Essentia in ‘major expansion’ of organic chicken ingredients

In October, the Iowa-based company launched antibiotic-free ingredients​ to the range. It said this latest “major expansion​” of the ProBase range with organic ingredients comes as demand for clean-label food products rise.

Research from Euromonitor International has predicted that the market value of clean-label products globally will increase from £129bn ($161bn) in 2016 to £131bn ($162.8bn) in 2017. Mintel has also forecast that clean labelling will be one of the top packaging trends of 2016.​

This increase in consumer demand has prompted Essentia to capitalise by expanding its range.

Growth expected​

“There will continue to be significant sales growth for organic food products and especially for poultry and meat products,​” said Corey Jansen, president of Essentia Protein Solutions North America, in a press statement. “We are excited to deliver this new product innovation to our food manufacturer customers.​

“The launch of organic chicken, combined with our recent launch of ‘no antibiotic ever’ chicken and turkey, positions us as the supplier of choice for clean-label protein ingredients.​”

There has been a big move in the US this year to drastically cut antibiotic use, with leading poultry players, like Tyson Foods​ and Cargill​, launching antibiotic-free chicken and turkey products.

Essentia’s current poultry ingredients are all 100% natural and contain no monosodium glutamate (MSG) – an amino acid that has been linked to a host of health problems. The company produces ingredients used to flavour cooked chicken products, such as soups, sauces, gravies, marinades and side dishes.

The business also confirmed it was planning to launch some certified organic beef ingredients in 2017.