ADM and Vedan launch tapioca starches and maltodextrin ingredients

US-based food processing firm Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) has partnered with Vedan International to launch a new line of speciality tapioca starches and tapioca maltodextrin ingredients.

ADM has claimed that its new tapioca maltodextrin is non-genetically modified (non-GMO) and is also available in an organic version.

The company’s modified starches are also noted to be non-GMO.

ADM Starch business vice-president Kris DiTommaso said: “Over the past few years, ADM has been focused on expanding the range of our starch-based ingredient options, especially those that are plant-based, to provide cleaner-label options and solutions for customers.

“Tapioca’s neutral taste profile allows it to be used in a wide range of applications, and we are pleased to now add tapioca-based modified starches and maltodextrins to our growing starch ingredient portfolio.”

The company said that starches help improve stability by binding water in food systems and serve to improve the product’s mouthfeel, while also helping to control viscosity.

Starches are currently used in the production of dressings, sauces, bakery fillings, ice cream, yoghurts, soups, bakery products and beverages, as well as meat and dry sausage applications.

Vedan International is headquartered in Hong Kong and produces fermentation-based amino acids, food additive products and cassava starch-based industrial products in Asia.

The company sells its products to food distributors and international trading companies via its production facilities in Vietnam.

ADM has also signed an agreement to acquire vanilla products processor and supplier Rodelle for an undisclosed price as part of a separate development.

Rodelle operates a 65,000ft² extraction and processing site in Fort Collins, which was built in 2008 and subsequently expanded in 2014.

The plant also includes lab facilities for testing and research and development (R&D) operations.

The transaction will be subject to regulatory approval and is slated for completion in the third quarter of this year.