Background
As one of Britain’s biggest listed food companies we’re committed to the UK, employing over 4,000 dedicated colleagues at 15 manufacturing sites and offices up and down the country. We operate primarily in the ambient food sector which continues to be the largest sector within the total UK grocery market. Our business is responsible for developing our portfolio of brands in five key categories: Flavourings & Seasonings; Cooking Sauces & Accompaniments; Quick Meals, Snacks & Soups, Ambient Desserts and Ambient Cakes with many of our brands being the brand leaders within their own category.
Challenge
Premier Foods are currently looking for innovators/experts who could assist them by replacing structural palm fat with a more environmentally friendly consumer focused alternative.
We need a new “BINDER” to replace Palm fat. Palm fat is used for its unique melting profile: liquid above 50ºC but solid at room temperature and melts over a very narrow temperature range. This physical nature allows for the specific manufacture of our gravy granules, where the fat is used as a binder. The solid state at room temperature allows for desirables structural properties while the degree of saturation helps achieve a longer shelf life (no rancidity). However, due to sustainability and carbon footprint concerns of Palm fat an alternate ingredient is sought which must have a neutral or positive consumer impact.
The binder needs to be liquid while the other ingredients are being incorporated. However, once cooled the final granules need to be able to withstand handling and transport and equally must not stick together. The binder also needs to re-melt during consumer make-up (dispersion in hot water at approx. 95°C).
What's in it for you?
A successful collaborator will have the opportunity to work with one of the UK’s largest forward thinking food companies with the opportunity to have their ingredients picked up in some of the UKs best selling products.