Gummy candies and jellies are a universal delight, relished across generations and cultures. These sweet or sour treats dazzle in a variety of colors, shapes, and flavors, appealing to both kids and adults alike. At their core, they’re simple confections—soft-boiled amalgams of water, sugar, and a gelling agent that gives them their signature chewy texture.
However, there’s a catch: traditionally, this gelling agent has been gelatin, a product derived from animal collagen, typically extracted from the bones, skin, and connective tissues of animals like cows and pigs. The use of gelatin raises significant ethical and environmental issues, including animal welfare concerns and the substantial carbon footprint associated with livestock farming.
KMC’s Gelamyl 625 emerges as a game-changer in this context. It offers a completely plant-based solution that replicates the beloved chewy texture of gummies while being fully stable at a much lower temperature of 25°C, which reduces energy usage during production. This potato-based gelling agent not only eliminates the need for animal-derived ingredients but also significantly cuts down on production costs and environmental impact.
Alongside Gelamyl 625, KMC’s introduction of Gelamyl 805 further diversifies the textural possibilities available to confectionery manufacturers. This innovation enables the creation of candies with varying degrees of firmness and elasticity, thereby accommodating a wider range of consumer preferences without compromising on ethical standards.
One of the key benefits of KMC’s potato-based gelling agents is their cost-effectiveness. Gelamyl 625 can serve as a partial or complete replacement for gelatin, offering significant savings without altering the candy’s desired texture. Furthermore, these starch-based gelling agents are compatible with existing production setups, making them an attractive option for manufacturers looking to switch to plant-based ingredients.
“The possibilities with our Gelamyl solutions are extensive and they enable you to customise your products,” says KMC on its website. “Gelamyl starches are easy to implement in production and will often fit with the existing production setup.”