Cargill plays up Barliv drink debut
The company announced that, in a reflection of its increasing focus on co-branded products and consumer research, Bolthouse Farm’s Heart Healthy Pear Merlot product could effectively meet interest in wellness products.
A spokesperson for Cargill told NutraIngredients-USA.com the launch reflected the ongoing development of its barley-derived Barliv product in order to capitalize on research linking beta-glucan soluble fiber to heart health.
Following Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval last August of a health claim linking daily intake of three grams of beta-glucan soluble fiber to a possible reduction in heart disease, the group claimed that the cooperation positioned it to target national demand.
Although Barliv itself has been commercially available from the company for the last eight to nine months, a spokesperson for the group said the launch represented a breakthrough regarding its application testing in finished products.
Launch challenges
In working with Bolthouse to launch the drink, besides proving clinical efficacy of the Barliv ingredient, the Cargill spokesperson said that there were a number of challenges in terms of application development for the product.
The company said that in extending product use beyond the more traditional use of the barley-derived soluble fiber in oatmeal and cereals, overcoming difficulties in formulation was vital. These difficulties included ensuring pleasing texture and viscosity for a juice without compromising potential functionality.
Besides this physical development, the company also said it had undertaken challenges of how to promote soluble fiber health not only to the consumer, but to food manufacturers as well.
A spokesperson for the company claimed that it had therefore ramped up its strategy of providing technical and consumer support for a number of its branded ingredients to meet promotional and practical challenges.
