The argument for fortified foods has never been more compelling. Consumers today are increasingly worried with their health and well-being, and they are increasingly turning to their favourite foods for assistance. Products designed with nutrition-boosting components such as fibre, minerals, and Omega-3 fatty acids, whether bread, tortilla, or nutrient bar, are in high demand: Sixty percent of customers say they are looking for these sorts of meals, and 68 percent are willing to test items that help them enhance their nutritional consumption (DSM Consumer Survey, 2020).
This desire for fortified foods is also being driven by the pandemic atmosphere, which has focused attention on general health and, in particular, immunity. A healthy immune system requires Vitamin D, which two-thirds of consumers recognised in a recent survey, yet it is only available in a few dietary sources. This creates a genuine nutritional shortfall for consumers, but it also presents a significant opportunity for bread makers.
Consumer interest in fortified foods drives worldwide market expansion.
Fortification with superstar components like Vitamin D3 and Omega-3 may replace this need by delivering a significant nutritional punch to a variety of ordinary meals, especially baked products. That’s excellent for health-conscious customers, and it’s fantastic for manufacturers wanting to differentiate their goods with convincing nutritional and health claims. As a trip through any supermarket would demonstrate, many producers are already capitalising on this opportunity. There will very certainly be a range of fortified bakery items on the market, ranging from white and whole wheat breads to cookies, cakes, and tortillas. And, considering the market potential, there’s still space for more:
“Between 2021 and 2026, the Vitamin D3 market is expected to develop at an 8.4 percent CAGR in terms of revenue. Similarly, the worldwide Omega-3 market is anticipated to reach US$ 4.7 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.7%.”
Healthy benefits drive compelling label claims
Small yet potent critical micronutrients like Vitamin D and Omega-3 DHA and EPA allow manufacturers to create creative new products with enhanced health and immune advantages. Vitamin D, for example, is a necessary vitamin at all stages of life. It helps the immune system operate normally, and it also improves calcium absorption in the stomach, which is especially important in childhood and adolescence. Omega-3 fatty acids are well established for their beneficial effects on eye, brain, and heart health. Enriching baked goods with these superstar components allows manufacturers to make claims like source of vitamin D’ or ‘high in vitamin D’ (depending on dose level) without sacrificing flavour or texture, providing a major difference.
A nutritional boost in a variety of better-for-you alternatives
DSM’s wide baking portfolio provides a variety of fortification options that provide these desired health advantages. Our dry Vitamin D3 powder is efficient (potent in tiny amounts), simple to use, and may be used in a variety of bakery applications, including flour premixes, white and whole wheat bread and rolls, rye bread, bagels, and tortillas, as well as cakes, muffins, cookies, biscuits, and nutrition bars. Bakers can make a nutritional claim in addition to a health claim, depending on the dose level. DSM provides MEG-3® powder and life’sTM OMEGA oil for Omega-3 fortification in foods such as bagels, bread, cakes, cookies, nutrition bars, and tortillas. Both include DHA and EPA and are suitable for goods that have a limited shelf life in order to maintain optimal sensory characteristics.
Even with ready-to-use solutions, fortification might pose certain technical problems; for example, vitamin D can lose effectiveness when exposed to oxidation and heat. This is where DSM’s seasoned technical experts shine, assisting bread makers in overcoming these obstacles. Similarly, our application expertise steers clients toward the optimal combination of ingredients and solutions to develop successful products that deliver on flavour, texture, freshness, and added health benefits.