Global ingredients manufacturer, Treatt, has joined the Sustainable Agriculture Industry Platform to expand safe and responsible agricultural practices in South America.

Joining in collaboration with its lemon oil partner FGF TRAPANI, Treatt and FGF TRAPANI will expand SAI Platform’s sustainable best practices into Argentina and Peru through the rest of 2021 and into 2022. As a member of SAI Platform, Treatt will continue to champion good working conditions for employees and promoting responsible and sustainable farming through their extensive global supply partners.

Much of Treatt’s lemon oil is harvested from FGF TRAPANI’s South American farms, before ending up on global consumer shelves through beverages.

Commenting on the decision, Craig Landles, Global Lead Citrus Buyer at Treatt, said: “Sustainability has never been such an important factor in how businesses are scrutinised by customers, investors, employees and society as a whole. At Treatt, sustainability is a core focus and we are committed to enhancing our sustainability responsibilities across the Group.

“Joining the SAI platform is a significant step forward and we are proud to become a member. We will be in a stronger position to share best practice knowledge, as well as embed and implement sustainable practices in our supply chain as a result.”

Founded in 2002, the SAI Platform provides a pre-competitive environment to address global sustainability challenges facing food production today, and in the years ahead. With a network of over 90 members around the world, SAI Platform is developing the practice of sustainable agricultural tools and principles that create secure and strong agricultural supply chains, to protect the earth’s resources.

The focus is member driven and SAI Platform meet their needs through Beef, Dairy and Crops Working Groups as well as its measurement and verification tool the Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) and data collecting tool Spotlight. By leading the field to sustainable practices, SAI Platform delivers value to its members, farmers, their communities and consumers.

Mr Landles added: “Treatt and FGF TRAPANI have the perfect partnership to support their customers’ sustainability requirements. We can instil best farm practice to others – it is a fantastic opportunity to make a difference for the right moral reasons. It is something Treatt is very passionate about as a business and we are very proud to be so.”

To find out more about Treatt’s sustainable methods, go to https://www.treatt.com/sustainability

Why your family food or drink recipe can’t be sold in the shops, Richard Horwell, marketing and branding specialist, Brand Relations, provides some insight.

There are no rules about where a business idea can be born, and some of the best begin in a kitchen. We recently developed a healthy soft drink based on stinging nettles. The recipe was one that had been in the founder’s family for generations. It was originally used as a cure-all and detox, and now it has been reimagined as a refreshing summer drink. Whether a recipe has been handed down through the years, or adapted from a drink experienced while travelling, or created from scratch (by design or by accident), it’s likely to need quite a few changes before it becomes a marketable reality. And no matter how wonderful the recipe, there are a number of steps to take on the journey from kitchen to high street.

Step one: It is so important to understand before you take on any business venture that the production of your product cannot be just a few drinks here and there; it’s either all or nothing. The best idea is to take your recipe to an experienced manufacturer (co-packer). A co-packer will be looking at volume and unless you can give them confidence this project will grow and fast, then very few will consider taking it on.  They also need to believe in your product as much as you do, so before you speak to them make sure your company and brand look professional, many co-packers won’t even respond to Hotmail or Gmail addresses, so get brand ready.

Another thing to remember is that many co-packers will only take on a product if it is going to be produced in its thousands (not hundreds). To ensure that this can be done correctly and safely, with a reasonable shelf life and all the right information on the packaging, you need to get a professional recipe developer on board to help and guide you.

Step two: Your product could be the most delicious product in the world, sell amazingly with your friends, family and local farmer’s market, but the hardest pill many of my clients have to swallow is that the recipe will simply not taste the same when produced on a massive scale.

Your recipe at home has the option to be filled with the most expensive good quality fresh ingredients which provide the best end result, but if you want to mass produce then you may have to change ingredients to ensure the product isn’t ridiculously expensive and can be mass produced cost effectively. The most important thing to consider is that your ingredients need to have a longer shelf life to cope with the route to market, whether this is via wholesalers and physical retailers or mail order. New products can spend far longer sitting on the shelf than established brands so ensure you have that shelf life.

You also need to look out for allergens such as milk or peanuts as many co-packers will refuse to fill your product due to the process of informing every client of the potential exposure. But more importantly you also need to make all allergens VERY clear to consumers. Check out the top 14 allergens (https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/food-allergy-and-intolerance), and wherever possible remove them. If not, ensure you find a co-packer that can cope with the allergens, and that your packaging makes them clear.

