Whether reaching for a refreshing sports drink or picking out an after-dinner dessert, consumers are guided in these everyday moments by visual cues and on-pack messaging that set expectations about product appearance, taste and other features. In order to deliver on their promise, brands must offer both exceptional flavor and color while catering to modern demands for cleaner, healthier ingredients.
Across the grocery store, food manufacturers face the challenge of creating products that appeal to health-conscious, eco-aware consumers. The push for natural and recognizable ingredients, particularly in flavors and colors, has made clean label practices essential. But the complexity around ingredient transparency, particularly in the use of flavor and color additives, adds another layer to this challenge. Manufacturers often lack full visibility into the processes and ingredients used by flavor and color suppliers, meaning they can’t always provide the level of transparency consumers now expect.
As regulatory agencies are slow to mandate ingredient disclosure changes, brands must proactively differentiate themselves by choosing ingredients that are not only high-performing but also perceived as natural and trustworthy. This is where innovations like CaptaClean™ come in — offering manufacturers a solution to meet these evolving consumer preferences for clean label products.
What is CaptaClean?
At its heart, CaptaClean is a proprietary encapsulation process utilizing whole grain rice as a natural carrier to deliver peak color vibrancy and flavor integrity in food and beverage, home and personal care, and other products. In addition to its versatility, the technology has been shown to maintain the intended flavor/color impact over shelf life, enabling formulators and technologists to use fewer actives, which can positively impact cost-in-use.
Unlike traditional, more commonly used encapsulants, CaptaClean labels as “whole grain brown rice flour” and aligns with the growing demand for recognizable and trusted ingredients. This clean label ingredient appeals to consumers who are wary of complex chemical-sounding additives and seek simpler, more familiar components in their foods. By using flavors and colors formulated with CaptaClean, manufacturers can help their brands stand out with “made with whole grain flour” or “contains no maltodextrin” claims, which appeals to consumer preference for recognized ingredients, transparency and high-quality products.
The Benefits of Encapsulating with Whole Grain Rice
- Clean Label Appeal: Whole grain rice is a staple in many diets, seen as a natural and healthy ingredient and carries high consumer recognition and acceptance. Using it as an encapsulant enhances the clean label positioning of your products and colors/flavors themselves. And, when highlighted on pack or in the ingredient statement, it also helps you meet the demand for transparency in food production and reinforces consumer trust.
- Integrity of Flavor and Visual Impact: CaptaClean encapsulates flavors and natural colors, protecting them from degradation during processing and storage. When consumers finally enjoy the product, the flavors and colors are still fresh and vibrant. Whether used in snack coatings, dessert mixes or even spice blends, this technology helps ensure a consistent sensory experience that meets consumer expectations.
Why Choose CaptaClean?
For food manufacturers and flavor/color suppliers alike, CaptaClean is a pathway to developing innovative, consumer-friendly products that resonate with the demand for health and sustainability.
- Natural and Recognizable: In an age where ingredient labels are under scrutiny, whole grain rice provides reassurance. It’s a familiar, healthful ingredient that communicates the product’s commitment to natural solutions.
- Versatility Across Applications: Whether you’re producing savory snacks, complex sauces or sweet desserts, CaptaClean offers a versatile encapsulation solution. Its applications extend to dried soups, marinades, plant-based meats, and more, making it ideal for companies looking to diversify their portfolios with clean label products.
- Improved Product Stability: The encapsulation process helps to stabilize sensitive ingredients, extending shelf life and ensuring that flavors and colors remain protected until consumption. This is especially valuable for products that require long storage periods or undergo rigorous processing.
Practical Applications in Food Manufacturing
CaptaClean is adaptable across various product categories, enhancing both taste and appearance without compromising the clean label promise. Some key applications include:
- Encapsulated Flavors: From snacks and sauces to spice blends and rubs, CaptaClean keeps flavors fresh and potent, even through challenging production processes.
- Natural Color Powders: With CaptaClean, food manufacturers can achieve vibrant, natural colors that appeal to health-conscious consumers while eliminating synthetic dyes.
A Step Toward the Future of Clean Label Products
Sustainability and health are no longer trends — they’re the foundation of what modern consumers expect from their food. CaptaClean is designed to support food manufacturers in meeting these demands by offering a clean, effective and natural encapsulation solution.
By incorporating CaptaClean into your formulations, you not only enhance the sensory experience of your products but also demonstrate your commitment to quality and transparency. This small but significant change helps your brand connect with consumers who prioritize sustainability, transparency, and health, ultimately setting your products apart in an increasingly competitive market.
As food manufacturers look toward the future, adopting innovative, clean label technologies like CaptaClean will be key to staying ahead. From enhanced flavor and color preservation to sustainable ingredient sourcing, CaptaClean delivers on multiple fronts, helping you create foods that resonate with modern consumer values.
Ready to Experience the CaptaClean Difference?
See firsthand how CaptaClean can enhance your products with natural flavors and vibrant colors. Request a sample today and discover how this innovative encapsulation technology can level up your food offerings and align with consumer demand for clean label ingredients.