New Ingredient Alternative To Petroleum-Based Glycols, Glycerin

WILMINGTON, Del.DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products Company LLC, has launched a new ingredient, Zemea® USP Propanediol, a natural solvent and humectant to replace petroleum-based propylene glycol or glycerin in a variety of food and beverages.

"Food companies are always searching for new, natural ingredients that provide consumer benefits, said Carole Feole, account executive for DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products. "Zemea USP can offer food scientists a new, versatile ingredient with multifunctional benefits."

The ingredient is a natural, 100% biobased ingredient that's made from corn sugar through fermentation. It's an environmentally sustainable alternative to petroleum-based glycols and glycerin where the product's humectancy, preservative effects, solubility and taste properties can be beneficial in food and beverage applications.

Zemea has attained all required regulatory approvals for use in the U.S. food industry. It has received non-objection from the FDA for its self-affirmed GRAS status and is certified GRAS by the Flavor & Extracts Manufacturers Association (FEMA). It's also certified and tested according to the requirements of the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) and the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). The ingredient is certified 100% biobased by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and has kosher and halal certifications as well. The company's manufacturing plant in London, Tenn. is licensed with the state of Tennessee as a food manufacturing facility and is registered with the FDA.