CP Kelco received the highest honor for food ingredients innovation at the Food Ingredients South America 2010 tradeshow, which took place Sept. 21-23 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Marketed under the GENU Explorer brand, CP Kelco created new pectin types using a proprietary process, which better maintains the pectin's natural properties. These products have been specially pectin, any of a group of white, amorphous, complex carbohydrates that occur in ripe fruits and certain vegetables. Fruits rich in pectin are peach, apple, currant and plum. Protopectin, present in un-ripe fruits, is converted to pectin as the fruit ripens, designed to create novel textures in reduced-sugar and sugar-free jams, jellies and fruit spreads.

For producers, GENU Explorer pectins provide flexibility in recipe design and tolerance to manufacturing variances when using a variety of different fruits. In the low/no sugar systems, there is no need for use of other gums – GENU Explorer is a single ingredient solution.

“The GENU Explorer pectin range allows the producer to create products with smooth textures and bursting fruit flavors. Product containing GENU Explorer also have great fruit distribution and improved visual appeal due to no syneresis,” says Kathleen Deely, marketing manager, Americas, Atlanta.

In traditional low/no sugar jams, GENU Explorer pectins provide a spreadable texture and excellent fruit identity. Consumers also can enjoy the lower sugar content in squeezable jams, which are both convenient and fun. 

“CP Kelco is very excited and proud to be acknowledged for our spirit of innovation and dedication to providing ingredients for the healthy needs of consumers. We would like to thank the organizers of FISA for the Innovation Gold Award,” says Raul Bellavita, regional sales director, CP Kelco.