Ingredion Inc., Westchester, Ill., a provider of ingredient solutions, announced that Health Canada granted approval of its quillaja extract (type 2) as an emulsifying agent for oil-based coloring formulations, unstandardized oil-based flavoring preparations and other unstandardized oil-based ingredients. Effective immediately, quillaja extract (type 2) has been added to Health Canada’s list of permitted emulsifying, gelling, stabilizing or thickening agents, the company says. Previous to this approval, quillaja extract was only permitted as a foaming stabilizing agent in beverages. Known as Ingredion brand Q-Naturale, the clean-label emulsifier can replace alternative emulsifiers, such as gum arabic, it adds. Q-Naturale can be used in a variety of foods and beverages to improve emulsification capabilities and efficiencies. It also is ideal for use in flavor emulsions and beverage clouds, intense flavors and vibrant colors, the company says.

DuPont Nutrition & Health, St. Louis, released the results from its multi-phase, proprietary “Beverage Key Drivers of Liking Study.” The results show that consumers rank taste as the No. 1 criteria when choosing a high-protein beverage, the company says. Protein content ranked second, and the study showed that consumers perceived 25 grams as the ideal amount of protein in a serving, a finding that was consistent across consumer segments, it adds. It also pointed to the value of blending proteins, particularly soy and dairy proteins. Ready-to-drink, high-protein beverages formulated with a blend of dairy and soy proteins were ranked higher in consumers’ preferences than all dairy- or all plant-based beverages, according to the study.

Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM), Decatur, Ill., announced the official opening of its new state-of-the-art flavor creation, application and customer service facility in Cranbury, N.J. The 15,700-square-foot center is designed to provide a creative and innovative environment for customers’ product development and features a dedicated lab for mint and oral care products as well as a pilot plant. The space is designed to allow customers to be involved in the process of developing new products and applications, the company says. In other news, the company appointed Erick Heggen as president of North American Refined Oils.

City of Industry, Calif.-based AIDP announced that it signed an exclusive agreement with NutraEx Food Inc., a privately held Canadian corporation, to market and distribute SugarLike Encapsulated Sweeteners to the functional foods and nutraceutical industries. NutraEx Food’s range of sugar substitutes will further enhance AIDP’s position in providing functional food solutions, the company says.

Switzerland-based Firmenich announced the opening of its new, state-of-the-art plant in Buenos Aires, Argentina. With the new facility, the company aims to drive the growth of its flavors through its Taste Modulation portfolio TasteGEM. The new plant will serve more than 100 customers across 10 global markets, the company says. In other news, the company announced that it appointed Mieke Van de Capelle as chief human resources officer, effective June 1.

Muntons Malted Ingredients, Suffolk, U.K., announced its plans to open a new distribution center in Denver. The new location will provide the company with a broad platform from which to service brewers in the Rocky Mountain and Midwestern regions of the United States, the company says. The facility will provide customers with greater product accessibility while reducing order lead times and ensuring supply chain continuity, it adds.