Taste SoBenefik at Gulfood Manufacturing

The dairy industry in the Middle East is experiencing positive growth thanks to increased interest in healthy products. Even as the region is affected by high obesity rates, in general consumers want to stay in shape. Epi Ingredients noted that consumers want added value in products, whether it is to support their active lifestyle with protein or boost their digestive health fermented dairy products.

In the Middle East, harsh environmental conditions tend to hinder increases in milk production and pose a challenge when it comes to preserving fresh milk or refrigerated products, the company also said.

“For several years now, Epi Ingredients has been working on developing solutions able to address these concerns while meeting consumers’ expectations, even in markets where the fresh milk supply may be limited, or where preserving the integrity of fresh raw milk can be challenging,” explains Mathieu Lucot, Marketing Manager at Epi Ingredients. “This is why, this year at Gulfood Manufacturing, we are proud to be presenting our latest finished product concept, SoBenefik, a high-protein yogurt produced exclusively using high-quality ultra-filtered dairy powders, cultures and water,” he adds.

Visit Epi Ingredients' booth (S1 - C85 - Hall Sheikh Saeed) to find out how their products can help you develop yogurts and other nutritional foods or beverages. (Photo courtesy: Epi Ingredients)

SoBenefik is a protein-packed yogurt containing 8% protein, live cultures and a rich, extra-creamy texture while being low-fat. This is made possible by the use of Epiprot 60 UL, a native milk protein concentrate produced directly from fresh milk through an ultra-low heat process allowing for minimal denaturation and optimal functional & nutritional properties. Not only does SoBenefik address local consumers’ new concerns for health and wellness but it is also perfectly adapted to local constraints because it is formulated with powders only, thereby reducing logistical hurdles.

Epiprot 60 UL is easy to use and can be incorporated into a wide range of applications such as cheese, other types of yogurt, quark, beverages, nutritional products, according to Epi. The product with its unique manufacturing processing, offers superior gelling, emulsifying and water retention capabilities, a nutritional profile high in native calcium as well as the unique ability to provide enhanced creaminess and a rich mouthfeel in low-fat, high-protein applications. The company will present how Epiprot 60 UL can do for new product developments.

The development of SoBenefik, featured on Business France’s Innovation Corner (booth S1-C65) was prompted by the massive success last year of Epi Ingredients’ first ever finish product concept, SoFlexi. Designed to illustrate the unique features of Epi Ingredients’ offering, these finish product concepts were never intended to be sold as such and were developed only to drive innovation by helping food, beverage and nutrition manufacturers visualise what they can do with the company’s ingredients.

“SoFlexi will also be featured at Gulfood Manufacturing 2018 as its shelf-stable format is perfectly adapted to the Middle Eastern market,”, states Mr Lucot. It is indeed a powdered mix that allows consumers to create fresh yogurt-tasting snacks containing live cultures in seconds. SoFlexi combines convenience and versatility while offering the nutritional properties of a traditional yogurt without the downside of being perishable, thus catering to modern consumers who are always pressed for time and seeking “on-the-go” snacks that combine indulgence and nutritional balance. SoFlexi, which features one of the company’s EPILAC premium fermented powders, is also a way for Epi Ingredients to remind visitors of its expertise in the field of fermented powders. The company has the very unique capability to be able to dry blends of milk and live cultures, keeping them alive throughout the process and into the finished powder, thus possibly contributing to balancing the gut flora and strengthening the immune system, health benefits sought after by Middle Eastern consumers.

Lastly, Epi Ingredients will also showcase its range of concentrated aromatic products (EMDI) at the show. These ingredients are 100% natural flavors (modified dairy ingredients) derived from fresh dairy products and that contain no additives, no texturing agents and no preservatives. They are designed to help increase the creamy flavor as well as overall body and smoothness in a broad range of applications without adding any fat, thereby making them an asset in formulating indulgent yet healthy products.