Cargill Introduces Health-Promoting Instant Beverage Sticks

Minneapolis, MN - Cargill has unveiled two new on-the-go beverage blend product concepts with Oliggo-Fiber inulin that make it easier than ever for food and beverage formulators to help consumers get more fiber and calcium into their diets.

The convenient beverage stick prototypes will be presented to food and beverage companies as "Surprisingly Invisible," because Cargill's Oliggo-Fiber inulin is virtually undetectable after being dissolved. The sticks will include flavored and unflavored blends of Oliggo-Fiber inulin with calcium lactate. Simply add one single serving stick to eight fluid ounces of water and stir. Each stick provides a good source of fiber and calcium. The beverage stick prototypes were showcased at Cargill's booth (#2348) at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Food Expo in Chicago.

"Studies have shown that eight grams of inulin per day may increase calcium absorption among pre-teens and post-menopausal women. Because calcium is important for bone health, Cargill's convenient new instant beverage sticks are particularly good news for food manufacturers looking to address consumers' concerns with building and maintaining healthy bones," says Christine Cerkvenik, Oliggo-Fiber inulin product manager, Cargill.

The Cargill instant beverage sticks are available to food and beverage manufacturers to label with their own brand names. "The sticks, which fit easily into backpacks or purses, are a great example of how Cargill works with customers to create nutritional solutions that suit today's lifestyles," said Cerkvenik.

Derived from chicory roots, Oliggo-Fiber inulin is a natural soluble fiber that adds both functional and nutritional benefits in foods. Cargill recently announced expanded GRAS status for Oliggo-Fiber inulin.

SOURCE: Cargill