Food coatings firm Bowman Ingredients has announced plans for a multi-million pound investment in the construction of a dedicated production facility for gluten-free products.
The purpose-built manufacturing plant “will be the first of its kind in the UK to be dedicated solely to the development and production of gluten-free crumb systems,” the Hertfordshire-based company claimed. Typical applications for Bowman Ingredients’ gluten-free crumbs include coatings for convenience foods such as fish, poultry and vegetables – as well as a binding and textural aid in meat products, such as burgers and sausages.
Due to be operational within the next 12 months, the facility will feature the latest production equipment and enhanced processing technology to ensure that all coatings products and ingredients will be produced to a specification of less than 5 parts per million of gluten.
The investment follows year-on-year growth for gluten-free foods within both the retail and foodservices sectors in the UK and Europe. It is predicted that the market will continue to grow, with several more years of increasing sales, and recent research showed that the industry could be worth £500m within four years.
Bowman Ingredients CEO Rory Bowman said: “This investment marks a major step in our global business growth strategy. Gluten-free crumb systems already account for a significant share in our total breadcrumb business and we are forecasting that this substantial growth story will continue.
“Major supermarkets and restaurant chains are currently driving gluten-free products further into the mainstream in the UK and Europe to meet consumer demand. We believe that the gluten-free category presents food processors with a massive opportunity. A key focus is on the development of gluten-free crumb coatings and batters for fish and poultry, with no compromise on quality compared to standard coatings, whilst maintaining a clean label declaration.”
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