun 2025

As concerns about food security continue to grow, investigators are examining how artificial intelligence (AI) can help enhance the sector’s resilience.

Read more 
Stressing health benefits of frozen foods can counter consumer resistance

Stressing health benefits of frozen foods can counter consumer resistance

24 Jun 2025

Many consumers express reservations about frozen food – but on-point messaging about health benefits can help manufacturers counter this resistance, says the British Frozen Foods Federation.

Read more 
US alternative egg brand cracks European market

US alternative egg brand cracks European market

23 Jun 2025

Just Egg is set to be produced in Europe’s largest plant-based facility as plant-based egg brands look to take advantage of the supply chain crisis.

Read more 
World Food Safety Day shines a spotlight on science

World Food Safety Day shines a spotlight on science

19 Jun 2025

On 7 June, the World Health Organization (WHO) held its annual World Food Safety Day, highlighting the role scientific research and innovation play in supporting consumers’ health.

Read more 
Could UK-EU agreement turn the tide for agri-food trade?

Could UK-EU agreement turn the tide for agri-food trade?

17 Jun 2025

The UK Government is to scrap border checks on fruit and vegetables imported from the European Union in an early move to ease trade ahead of its new deal with the bloc.

Read more 
Sustainability meets functionality in spirulina-based smoked salmon analogue

Sustainability meets functionality in spirulina-based smoked salmon analogue

16 Jun 2025

A foodtech company has received EU regulatory approval for its texturised fresh spirulina, the base ingredient in its plant-based smoked salmon analogue.

Read more