Asiro, a Denmark-based supplier of concentrate powders and liquid extracts, recently launched an extensive line of Berry Shield Juice Powders, which employ the use of an ingredient called Sunfiber manufactured by Taiyo GmbH. The novel drying technology allows formulators to create juice powders without using maltodextrin, Carsten Aalund, COO and commercial director of Asiros, said.
 
Maltodextrin has been used in the drying of juice powders to prevent clumping and to act as an anti-caking agent. It is also used in a wide range of processed foods including artificial sweeteners, nutrition bars, protein supplements, and meal replacement shakes, as well as in other types of snacks to improve consistency, texture, and taste. According to the company, some health experts believe that maltodextrin may cause spikes in blood sugar levels, since it has a high glycemic value.
 
Berry Shield Juice Powders represents a low-glycemic alternative that, by its nature, may reduce diabetes mellitus risk if used as a low-sugar alternative, and may serve as a weight management and cholesterol control ingredient.
 
Maltodextrin is also evidenced to impact the balance of bacteria in the gut, the company said. This imbalance, known as dysbiosis, can have an impact on digestive health. Lastly, maltodextrin is considered a “hidden sugar” which can lead to an appetite increase and sugar cravings, the company said.
 
Sunfiber, an ingredient used in the novel drying process, is certified organic and conventional, and is backed by over 180 published studies. It is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a prebiotic fiber.  
 
Berry Shield Juice Powders are 100% water-soluble, certified non-GMO, vegan, and are available in both organic and conventional options. They are standardized for anthocyanin and polyphenol content, and are polyphenol-fingerprinted and DNA-tested by the Tru-ID certification program in order to ensure purity.
 
“The Berry Shield Premium line was developed with Sunfiber to add the science-based fiber back into the juice and produce great-tasting berry ingredients that deliver prebiotic benefits along with efficacy and safety,” Stefan Siebrecht, managing director at Taiyo GmbH said.
 
“Replacing the sugar carrier maltodextrin with the functional dietary fiber adds tremendous health benefits for the consumers,” he continued. “In the U.S.A, Sunfiber in combination is already a success especially due to the clean-labeling of the products, which are labeled as ‘carrier-free combination of juice and fiber’, or as ‘prebiotic Juice Powder.’”

The current line of Berry Shield Premium ingredients includes elderberry, bilberry, aronia, tart cherry, and lingonberry, as well as red and black currant. These ingredients can be used in a wide range of supplement delivery formats, including tablets, capsules, soft gels, gummies, sachets, and stick packs, as well as in foods and beverages. There are plans to commercialize more fruits and fruit juice powders combined with Sunfiber.
 
Asiros is a sustainable, vertically-integrated farm-to-finish berry processing company working directly with growers in order to ensure quality of the raw materials to finished ingredients. The company produces 600,000kg of berry products per year to supply global markets.
 
In a related announcement, Devon Bennett, CEO of INS Farms, announced that INS Farms will be the exclusive North American Distributor for the Berry Shield Line.