Novel Foods is another one to look out for; beware of ingredients that may be legal in other countries but not necessarily in the UK. Some products sold as supplements can’t be sold for mass consumption in food and drink. For this, check the Novel Foods website: https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/regulated-products/novel-foods-guidance.

Step three: Consider the shelf life of your product. Remember new brands move slowly, no matter how good they are. So, you need to factor this in.

While really long shelf-life products are not viewed as healthy, so are less popular at the moment, it is important to remember that, generally, the longer the shelf life the better. As a new product your initial movement into the market will be slow until you get some decent listings under your belt. Often, the only other way to retain the shelf life is to put preservatives in your product, however, many wholesalers and retailers refuse to accept this as part of their range. So, avoid this, if at all possible.

So, when developing your recipe, you must take into consideration whether your product can be stored for a long period of time, preferably at ambient temperatures, or if necessary, chilled.  You then need to adapt your recipe to ensure it will taste just as good at the end of its shelf life as it did at the beginning.

Step Four: Getting your product’s packaging right is of primary importance and it’s a process many new start-ups overlook.  Your packaging needs to be adaptable: what worked at a farmers’ market won’t necessarily work in a major retail outlet. The packaging needs to be sturdy and protect the product, whether it is stacked on pallets, manhandled by the wholesalers, shelf-stackers, or mail order fulfilment companies, and delivered by couriers or postal workers.  It must remain in pristine condition – preferably with a minimal amount of plastic included in the packaging.

It is important to understand the best materials to pack your product in. Plastic is lightweight and durable, but currently very unpopular due to environmental reasons. Glass is more sustainable, however many wholesale buyers will not consider it due to its weight and chance of breaking in transit. So, you need packaging appropriate to the product, sturdy and protective, minimal environmental impact, easily recycled and preferably not too heavy. It’s a lot to ask.

Step Five: Communicating with your target consumer is essential if you are to sell your product. However, different platforms need different approaches. What worked at the farmers’ market will not work in-store. And often what works in-store won’t also work online. So, you need to create messaging that suits the audience and the platform.

You need to make your target consumer understand what you are about and why you are preferable to the competition. Today, consumers don’t just switch for price; they want to understand the benefits of your brand and they want that information and understanding FAST. Think about why your consumers would pick up your brand and then try to communicate that on the packaging.  Your brand name will NOT sell your start-up product, so don’t cover your packaging in a fancy logo and colourful designs. Instead, aim to educate your target consumer so they will understand what they will (and won’t) get from the product.

Step Six: Remember that even once all the steps above have been completed, you’ll still need to get safety certification, such as HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) or SALSA (Safe and Local Supplier Approved) before anyone will even entertain stocking your product. So, this must be factored into each step as well. As this will lie with the manufacturer, make certain they have these relevant certifications or are BRC (British Retail Consortium) certified.

Research

But before all of that, do your research. Start by looking online and visiting target stores. What’s the competition? Is there anything similar in the market either in the UK or internationally? How is it selling? How is the messaging handled? Knowledge is strength and the more knowledge you have the stronger your chances of breaking into the market and making your idea fly.

Richard Horwell is the owner of Brand Relations, a specialist food and drink marketing and branding company based in London. Over the last 13 years, Brand Relations has been behind the launch and development of over 100 brands in the UK. Richard has also built up and sold companies of his own in the Food and Beverage sector. He has over 30 years’ experience in marketing FMCG brands around the world, having lived and worked in the UK, USA, Australia and the Middle East. www.brandrelations.co.uk

With governments and health organisations shining a spotlight on fruit and vegetable consumption as a central part of a healthy lifestyle, consumers around the world are searching their supermarket aisles for products that can help them integrate vitamins, minerals and fibre easily into their diets.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus on nutrient-rich, natural produce has only intensified, and manufacturers are increasingly incorporating fruit ingredients into their fruit juices, smoothies, yoghurts and baked foods. Producing consistently high-quality, tasty fruit ingredients requires expertise, however, and a deep understanding of agronomy.

The very foundation of fruit production, agronomy is an exact science that allows ingredient suppliers to provide the best fruit and vegetable varieties in relation to growing conditions, customer requirements and processing needs. As a global fruit ingredient supplier, SVZ has a team of dedicated expert agronomists working in the fields year-round, ensuring that every fruit that passes along the supply chain meets the exact expectations of both manufacturer and consumer.

