Opta Food Ingredients to Market Microcrystalline Cellulose Ingredients

Opta Food Ingredients, Inc. and Brazilian-based Blanver Farmoquimica Ltda. have formed a sales and marketing agreement whereby Opta will market and distribute Blanver's microcrystalline cellulose food ingredients to North American food companies. Opta is beginning the relationship by distributing Best Formula 2 Cellulose Gel and Best Formula 4 Cellulose Gel MCC ingredients.

MCC, commonly known and labeled as cellulose gel, is a naturally derived stabilizer, texturizing agent, and fat replacer. It is used extensively in reduced-fat salad dressings, numerous dairy products including cheese, frozen desserts and whipped toppings, and bakery products. Opta has developed several applications that demonstrate the excellent functionality of the new ingredients, including a fat-free ranch dressing that can used as a salad dressing or dip.

According to Art McEvily, senior vice president, commercial development of Opta, "We have worked to develop a number of applications using the Blanver's Best Cellulose Gel ingredients, including salad dressings and mayonnaise, processed cheese and frozen desserts. The applications demonstrate the multifunctional properties of the ingredients, particularly their ability to act as both fat mimetics and texturizing agents. Most importantly, the ingredients are extremely process tolerant and yield end products with clean flavor, creamy mouthfeel and excellent appearance."

Opta Food Ingredients, Inc. is a manufacturer and marketer of proprietary food ingredients that improve nutritional content, healthfulness, texture and taste of food products.

For more information contact Opta Food Ingredients, Inc., 25 Wiggins Ave., Bedford, MA 01730. Tel: 781-276-5100; Fax: 781-276-5101.