BASF targets multivitamin drinks with new beta-carotene

My recommendations is that always drink natural drink, if you can drink drink's that without additives..

BASF targets multivitamin drinks with new beta-carotene
02/12/2004 - Number two vitamin maker BASF has developed a new beta-carotene product, designed to meet increasing demand from fortified beverages and vitamin-enriched juices, reports Dominique Patton.

The product, called Lucarotin 10 CWD/O, uses modified food starch, rather than the typical proteins, to stabilize the carotenoid. This means that companies will not have to label the ingredient as an allergen under new European Union regulations entering into force next year.

“Beta-carotene is not water-soluble and sensitive to oxygen so it is difficult to stabilise in beverages,” said Dr Andreas Ernst, product manager for beta-carotene in BASF’s human nutrition business.

“Currently fish gelatine is used to stabilize the ingredient but fish products have allergenic potential,” he told NutraIngredients.com. “The new product, based on modified food starch, has very good performance and is already used by our big beverage accounts.”

Beta-carotene is widely used in foods and beverages both as a source of vitamin A and for its colour. In Europe, beverages are the dominant application for the ingredient and strong growth in multivitamin and ACE drinks – around 12 per cent during 2003 - is boosting demand.

Most of the beta-carotene in Europe, worth around $138 million during 2003 according to Frost & Sullivan, is supplied by BASF and rival DSM, although there are some smaller players from Asia making inroads into the business.

The beverage market is considered a major growth opportunity for the carotenoid, which is facing restricted dosages under the European Union's food supplements directive being introduced next year. Read More...
BASF targets multivitamin drinks with new beta-carotene