On demand

SVZ’s expert agronomy team was created in 2006, following an influx in special requests from customers. It was no longer the case that customers just wanted tasty purees, juices and NFCs – they now also wanted specific nutrients incorporated, particular colours and tastes, as well as safety credentials. “Take baby food for example,” says Anna Sereda, Corporate Agronomist at SVZ. “This application requires a strict quality grade to ensure that the final product is both safe and highly nutritional – and so the expertise of agronomists is required from the very start.”

The role of SVZ’s team of agronomists is diverse and evolving. Involved in guiding and supporting farmers from seed selection to harvesting, ensuring their compliance with specific credentials, agronomists need to be available to support and guide farmers at any time of the day or night. Wherever customers are in the world, be it in America, Europe or Asia, there are different regulations required for fruit ingredients – and agronomists enable these expectations to be met by working closely with farmers. Plus, they are also heavily involved with the P&PD (‘Process & Product Development’) team, who focus on new ingredient development and special customer requests, as agronomists have an important role in making their plans materialise.

Latest developments

“We are the link between farmers and the customers,” says Anna. “Whenever a new customer request comes in, we are the ones who are in the field, monitoring, observing and reporting, to ensure that their wishes are made a reality.” Such requests vary dramatically, from ensuring specific levels of a nutrient to changing the appearance of an ingredient. “For example, we have received requests from customers who are looking to alter the colour of vegetable ingredients for drink applications. Via several rounds of testing and modelling, our agronomy team can ensure that specific pigments are present in a vegetable to generate the required hue. This is exciting, because these colour varieties are being created in a 100% natural way, without the need for artificial colourings or additives.”

When the agronomy team isn’t looking at special customer requests, they’re harnessing science to ensure that every ingredient is consistently high-quality – for example, by analysing soil composition. “At SVZ, we also have a huge focus on soil analysis – we go into detail with regard to understanding exactly the composition of soil and how it can be improved to ensure the best possible output,” says Anna. “Based on analyses, we can determine the estimated amount of mineral nitrogen released during the growing season, for example, allowing farmers to then adapt the doses of fertilisers accordingly. Paying close attention to soil status is a practical way to assist growers in optimising their crops and ensuring healthy biodiversity in the fields.”

Looking ahead

All scientific fields are constantly changing and evolving, and agronomy is no exception. “One development we are seeing more of is farmers who want to be more specialised,” comments Anna. “In a competitive marketplace, agricultural specialisation is one way to increase volumes and yield, while simultaneously reducing costs. However, this comes with a need for advice and guidance and agronomists are perfectly positioned to offer this.”

“We’re also seeing a pronounced shift towards organic food worldwide, which is both a massive challenge and opportunity. Consumers are looking for healthier, safer and more wholesome meal options for their families. With concerns over food safety heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic, communicating supply chain transparency to audiences is a priority. And organic labels offer meaningful value for customers, representing more ‘natural’ farming. As agronomists, we can help farmers achieve organic status and make the changes they need to be both ethical and environmentally responsible.”

Amazing agronomy

As global consumers become more aware of the effect their food and beverage choices have on their health and the planet’s health, sustainable and nutritious fruit ingredients are only going to become more popular. Shifting to more environmentally responsible ways of growing – for example, with reduced reliance on chemical pesticides – can be challenging, and it’s therefore only with the expertise of agronomists that global farmers can make this shift to more ‘greener’ agricultural methods.

That’s why, for SVZ, agronomy is more than simply an ‘added extra’. It’s a fundamental part of our sustainable approach to agriculture, and we work closely and collaboratively with our farmer partners to ensure that they are guided and supported at every step of the process. For our customers, our approach to agronomy ensures that we can tailor our ingredients to meet their exact requirements – and meet rising consumer demand for more nutritious, tasty and ethical products.

SVZ International B.V. supplies high quality fruit and vegetable ingredients to food and drink manufacturers around the world. Its long heritage in agricultural supply, further supported by the world class facilities of its parent Royal Cosun’s farmer owned co-operative and accredited sustainability initiatives, ensure a consistent, premium quality ingredient supply. With more than 100 years’ experience in the global fruit and vegetable agribusiness, SVZ represents quality leadership throughout the whole supply chain. Its strong partnerships with local growers and production facilities within the world’s finest growing regions ensure SVZ fruit and vegetables are cultivated, harvested and processed to the highest standards.     

