(April 23, 2014) Innovative Food Processors, Inc. (IFP) recently began commercialization of Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (PHO) replacement ingredients in response to pending FDA regulations and increased consumer demands for PHO- free product. IFP’s new non-PHO specialty ingredients match desired performance properties achieved in IFP’s original PHO containing specialty ingredients.

In November 2013, the US-FDA proposed the removal of PHO’s from the GRAS list. An extended comment period was provided and expired on March 8, 2014 with FDA not yet providing a further or final statement. Knowing the potential for actions related to the trans-fat contribution of PHO’s, IFP’s research into alternative coating systems began three years ago. IFP’s non-PHO ingredient formulas are enhanced by their patented PrimeCAP® encapsulation technology which applies microscopic coating layers, thinner and more elongated for optimized performance.

“Food processing engineers originally formulated PHO’s into hot-melt coatings in the 1980’s to improve ‘flex-properties’ of otherwise brittle fully-hydrogenated coatings,” said Walt Zackowitz, Marketing Director, Specialty Ingredients for IFP, “Flex-Properties improved survival through physical stress as well as freeze-thaw conditions. A wide range of ‘modifiers’ can contribute to flex properties of hot-melt coatings. These must be chosen based on the stress conditions and labeling preferences for each application”.

IFP’s non-PHO encapsulated ingredients include Encapsulated Salt, Encapsulated Citric Acid, other Encapsulated Acidulants (Malic, Tartaric, etc), Encapsulated Sodium Bicarbonate, and Encapsulated Ascorbic Acid. These newly developed non-PHO coating systems can be applied to almost any dry, freeflowing food ingredient. Additional non-PHO encapsulated ingredients are in development. IFP’s specialty ingredient group welcomes new challenges to develop an ingredient that performs to specific application challenges.

For more information on IFP, the experts in powder processing, please visit http://www.ifpinc.biz, or e-mail us at [email protected].

IFP, Inc. develops, commercializes, and manufactures powder products that provide benefits beyond basic nutrition. They specialize in functional beverages, sport/nutrition supplements, and medical foods containing high value ingredients such as fibers and prebiotics, anti-oxidants, protein, probiotics, high intensity natural sweeteners, vitamins and minerals, proteins, and amino acids. Customized processing services include leading-edge agglomeration and micro-encapsulation technologies. They also offer versatile packaging solutions including the popular stick pouch technology. Home to PrimeCAP® Specialty Ingredients. NSF registered GMP for Dietary Supplements and SQF Level 7.1 certified.