Cargill Soy Protein, a leading global supplier of soy with distribution networks in Europe and the US, has formed an alliance with ET Horn company, one of the US's largest distributors of raw materials and chemicals for use in nutrition and food products.
ET Horn will feature Cargill Soy protein Solutions' extensive line of products including soy flour, textured soy flour, flavored soy isolate crisp as well as Prolisse - Cargill's exclusive range of soy products launched in the United States last year.
Cargill claims its patented technology has achieved a breakthrough in taste, creating a bland-flavored isolate that does not give beverages the soy bean taste.
Lisa Alley-Zarkades, ET Horn FoodTech Group vice president of sales said: "Our distribution agreement with Cargill Soy Protein Solutions underlines ET Horn's ability to provide cutting edge, high quality food ingredients."
"Our clients expect the finest products and technical assistance from ET Horn when developing new food technologies. Now that we're working with Cargill Soy Protein Solutions, we can continue to satisfy them."
The US market for soy foods is currently estimated at $1.75 billion in annual sales and is experiencing double-digit growth. Soya-based drinks and desserts in Europe have shown similar growth having grown by over 20 per cent in 2002 and currently valued at $1.57 billion (€1.3 billion).
The Food and Drug Administration's ruling permitting food companies to highlight the cardiovascular health benefits of soy protein in their products is likely to have contributed to this heightened interest in soy-based foods.
Mary Thompson, vice president of Cargill Incorporated's Soy Protein Solutions business said: "The soy protein market has undergone a dramatic revolution during the past couple of years, thanks to the FDA's health claim."
The FDA health claim informs consumers that a daily diet that includes 25 grams of soy protein and is low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Cargill SPS is part of agri-giant, and privately owned, Cargill, a provider of food, agricultural and risk management products that employs some 101,000 employees in 60 countries.
Prolisse soy isolates can be used in nutrition bars, weight-loss and energy beverages, processed meat and poultry, meat alternatives, and baked goods. In bakery products, health foods and many other applications, Cargill soy flours offer advantages over non-fat dry milk, including lower cost, increased functionality and extended shelf life, say the manufacturers.
ET Horn is one of the west coast's largest distributors of raw materials and chemicals for use in coatings, building materials, lubrication, nutrition, cosmetics, personal care, and food products.