Univar Continues to Redefine Food Ingredient Distribution

REDMOND, Wash., June 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Univar Inc. will showcase new formulas, products, and tools to advance healthy reduction and texture modification at the IFT Annual Meeting and Food Expo, June 25-28 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Univar's healthy reduction and texture modification formulas, products, and tools on display at IFT12 are yet another example of innovative offerings that challenge the traditional ingredient distribution model. Rather than simply offering logistics and local service, Univar partners with food manufactures and global ingredient leaders to identify the best ingredients and develop individual formulations. This helps manufacturers get to market faster with winning formulations that exceed demand and offer more to consumers.

The Univar Food Ingredients team will showcase the latest in texture modification and healthy reduction with samples of a low sugar energy drink, Twist'n, and an indulgent snack bar, Crave, which offers nutritional benefits while providing a decadence consumers prefer. Both products are examples of the trend toward reducing sugar and fat in food and beverage products without sacrificing taste or texture. The Crave bar is low in fat and sugar while maintaining the indulgent texture of a high-fat snack bar. It also has added protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The Twist'n low-sugar tropical energy drink is fortified with fiber and natural caffeine and is naturally sweetened while offering intense fruit flavor and the refreshing taste consumers expect.

"The research and development community has less time than ever and needs better options to meet the challenging demands of the consumer today," said Univar U.S. Food Ingredients Marketing Director Beth Warren. "Sacrificing taste is never an option."  To support this need, the Univar Food Ingredients team has created two new formulation tools in a new video format to inspire and support collaboration.  The two videos will offer the food and beverage formulators with new ideas:

• Innovation with Texture Modifiers, featuring CP Kelco
• Beverage Development:  90% water and 10% inspiration

These are the first two videos in the Univar Delivering Discovery library that highlight the science and art behind creative product development.

"These formulation tools reflect how Univar partners with our customers to identify the best combination of ingredients," said Warren. "We don't just deliver ingredients, we simplify our customers' businesses through product development – like the Crave bar and Twist'n energy drink on display at IFT – by helping them navigate the complex ingredient options to stay ahead of trends, accelerate commercialization, and meet consumer demands."

Univar's redefined role as a partner in innovation and development is manifested in its Less is More interactive formulation tool for selecting ingredients that lower sugar, sodium, and fat in food and beverage products. The tool, released in 2011, showcases food ingredient options with case studies, formulation examples, and trend guides to help customers choose the best ingredients for their products. Using this tool, which will be on display at the Univar IFT booth, customers can create their own unique products, like the Twist'n energy drink and Crave bar.

"Univar's technical capability and market insight combined with CP Kelco's product and application expertise fast-tracks our customers' product innovation efforts," said Director of Marketing Americas for CP Kelco Henri Monty. "Bringing new concepts to our customers quickly and efficiently makes a significant contribution to their competitiveness."

To see the "Delivering Discovery videos and sample the Twist'n energy drink and Crave bar, IFT attendees can stop by booth #727.  Univar food specialists will be available to answer questions, demonstrate the Less is More interactive tool and offer insight into formulation challenges and solutions.

About Univar
Univar is one of the world's leading distributors of industrial and specialty chemicals. Univar represents over 3,500 chemical producers and provides its customer base, made up of 115,000 customers, with a full portfolio of products. Univar operates a network of more than 260 distribution facilities throughout North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, and Latin America, with additional sales offices located in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In 2011, Univar reported sales of $9.7 billion. For more information, visit: www.univar.com.

Visit Univar at Booth #727
IFT Annual Meeting and Food Expo, Las Vegas
Part of the IFT '12 Food Expo Trend & Solution Tour for Rediscovering Texture

SOURCE Univar