Chr. Hansen extends FreshQ bioprotection solution in fermented plant-based sector
“FreshQ DA consists of lactic acid bacteria selected for its ability to out-compete contaminants through fermentation. It works in a variety of plant bases to help keep products fresh for longer,” Peter Thoeysen, Chr. Hansen’s director of Bioprotection, said.
“Bioprotection uses ‘good bacteria’ to fight ´bad bacteria’, yeast and mold, to help keep food fresh from the inside out. Using fermentation for this is a well-known concept in the dairy world, and it offers similar potential for the fermented plant-based foods industry.
“With fermentation driven bioprotection, producers are better equipped to build consumer trust in their brand by improving product quality in a natural way. Improving quality and shelf life can also help reduce food waste at the global level, providing consumers with an extended window during which to consume the food they purchase.”
FreshQ DA is the newest addition to Chr. Hansen’s FreshQ line. The company first put its bioprotective solution for traditional fresh dairy products on the market in 2012, then launched the second generation in 2017 and now has a version aimed at the growing market for fermented plant-based foods.
The company said FreshQ provides several benefits.
It can help control quality from the factory to the table, as fermenting with FreshQ DA in the food culture solution can help improve the robustness of fermented products against spoilage throughout the value chain, maintaining top quality for longer to optimize consumer satisfaction.
Chr. Hansen added that the solution can also improve supply-chain sustainability. Extending freshness can enable producers to optimize production and logistics, reducing waste in the value chain. It also gives consumers a longer window during which to eat the food. This improves efficiency and reduces waste, improving the sustainability of individual companies and strengthening the resilience of the global food system.
FreshQ DA can also meet demand for real food with fewer artificial ingredients, as the company said including FreshQ DA cultures in the fermentation can help extend shelf life without extending a product’s list of ingredients.
“As more consumers become interested in focusing their diets around healthy and sustainable foods, growing numbers of plant-based producers will enter the market to satisfy these demands, making this an increasingly competitive industry. Using FreshQ DA in their fermentation help our customers distinguish their products, protect their value chains, and deliver premium-quality results in every package,” Thoeysen said.
“We all know the disappointment we feel when pulling food out of the fridge only to discover it has gone bad. At Chr. Hansen, we are proud of our track record of helping producers improve their fermentation to help keep food as fresh as possible, for as long as possible, using nature’s own tools to enhance the safety, freshness, and sustainability of foods consumers rely on. With the launch of FreshQ DA, we deepen our collaboration with players in the plant-based space at a time when consumers are more focused than ever on real food ingredients and healthy options. As we embark on this new chapter, we are one step closer to building a more resilient food system and making sustainable consumption possible for every food preference.”
