Sustainability, naturalness and mindful nutrition. In practice the latter means non-animal, low caloric, ethical and climate-friendly. There is an increased level of environmental and health consciousness amongst consumers. Plant-based products, produced and processed in a sustainable manner, as well as those with health-promoting benefits, are the main focus here.

What are some of your key plant-based innovations?
We have a comprehensive portfolio of alternative dairy bases from oats, almonds, soy, nuts and seed pastes, as well as natural health ingredients such as gut health supporting baobab, flaxseed and topinambur, or immune stimulating acerola. Acerola is one of the richest sources of vitamin C in the world. It also contains health-promoting polyphenols and carotenoids.

In what form do you provide acerola?
We provide the fruit powder derived from the acerola fruit with either 17% or 34% vitamin C content. Our acerola powder is available in organic and conventional qualities. Gentle drying procedures ensure that all healthy ingredients in the fruit are retained.

What’s topinambur?
It’s a species of sunflower (Helianthus tuberosus) native to central North America known for its tuber, which is used as a root vegetable. It’s also known as Jerusalem artichoke, sunroot, sunchoke, wild sunflower, or earth apple. The root has negligible amounts of fat, contains zero cholesterol, but is rich in dietary fibers – most prominently prebiotic Inulin – and antioxidants.

How important are natural colors for the food & beverage industry?
Absolutely key! The acceptance of non-natural colors has been shrinking ever since publication of a report by the University of Southampton, UK in 2007. The study led to mandatory warning labels on food in the EU about a potential link between six artificial food dyes and hyperactivity in some children. The topic has gained new momentum with the current regulatory restrictions on TiO2. Döhler offers a range of excellently performing natural colors which are great alternatives to non-natural colors. They are based on pure natural sources, extracted from fruits, cereals, vegetables, malt or other natural raw materials.  

What’s your goal in being present at the FFF expo in Amsterdam?
Döhler is sustainable by nature. The heritage of our company is plant-based and we believe in the “free from” approach, hence it is our target to demonstrate our capabilities to the market and certainly also to exchange information with other key players. Moreover, in this ultra-dynamic environment we are launching new products almost every day, so will certainly have our latest new products on display on our booth