Natural titanium dioxide substitute: wheat starch component improves the appearance of pet food

Declaration-friendly alternative from Trigea offers high levels of whiteness and functionality

Ibbenbüren/Germany, December 2021: The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) no longer considers the white pigment titanium dioxide (E 171) to be a safe additive in animal feed. Trigovit® Starch 1104 ND native small-grain starch has a naturally high degree of whiteness and visually brightens various pet food applications. This starch component from Trigea, a specialist in wheat-based functional ingredients, is not chemically modified, is completely harmless to health and has no E number.

Trigovit® Starch has a whiteness (brightness) of 98.17 on the scale of 0 (black) to 100 (white). In pet food applications, it provides a clear brightening effect and, in snack applications for example, can be used to create offset optical highlights. Now that EFSA’s assessment has already led to a ban on titanium dioxide as a food additive from next year, a similar decision is expected for feed production. For manufacturers who now want to reformulate their products, Trigea offers a natural alternative as well as advice and targeted assistance.

Trigovit® Starch is a native wheat starch produced by physical separation. The size of the starch granules is very small (less than 10 μm), so that ten times more particles are contained in the same volume compared with conventional corn or wheat starch. The starch distributes homogenously in the end product without sedimenting. It is also free-flowing and dispersible, neutral in taste and easily digestible.

Maximilian Hegge, Sales Manager at Trigea, comments: “Demand for a natural substitute for titanium dioxide has increased enormously since the EFSA notification and the ban in the food sector. We frequently encounter this topic at trade fairs and customer meetings. With our native wheat starch, we help manufacturers to prepare for potential changes in the law and ensure that they can make their product as visually appealing as before — with a natural, renewable raw material.”

For more information, visit www.trigea-petfood.com and LinkedIn.