Eliminating Weighting Agents from Drinks Topic of New White Paper

Formulating beverages without weighting agents is the topic of a new white paper from Ingredion Inc. (Westchester, IL). The company discusses its novel ingredient solutions that can deliver high oil load and stable emulsification, without requiring weighting agents.

Weighting agents are often used in beverages to keep emulsion droplets evenly distributed, preventing cloudiness and other issues. Typical weighting agents have been brominated vegetable oil, sucrose acetate isobutyrate, and glycerol ester of wood rosin (ester gum); however, many companies are reducing their use of these due to consumer and regulatory health concerns, as well as cost concerns. For instance, says Ingredion, FDA no longer recognizes brominated vegetable oil as GRAS. Additionally, the cost of weighting agents can be as much of 50% of formulation costs.

Ingredion products such as its Q-Naturale high-efficiency emulsifier for natural beverages and Purity Gum Ultra emulsifier for traditional beverages offer solutions, the firm says. Both serve as emulsifiers.