Not too long ago, food manufacturers had to contend with challenging supply conditions for locust bean gum (LBG), a key food ingredient, particularly in ice cream manufacture. Today, LBG availability has finally recovered and pricing - normalized, claims...
The alternative costs up to 50% less than the real thing but delivers the functional benefits that ice cream makers have come to expect from the sought-after natural stabilizer.
Low prices for locust bean gum could lead to future supply issues, says a hydrocolloids expert, as present returns on pods do not make the harvest worthwhile for growers.
