The Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting and Food Expo, July 28 to Aug. 1 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, displayed many new ingredients and technologies, including notable introductions from the following companies:

Virginia Dare announced it is now offering Fair Trade Vanilla. The vanilla derives from Indian origins, contains a high vanillin content, and offers a clean flavor profile. Virginia Dare’s Fair Trade Vanilla has been sanctioned by Transfair USA, the U.S. affiliate of Fair Trade Labeling Organizations International. The company also offered a variety of taste experiences from diverse regions of the United States under the theme “Great Tastes of America.” Virginia Dare demonstrated how the “Great Tastes of America” can be incorporated into both products for health and wellness as well as indulgence. Beverages offered for sampling included Original New York Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie and Country Fair Cherry Lemonade.
— Virginia Dare, 882 Third Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11232; 718/788-1776; www.virginiadare.com

X-Café, a specialty coffee ingredient extract company, displayed coffee-flavored ice cream as a demonstration that coffee extracts can become a part of many beverage and food formulations. The company can provide the signature taste of any single-origin coffee bean and customize flavor and fragrances for dairy and liquor products. X-Café extracts also are available in 1,000 liter totes that can be easily stacked and shipped.
— X-Café, P.O. Box 1100, Princeton, Mass. 01541; 978/464-8010; www.x-cafe.com

Vedeqsa Inc. showcased a preservative and protector against microbials, MIRENAT-CF. A liquid formulation of pure lauric arginate dissolved in propylene glycol, MIRENAT-CF is soluble in water. It has strong bacteriostatic and bactericide activity against a range of microorganisms, such as bacteria, molds and yeasts. MIRENAT-CF offers a long shelf life, and is not pH or temperature dependant. No organoleptic changes occur with MIRENAT-CF, and the additive is rapidly metabolized into natural and endogenous compounds.
— Vedeqsa Inc., 11 Penn Plaza, 5th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10001; 212/946-4930; www.vedeqainc.com

At IFT, Innophos Inc. displayed its fortifications for the beverage industry, including electrolytes, sequestrants, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. It also demonstrated beverages using VersaCAL Clear, a highly soluble calcium source specifically designed for use in clear beverages. VersaCAL Clear offers a clean taste, and is an excellent source of calcium and phosphorus, which together promote good bone health.
— Innophos Inc., 259 Prospect Plains Road, Cranbury, N.J. 08512; 609/495-2495; www.innophos.com

Jungbunzlauer presented its Special Salts at IFT, which comprise a range of high-purity organic sources of calcium, magnesium and potassium derived from citric or gluconic acid. The company offers Tricalcium Citrate, which provides a high calcium content, excellent bioavailability and neutral taste. Trimagnesium Citrate supplies a high mineral content in addition to solubility and bioavailability. The company also presented Calcium Lactate Gluconate, which is a source of bioavailable calcium. It works well in clear, carbonated or concentrated beverages as well as in dairy drinks.
— Jungbunzlauer, 7 Wells Ave., Ste. 15, Newton Centre, Mass. 02459; 617/614-0251; www.jungbunzlauer.com

Palatinit placed the spotlight on its Palatinose ingredient, which has been incorporated into many international products. Palatinose is a functional carbohydrate that is said to provide long-lasting energy in the form of glucose. It has a natural sweet taste, low glycemic response and is tooth friendly. The ingredient has been incorporated in numerous beverages, including mineral waters, sports drinks and powdered drinks in countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. Palatinose has received GRAS status in the United States.
— Palatinit of America Inc., 2740 Route 10 West, Suite 205, Morris Plains, N.J. 07950; 973/539-6644; www.palatinit.com

At IFT, FMC BioPolymer displayed Indulgent Chocolate Milk that demonstrated the company’s suspension and mouthfeel solutions. The calcium-fortified beverage contained a uniform suspension of calcium and cocoa with the stabilizer Avicel BV 1518 and Avicel CM 2159 to provide the mouthfeel of fat.
— FMC BioPolymer, 1735 Market St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103; 800/526-3649; www.fmcbiopolymer.com

