Compound Coating Trends: Ingredient plays an expanded role
In addition to solving traditional confectionery processing challenges, compound coatings provide confectionery and snack manufacturers a healthier alternative. Is premium the next opportunity?
There’s nothing like a FDA regulatory proposal to turn one’s world upside down. And while the agency’s November 2013 proposal to revoke the GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) caused a flurry amongst many food manufacturers, it wasn’t necessarily targeted toward confections.
As Jeffrey Fine, v.p. of customer innovation for AAK points out, “Confectionery coating fats are generally close to fully saturated and while often times are hydrogenated, they are generally not ‘partially’ hydrogenated. Nevertheless, given the uncertainty of the FDA’s final ruling, an increasing number of customers are seeking only non-hydrogenated options for coating fats. This is a trend that will presumably continue for the near future.”