Cargill Launches Industry-First Shortening to Help Bakers Make Omega-3 Nutrient Content Claims at IBIE

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Cargill today introduced Clear Valley™ omega-3 shortening, an industry-first shortening innovation to help bakeries differentiate their products and out-perform competitive brands, at the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) in Las Vegas. The new shortening helps bakers differentiate their products by adding a FDAMA* nutrient content claim for ALA omega-3.

As consumers look to add healthier fats and oils to their diets, there is growing demand for omega-3 sources.  For example, 45 percent of consumers say they are looking for more healthy oils and fats in their foods and beverages(1) and 63 percent added omega-3 sources to their diet in 2008(2).

"U.S. sales of omega-3-enhanced food and beverage products are projected to reach $5.7 billion by 2012(3)," said Willie Loh, vice president of marketing, Cargill Oils & Shortenings. "With Clear Valley™ omega-3 shortening, omega-3s can now be easily added into a wide range of baked goods. Cargill's omega-3 shortening was designed to help customers create great-tasting products that also qualify for nutrient content claims on the package.  We're helping bakers innovate and grow by connecting with consumer demand for more omega-3s."

In a 2009 survey, nearly one-third of consumers said they purchased a food or beverage in the past 12 months because of an omega-3 nutrient content claim(4). Clear Valley™ omega-3 shortening enables bakery customers to make a "good source of ALA (alpha linolenic acid) omega-3" or "excellent source of ALA omega-3" nutrient content claim(5) on the front of the package.

Further, Clear Valley™ omega-3 shortening gives food manufacturers:

• A drop-in method to add ALA omega-3 to most shelf stable food products that require a nine to 12 month shelf life
• An omega-3 product that has a clean, neutral flavor that won't impart unfavorable flavors or require a masking agent
• A reliable source of omega-3 – Cargill has a critical capability in managing identity preserved crops to ensure supply and quality

To learn more about what Cargill has going on at IBIE 2010, including Clear Valley® omega-3 shortening, please visit the Cargill Innovation Exchange.

1. NMI, 2009
2. Americans' Awareness, Knowledge and Behaviors Regarding Fats: 2006-2008, American Heart Association
3. Packaged Facts.  (2009, January). Omega fatty acids : trends in the worldwide food and beverage markets
4. Packaged Facts. (2009, May).  Functional foods and beverages in the U.S.
5. On products that contain less than 1 gram of fat per serving

About Cargill

Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 131,000 people in 66 countries. Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, and is committed to applying its global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges wherever it does business. For more information, visit www.cargill.com.

*U.S. Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997

SOURCE Cargill