Kerry, an Ireland-based ingredients supplier, has announced the acquisition of two innovative companies, IsoAge and Biosecur Lab Inc. The company said in a statement that these acquisitions will enhance Kerry’s leadership in the clean-label food marketplace and expand the company’s ability to meet the growing demand for clean-label products.
 
IsoAge, founded in Georgia, U.S. in 2008, is a supplier of functional ingredients to the food industry, which uses natural products to help food manufacturers optimize food safety and flavor enhancement of their products. Biosecur Lab, a Quebecois company established in 2000, has a line of patented citrus extracts, rich in bioflavonoids and polyphenols, which can be used to optimize the shelf life of many products.
 
Research conducted by Kerry showed a strong consumer preference for foods and beverages with no artificial ingredients. The market for consumer-friendly shelf life solutions in lieu of these artificial ingredients is estimated at more than $1 billion globally, and it is growing at twice the pace of the artificial preservatives market. Additionally, a study published in  PLOS One states that global food waste is twice as high as previously estimated, and is one of the top global sustainability problems; it is a problem the food industry needs to collectively address, Kerry states.
 
While clean-label alternatives have been celebrated in some unexpected ways to capture consumer interest, such as Burger King’s “The Moldy Whopper” campaign, it also highlights the complex challenges that arise due to the fact that food needs to be protected from taste degradation and kept stable using consumer-friendly alternatives to ensure safety and minimize food waste.
 
Keeping food safe over its shelf life is multifaceted, Kerry stated. Products must have ingredients in them which inhibit the growth of pathogens and spoilage organisms, and shield them from taste degradation, all while delivering a nutritious and enjoyable product with a clean label. Through this acquisition, Kerry plans to support companies in their efforts to keep food fresh, safe, and appealing.
 
“We see COVID-19 and its impact on food choice and availability leaving a lasting impression in consumers’ minds,” Emma Cahill, senior strategic marketing manager of food protection at Kerry, said. “Today, campaigns about ‘no-contact delivery’ are offering clear comfort. Into the future, communication of measures taken to keep natural, artisanal products safe will be a new way of building trust and reducing concern as we transition back into our new normal.”
 
“When we combine IsoAge Technologies’ nautral and sustainable food safety solutions with Biosecur Lab’s natural citrus extract-based antimicrobials and Kerry’s existing food protection solutions, we will be able to protect even more food naturally,” Neil Cracknell, CEO of applied health and nutrition at Kerry, said.