A look at the positive effects on hypertension and vascular function from Lingonberry Juice with reference to experimental studies, by Anne Kivimäki, University of Helsinki

Lingonberries are beautiful red berries growing in the Nordic forest. Their fresh, astringent and bitter taste might give you some facial contortion. Actually, one genetic variant (TAS2R38) regulates the perception of bitterness in berries.  Regardless of strong taste, it is worth of consuming – lingonberries seem to have beneficial effects on health!

Cardiovascular diseases and diet

Cardiovascular diseases are major cause of death in all over the world.  Vascular function is impaired in common situations such as hypertension, smoking, hyperlipidemia and diabetes. When blood vessels lose their ability to dilate and constrict normally, there is no space for the blood pumped by the heart and blood pressure increases. As many other diseases, this ‘vascular dysfunction’ is related to low-grade inflammation. Hypertension is cause of disturbances in endogenous systems and unbalanced body homeostasis.

In the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, lifestyle and healthy diet are important aspects. Treatment of cardiovascular diseases includes lifestyle guidance and appropriate diet in addition to medication. Foods such as berries, fruits, tea and cocoa has been claimed to exert positive effects on cardiovascular health. This positive effect may arise from polyphenols which are secondary metabolites of the plants. About 8000 different polyphenols have been identified and half of them belong to a group classified as flavonoids. Polyphenolic content has seasonal and growth place variability. For example, amount of one type of flavonoid, anthocyanin, is highest in low temperatures.

Wild berries, e.g.  lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos, V. microcarpum) and cultivated blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) are excellent sources of polyphenols.

What we studied

In our studies conducted in the Department of Pharmacology in University of Helsinki we wanted to investigate the effects of cranberry, lingonberry and blackcurrant juices on vascular function and blood pressure in experimental model of hypertension.

At first, vascular function was studied after 8 weeks consumption of cold-compressed cranberry, lingonberry and blackcurrant juices. Interestingly, in lingonberry treated group vascular dysfunction was totally abolished. Thus, we decided to continue to further studies with lingonberry juice. We wanted to clarify how lingonberry juice affects increased blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats and what are the effects in normotensive rats consuming high-salt diet. High salt intake is one risk of the factors of hypertension. Low-grade inflammation was studied, as it is related to hypertension and vascular dysfunction.

What we found

We found that lingonberries have potential. The established high blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats became lowered during an eight-week treatment with lingonberry juice. However, more concentrated lingonberry juice was unable to prevent the strong genetic development of hypertension in young rats. Yet, more concentrated lingonberry juice was able to normalize vascular function of mesenteric arteries in this experimental model.  So it looks like lingonberry juice has the ability to enhance vascular function in this experimental model, but the perfect dose still needs to be established.

Lingonberry juice also affected positively on inflammatory markers in these experimental models. After lingonberry juice treatment, serum levels of both angiotensin II and alkaline phosphatase were lower than in the control groups.  These are important markers for monitoring inflammation and incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Reduced gene expression of cyclooxygenase 2, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, p-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 partly indicates possible anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic effects of the lingonberry juice.

Possible mechanisms behind these positive effects on hypertension and vascular function may be the inhibition of renin-angiotensin system together with enhanced nitric oxide production. These processes are also targets of antihypertensive drugs.

Conclusions

Taken together, a long-term treatment with lingonberry juice lowered blood pressure and improved vascular function in an experimental model of hypertension.  The possible mechanisms of these positive cardiovascular effects are related to important body homeostasis regulator, renin-angiotensin system and enhanced nitric oxide bioavailability. Furthermore, lingonberry possesses anti-inflammatory properties, which may well contribute to its beneficial health effects.

In addition to fibres and minerals lingonberries contain moderate, but not high amounts of vitamins like C, A, some B-group vitamins. Vitamin E concentration is fairly good, 1.5 mg/100g. The real power of the lingonberries are phenolic compounds, flavonols, anthocyanins, proanthocyanins, quercetin and stilbenes to name a few. Interestingly, lingonberries contains high amounts of resveratrol, which is usually associated with grapes and red wines.

There is a lack of clinical studies conducted with lingonberries or lingonberry products. Results from these experimental studies cannot be directly extrapolated to humans.  Clinical evidence is essential in order to give any claims of the health benefits. However, it has been shown, that moderate reduction of blood pressure and enhanced vascular function is possible to achieve with polyphenol-rich foods.

Lingonberries really have the potential for a superfruit!

References:

Kivimäki A.          Lingonberry juice, blood pressure, vascular function and inflammatory markers in experimental hypertension.  http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-951-51-5631-0