News
Beyond distribution: Faravelli connects the dots for NPD
5 Jun 2018Faravelli aims to provide a one-stop-shop for food and beverage companies, connecting the dots from raw materials to finished products, and answering demand for cleaner labels, natural ingredients and improved free-from foods.
The Italy-based company distributes a broad range of ingredients globally for every food and drink application, including thickeners, preservatives, sweeteners, amino acids and vitamins, but company CEO Luca Benati says the way they are blended and the R&D support that comes with them sets Faravelli’s service apart.
“We source the products but our core business is formulation,” he said.
“Normally the idea is to provide a blend that the single raw material can’t provide. Of course we sell pectin or carrageenan singly, but when customers have needs the single ingredients can’t provide, then we propose our blends to the customers.
“…Even in the traditional business of distribution, we try to provide support that goes beyond supply. We also have a very strong regulatory team. When customers need some sort of consultancy, we are also able to provide that service.”
Clean label, free from and natural
Faravelli aims to stay ahead of the latest industry trends, and provides a range of solutions for gluten free and lactose free products, for example. That might mean finding the right blend of thickeners and hydrocolloids to improve the taste and texture of a gluten free baked item, or finding an alternative sweetener for products where lactose is used as an excipient.
Stevia is on the rise too as companies seek alternatives not only for sugar, but also for other sweeteners, and Benati says he expects monk fruit to gain ground in the next few years.
The company has also started to supply chia seeds in the past few months under its own brand, as demand for ancient grains and seeds has taken off. According to Mintel, the number of new foods and drinks launched globally containing chia grew 70% from 2014 to 2015.
Finding the source of innovation
In terms of ingredient supply, Benati said a milestone for the company came in 2008, when it established a division in China, dedicated to the sourcing of raw materials.
“Of course a lot of raw materials are sourced in China,” he said. “In the meantime, we were also looking for new ingredients.”
The aim is to be at the forefront of the process when it comes to new product development and reformulation.
“We want to cooperate with the client before the product is on the market,” Benati said. “We have connected with suppliers of raw materials and sometimes they propose new products. Whatever can be a source of innovation, we want to be there.
“At the end of the day, the service is as important as our range of products.”
Related news
UK High Court allows Oatly to use 'milk' on packaging
17 Jan 2024
Oatly has scored a landmark victory in the use of the word milk after the UK High Court ruled against the country’s dairy industry and permitted the term to be used on packaging.
Read moreChobani expands drink presence with La Colombe acquisition
16 Jan 2024
Greek yoghurt giant Chobani has purchased US coffee brand La Colombe Coffee Roasters for $900 million, furthering its expansion into beverage categories like coffee, oat milk, creamer and ready-to-drink offerings.
Read morePepsiCo to reshape convenient foods portfolio with less sodium and more plant proteins
10 Jan 2024
PepsiCo has revealed details of two nutrition goals that look to reduce sodium and boost consumption of legumes, whole grains, and plant-based proteins as part of the multinational’s expanded convenient foods portfolio.
Read moreMeet the innovative ingredients showcased at Fi Europe’s New Product Zone
3 Jan 2024
The Food Ingredients category at Fi Europe’s New Product Zone featured 19 distinct and innovative products. From fermented delights to sustainable proteins, these ingredients are ready to make their mark in the market.
Read moreFi Europe’s New Product Zone elevates the nutrition of everyday indulgences
22 Dec 2023
At Fi Europe 2023's New Product Zone, eight health ingredients, each offering an enhanced nutritional profile of various products, were on display. These ingredients address the evolving needs of the food and beverage industry and cater to consumers se...
Read moreMyAir plans to expand personalised adaptogen products to UK
15 Dec 2023
After launches in Japan and the US, B2B personalised nutrition company MyAir is eyeing the UK market with its white-label functional food and drink products. “Taste is a must – but it's not enough,” says its CEO. “Food has become functional and persona...
Read moreAugmented technology is the gateway to new food experiences
13 Dec 2023
Harnessing augmented reality as a digital tool could offer consumers increasingly personalised food and beverage experiences, opening up new ways to see and taste products, according to a report by Canvas8 and Givaudan.
Read moreColombia introduces tax on ultra-processed foods
7 Dec 2023
In a bid to curb rates of obesity and other non-communicable disease, the Colombian government has introduced a tax on various ultra-processed food (UPF) and drink products.
Read moreSnack trends, ingredient claims, and plant-based perceptions: Highlights from Fi Europe 2023, part 1
7 Dec 2023
Value-led snacking, sustainability storytelling, and the importance of having a ‘star ingredient’: we asked consumer analysts and market experts at Fi Europe about the trends and innovations that are shaping the food industry.
Read moreConsumers want more plant-based meat without GM ingredients
28 Nov 2023
Plant-based meat has been a hot and popular category for several years, but not all North American shoppers are embracing vegetarian alternatives that contain genetically modified (GM) ingredients, according to the Non-GMO Project.
Read more