Functional lipids in beverage products

Since the implementation of mandatory labeling of TFA in packaged foods and beverages in the USA in 2006, more than 2 million tons of soybean oil have been lost or diverted from partial hydrogenation to other uses. The US Food and Drug Administration estimates that between 2003 and 2012 the content of TFA in foods has been reduced by 78%. The most recent decision to remove the GRAS status of PHO (preliminary determination in 2013 to be effective in June 2018) will further accelerate the transition to alternative oils³ . The new focus is – and will continue to be – incorporating the ‘good’ rather than eliminating the ‘bad’ fats and oils.

Opportunities and challenges for functional lipids

There are significant challenges involved in the development of a beverage containing healthier or functional lipids that will maintain all the necessary sensory attributes. The most critical single hurdle for the development of beverages containing healthier oils is achieving oxidation stability, especially in products with long expected shelf lives stored at ambient conditions.

To incorporate healthier and or functional lipids in beverages – basically adding oil and specific lipid compounds to water based products – it is necessary to address the following technological challenges:

A) Physical stabilisation of fine suspensions and oil in water emulsions

• Emulsion and fine dispersions need to be stabilised by effective food emulsifiers and stabilisers preferentially by ‘natural’ (label friendly) ingredients and additives
• Develop process and engineering solutions as alternatives to chemical emulsifiers and stabilisers.

B) Chemical stabilisation of flavour and colour in emulsions

• Incorporate ‘natural’ lipid antioxidants acting individually or combined in a synergetic mode
• Find ‘natural’ metal chelators as effective as, but better perceived than, EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)
• Preserve native antioxidants present in unrefined or mildly refined oils
• Design engineering solutions as alternatives to the addition of oil antioxidants (e.g., handling, packaging and processing).

Lipids as functional ingredients for RTD beverages

Adding healthy and functional ingredients has become very common over the last few years. Lipids with potential relevance, or currently being used for functional beverages, are listed in Table 1 (below). A review of new and emerging oils has been previously published⁴.