As Earth Month blossoms, we at NuTek Natural Ingredients reflect on our unwavering commitment to both human health and the health of our planet. Our vision is rooted in the pursuit of solutions created by nature and nurtured in science. This approach extends beyond our clean label ingredients to encompass sustainable practices across our entire value chain. NuTek Natural Ingredients is proud to offer ingredient solutions that not only benefit consumers’ health and well-being but also contribute to a more sustainable food system.

At NuTek, sustainability is not just a buzzword; it's a core value that guides our operations and product development. From sourcing raw materials to responsible production practices, we are constantly seeking innovative ways to minimize our environmental footprint. Our commitment to simplicity drives us to find natural solutions that are both effective and environmentally responsible.

Consumers continue to prioritize natural ingredients and absence of artificial preservatives as key aspects of clean-label, healthy foods¹.  Interestingly, consumer perceptions of clean label are evolving, with a growing emphasis on transparency and environmental responsibility¹. At home, consumers are making greater efforts to minimize food waste and to increase in upcyling².

In response to these trends, NuTek’s plant-based natural preservative and natural texture platforms — NuXtend and NuForm — support consumers’ efforts to make environmentally responsible food choices. 

Photo: © Shutterstock/ Oleksandra Naumenko

NuForm: Unlocking Nature's Potential Through Upcycling

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) is a tropical tree native to Africa, now widely cultivated in regions across Asia, the Middle East, and Central America. Tamarind trees thrive in semi-arid regions with low rainfall due to their drought tolerance and deep root systems, enabling efficient water use. Their natural pest resistance also minimizes the need for external interventions, making them a low-input, sustainable crop³.

The sweet and tangy pulp of tamarind is widely used in cuisines, from savory dishes to beverages and desserts. After harvesting, the pulp is removed from the pod, and the seeds are often discarded as a waste stream. At NuTek, we've unlocked the potential of these seeds to create NuForm, an upcycled and highly functional texture solution for the food industry.

NuForm tamarind seed gum is a natural thickener and stabilizer, ideal for clean-label formulations. It is cold-water soluble with excellent water-binding capacity at low usage. Heat, pH, and salt-stable, it maintains viscosity under shear. NuForm is compatible with emulsifiers and synergistic with other hydrocolloids, enabling reduced gum usage and lower formulation costs. It offers a clean-label alternative to ingredients like polyethylene glycol alginate (PGA), xanthan gum, and more expensive gums such as locust bean gum.

Key Benefits of NuForm:

• Upcycled & Clean-Label
• Natural Thickener and Stabilizer
• Enhanced Mouthfeel & Texture
• Optimized Product Stability
• Cost-Effective

Product Applications:

• Frozen Desserts
• Sauces & Dressings 
• Fruit Preparations
• Beverages
• Gluten-Free Baked Goods

NuForm's unique combination of properties makes it a valuable ingredient solution for a wide range of food applications, providing both functional and cost-effective benefits while aligning with the growing consumer demand for natural, sustainable products.

Photo: © Shutterstock/ New Africa

NuXtend: Naturally Reducing Food Waste

At the forefront of innovation, we understand the growing consumer demand for sustainable practices and the importance of reducing food waste. NuXtend, our line of natural preservatives created through time-honored fermentation techniques, plays a key role in extending the shelf life of food products. This helps reduce waste throughout the supply chain, from manufacturers to consumers. NuXtend effectively inhibits the growth of yeast and mold, ensuring product freshness and quality while supporting the efforts of consumers who are actively minimizing food waste at home.

In line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals⁴, one of which aims to halve food waste by 2030, NuXtend helps mitigate food loss, contributing to a more sustainable and efficient food system. With its clean-label appeal, NuXtend offers a highly effective alternative to synthetic preservatives.

Key Benefits of NuXtend:

• Natural preservative created through fermentation
• Prevents microbial spoilage and extends shelf-life
• Equivalent efficacy versus synthetically derived preservatives
• No impact to flavor
• Cost Effective 

Product Applications:

• Bakery
• Dairy
• Alternative Dairy
• Pet Treats
• Sauces

At NuTek Natural Ingredients, our pursuit of clean label solutions goes hand in hand with our commitment to sustainability. We believe that consumers should not have to compromise on health or environmental responsibility. Our strategy — created by nature, nurtured in science, and brought to life by our expertise — allows us to create cost-effective ingredient solutions that benefit our customers, consumers, and the planet.

This Earth Month, we invite our partners in the food industry to join us and to Make a Clean Swap.  By incorporating innovative ingredients like NuForm and NuXtend, you can contribute to a healthier planet while delivering high-quality, appealing products to your customers. Let's work together to build a future where nature and science nourish both people and the planet.

To learn more and review our complete portfolio, visit our website www.nuteknatural.com or email us at info@nuteknatural.com.

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1 - 2023 Innova Market Insights. Trends Insider, Revealing the Future: Exploring the Trends in Clean Label Products in the US & Canada

2 - 2024 Innova Market Insights. Consumer Insider, Now & Next for Sustainable Consumers in the US & 

3 – 2018 CAB International. "Tamarindus indica." CAB Compendium.

4- United Nations. "Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production." United Nations, 2020.