A White Chocolate Forest Cake Dessert Beverage helped David Michael highlight its Vanilla flavors. The versatile ingredient was featured in a variety of applications at IFT including the flavored-with-vanilla indulgent beverage. The company also offered a chance to win a free trip to its annual Innovation Roadshow.
— David Michael & Co. Inc., 10801 Decatur Road, Philadelphia, Pa. 19154; 215/632-3100; www.dmflavors.com

Fortitech Inc. focused on increased energy, improved cardio health and weight control with several custom-formulated premix samples. For example, the weight management premix blend contained niacin, pantothenic acid, chromium, L-carnitine, CLA, green tea extract, calcium and potassium. One of the energy premixes included vitamins B12 and B6, CoQ10, pantothenic acid, niacin, folic acid, biotin, taurine, D-glucoronolactone and D-Ribose.
— Fortitech Inc., Riverside Technology Park, 2105 Technology Drive, Schenectady, N.Y. 12308; 518/372-5155; www.fortitech.com

GNT featured its Exberry range of natural colors. The range is made from natural strains of fruits, vegetables and plants including black currants, grapes, hibiscus, pumpkins, and black carrots. The colors are naturally concentrated and are organic compliant and preservative free, in addition to being halal and kosher certified. The company’s natural colors can be added to soft drinks as well as alcohol beverages.
— GNT USA Inc., 660 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, N.Y. 10591; 877/468-8727; www.gntusa.com

Nutrinova showcased the abilities of its sorbate preservative. From the makers of Sunett branded Acesulfame K, Nutrinova Sorbates can be added to beverages and more applications. Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid are available in granular or powder form. Nutrinova also manufactures special products tailored to individual requirements, such as Vinosorb, which is made for use in wine.
— Nutrinova Nutrition Specialties & Food Ingredients, 1601 W. LBJ Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75234; 972/443-4000; www.sorbates.com

From trend forecasting to colors to food safety, Wild Flavors offers a range of services to accommodate many ingredient requests. The company’s Resolver Technology aids formulators in blocking undesirable notes in beverage products, such as bitterness and acidity. Also available are LightShield formulations for dairy and dairy-based products to control the reduction and oxidation reactions responsible for the development of light-activated flavor. Wild also offers Colors from Nature line of exempt (natural) colors that are developed using new and revolutionary technologies and partnerships. In addition, Wild offers the assistance of its Health Ingredient Technology and Solutions Team, which is a partnership with Cognis, on natural, health-enhancing ingredients.
— Wild Flavors, 1261 Pacific Ave., Erlanger, Ky. 41018; 888/945-3352; www.wildflavors.com

Amelia Bay provides more than 25 years of flavor technology and offers full product development for all beverages, including dairy and soy products. Licensed and registered flavor technologists support beverage manufacturing objectives complete with production guidelines and sweetener specifications. Custom service and technical capabilities include: raw material sourcing and acquisition; custom extraction and blending; solids removal and refinement; fruit flavor manufacturing for flavored teas; custom concentration ratios; non-nutritive sweetener recommendations including Splenda; 55 and 42 fructose; sucrose; granular sugar; pH adjustment; computerized batch instructions; and on-site startup assistance.
— Amelia Bay, 11800 Wills Road #120, Alpharetta, Ga. 30004; 770/772-6360; www.ameliabay.com

Natural colors were the focus at D.D. Williamson’s IFT booth. The company shared information on the FDA’s policies regarding natural colors as well as its myriad options. D.D. Williamson offers natural colors derived from paprika, turmeric, red beet, elderberry and red cabbage as well as several annatto extract formulations. Its liquid stabilized elderberry color is water and alcohol soluble.
— D.D. Williamson Colors LLC, 100 S. Spring St., Louisville, Ky. 40206; 502/895-2438; www.ddwilliamson.com

