Amid an escalating fiber crisis in the US, where dietary fiber deficiency leads to thousands of deaths every year, Farbest Brands is now offering Beyond Acacia®, a gum acacia product manufactured using a new process that produces high-density granules, in partnership with Alland & Robert.
Beyond Acacia, like traditional gum acacia, is a wholly natural source of dietary fiber. The ingredient, devoid of taste, color, and odor, reduces sugar content and enhances fiber without altering the flavor or texture of products. It offers multiple applications, serving as a stabilizer, emulsifier, and texturizer, and is also employed in encapsulation, film-forming agents, extrusion aids, tableting, and confectionery. Beyond Acacia is vegan, non-GMO, USDA-certified organic, Kosher, and Halal certified.
America’s fiber crisis
Research indicates a significant deficiency in dietary fiber intake among the US population. A notable study published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine in 2017 revealed that an alarming 95% of both adults and children fail to meet the recommended fiber intake necessary for optimal health.
The National Institute of Health has linked inadequate fiber consumption to several severe health issues and leading causes of death, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, stroke, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension. An increase in dietary fiber has been shown to substantially lower the risk of such conditions.
Acacia fiber increasing in popularity
Also known as gum Arabic, Senegal gum, or Indian gum, acacia fiber is produced using the natural exudate from the acacia tree in the Sahel Region in Africa and is harvested in a similar manner to maple syrup from the maple tree. The use of acacia in food dates back to the 9th century, when it was first traded on ancient spice routes.
“…an exciting new form of an already incredibly versatile ingredient.”
According to Kerry Health & Nutrition Institute, acacia fiber is a useful source of soluble dietary fiber for the more than 60% of consumers who believe that eating more fiber is the best way to manage digestive health. The popularity of acacia fiber as a food ingredient has increased steadily in recent years, growing at a 27% CAGR between 2016 and 2020.
Farbest Brands, known for delivering ingredients to North American companies from ethical suppliers from around the world since 1955, offers a range of clean-label, high-quality dairy and plant proteins, vitamins, vitamin pre-mixes, sweeteners and natural colors, in addition to gum acacia.
The high-density granules in Beyond Acacia allow for easy dispersibility and solubilization, according to the company, contributing to smoother integration in production, reducing lumps and the need for extensive blending and leading to more energy-efficient manufacturing of food products.
“Beyond Acacia is the next step in Alland & Robert’s commitment to a more sustainable future,” said Michael Sutich, Director of Business Development at Farbest Brands. “Its lower carbon output along with improved dusting and particle size make it an exciting new form of an already incredibly versatile ingredient.”
More information at farbest.com
