For consumers the very definition of flavor has come to mean much more than just taste, but to include texture, aroma and visual appeal – all of which can help transform eating into an immersive, multi-sensory experience.1 By this broader definition, flavor is still the deciding factor behind many food choices and where food innovators need to win above all else.
At the same time consumers are also becoming increasingly eco-conscious and less tolerant of waste. For them ingredient transparency is no longer just a “nice to have” but proof that food manufacturers care about helping them understand exactly what they are consuming.2
Supporting reduced food waste is both an environmental and budget-conscious decision. According to the USDA, each year the average American family of four loses $1,500 to uneaten food.3 With rising foods costs, food manufacturers have an opportunity to demonstrate how they are supporting waste reduction efforts and helping lower the impact of rising food costs.4
The good news for food manufacturers is that U.S.-grown high oleic sunflower oil can assist in meeting flavor and sustainability challenges across a wide range of food formulations – everything from plant-based products and snacks to sauces, spreads, dips, dairy-free drinks and gluten-free and vegan baked goods and pastries.
There are many reasons to consider high oleic sunflower oil in product development or reformulation efforts.
Supporting taste, texture and mouthfeel
Globalization, travel and social media are driving a hunger for cross-cultural flavors. Three in five consumers are open to trying traditional flavors with a modern twist and a quarter (26%) of Gen Z consumers say they enjoy visually striking and surprising flavor combinations. Younger groups especially are using toppings, seasonings and sauces as a means for experimentation.5
With consumers increasingly seeking more adventurous foods, high oleic sunflower oil can help formulations adapt with a neutral taste profile that allows winning flavors to shine through, while also helping with texture and mouthfeel.
Cleaner labels, reduced waste
High oleic sunflower oil is also non-GMO and sustainably grown so supports cleaner ingredient decks and greater food transparency. It also supports extended product shelf life – longer than other oils – without needing to use artificial preservatives.6
Other reasons to choose high oleic sunflower oil
In addition to supporting adventurous and eco-conscious innovations, there are other reasons to feel confident choosing U.S.-grown high oleic sunflower oil for food formulations:
- Contains healthier, unsaturated fats
- Lends itself to products with claims around low/no/reduced allergens
- Blends very well with other oils and solid fats
- Sunflowers require a lot less water than other crops and help decrease soil erosion which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- It is Kosher and Halal Certified
For more information on the possibilities of high oleic sunflower oil in various food formulations and how it can differentiate from the competition, download the sunflower oil white paper and other information here.
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