Texture was the focus at National Starch Food Innovation. The company produces Textra, a line of products that can restore the “full-fat” textures in non-fat and low-fat milks and give low-calorie beverages a “full-bodied” mouth-coating. The company also noted its N-Dulge line of dairy texturizers. At its booth, National Starch Food Innovation featured a Mango/Passionfruit Smoothie with Nutriose soluble fiber and Instant Textaid-A texturizer as well as a hibiscus tea made with Textra Plus for added mouth coating and improved flavor characteristics.
— National Food Starch Innovation, 10 Finderne Ave., Bridgewater, N.J. 08807; 908/685-5395; www.foodinnovation.com

DSM Nutritional Products exhibited two prototype beverages: AquaBella and Grape Expectations. AquaBella is a beauty water containing vitamins, B6, B12, C and E, biotin as well as Teavigo EGCG. Grape Expectations is a grape juice-based beverage produced using two enzymes: Rapidase ADEX-G for the extraction of the juice and Klerzyme 201 for the clarification of the juice. Grape Expectations’ ingredients also included vitamin C and E and beta carotene as well as three antioxidants: Teavigo EGCG, Hidrox and All-Q. Teavigo EGCG from DSM offers a minimum 90 percent purified EGCG from green tea. DSM’s Hidrox incorporates a combination of antioxidant polyphenols, specifically hydroxytyrosol, derived from olives. All-Q is a cold-water soluble form of CoQ10 with high bioavailability.
— DSM Nutritional Products, 45 Waterview Blvd., Parsippany, N.J. 07054; 800/526-0189; www.unlimitednutrition-na.dsm.com

Orafti focused on its Beneo ingredient at IFT. Beneo is a prebiotic fiber that offers digestive benefits for all life stages. For infants, Beneo can reduce the risk of infant digestive problems. In adults, Beneo also offers improved digestive benefits as well as enhanced calcium and magnesium absorption. Orafti sampled soymilk, water and other products incorporating the fiber.
— Orafti North America, 101 Lindenwood Drive, Suite 100, Malvern, Pa. 19355; 610/889-9828; www.orafti.com

The Wright Group’s booth at IFT offered samples of specially formulated beverages. Available for sampling was a “No-Crash” energy drink formulation and an immune-boosting smoothie. The smoothie featured a soy base fortified with 20 essential vitamins and minerals, including probiotic fiber and high-DHA omega-3s. The 100 percent dairy-free smoothie also was certified organic. In addition, formulations beneficial to school nutrition guidelines as well as women’s health were high-lighted.
— The Wright Group, 6428 Airport Road, Crowley, La. 70527; 800/201-3096; www.thewrightgroup.net

TIC Gums featured its emulsion and blends at IFT. Launched earlier this year, TIC Pretested Dairyblend YG Drink SP is a synergistic blend of hydrocolloids designed for single-step processing, which is the preferred production method among some smoothie manufacturers, the company says. The new system is said to help impart the creamy, smooth mouthfeel and texture associated with high-quality drinkable yogurts and also allows for superior flavor release. In addition, the system has adjustable viscosity in the finished product. A gelatin-free Dairyblend YG Drink SP also is available and can be used in any acidified dairy or non-dairy system. Additionally, TIC also shared that it achieved GRAS status for its TICAmulsion line of modified gum acacia emulsifiers.
— TIC Gums, 4609 Richlynn Drive, P.O. Box 369, Belcamp, Md. 21017; 800/899-3953; www.ticgums.com

Autocrat Inc. offered a range of coffee ingredients, including extracts, coffee and syrups. Its coffee ingredients can be used to flavor iced cappuccino drinks and soy beverages in addition to numerous other applications. Coffee extracts, including 100 percent Colombian, Espresso, Iced Cappuccino, Organic certified and Fair Trade, are available. Autocrat also can create custom extracts that are shelf stable in multiple packaging options.
— Autocrat Inc., 10 Blackstone Valley Place, Lincoln, R.I. 02865; 800/288-6272; www.autocrat.com