HOMECRAFT Create rice flours will be available to food manufacturers in the US, Canada and the Asia Pacific region following the annual IFT meeting and food expo.
Using the ingredient, and putting ‘rice flour’ on the package’s ingredients label, will allow manufacturers to switch out “hydrocolloids, modified starches and other ingredients not considered clean label,” according to a statement from the company. It is part of Ingredion’s growing portfolio to meet consumer demand for clean and simple labels.
Independent research conducted to understand labeling preferences of consumers in North America and the Asia Pacific region found ‘rice flour’ to be one of the most accepted common ingredients used in the food and beverage industry, the company said. Researchers found a significantly higher proportion of US and APAC consumers preferred ‘rice flour’ to other ingredients that may serve the same functionality.
“Ingredion has been a pioneer in the clean label movement and in understanding consumer attitudes and preferences towards specific ingredients and claims,” said Daniel Haley, director of the global Wholesome Springboard at Ingredion.
He added, “The exciting development of HOMECRAFT Create multi-functional rice flours, leveraging our recent investments in Asia-Pacific, reflects the continued commitment of researchers working in this area at our global network of Ingredion Idea Labs innovation centers.
“The demand for clean and simple labels continues to climb in North America, and consumers are expecting front-of-box claims to be supported by ingredient statements,” said Angelina De Castro, senior marketing manager of Ingredion’s Wholesome Springboard in North America.
“Providing highly functional rice flours with added stability and enhanced texture allows our customers to design new products that are as close as possible to what consumers would expect in an authentic recipe.”