Member Article

EHL Ingredients Sows The Seeds of Success

EHL Ingredients has seen sales in seeds soar by over 100% in the last year. The importer, blender and packer of natural food ingredients has witnessed this dramatic surge in sales within its offering of brown and golden linseed, poppy, millet, caraway, pumpkin, sunflower, sesame and black onion seeds.

Supplying predominantly to food manufacturers, wholesalers and bakeries, EHL Ingredients claims seeds are being used more and more in cakes, breads, cereals and energy bars, which are becoming increasingly popular with healthy eaters. Additionally, retailers are reacting to an increasing trend for consumers buying unprocessed, whole seeds as a snack, which has had a positive impact on sales at EHL Ingredients.

Rich in vitamin E, essential fatty acids and protein, seeds appeal to a growing number of health conscious consumers who are wising up to their nutritional properties. The health benefits attributed to seeds are large and varied: experts claim that Omega 3, found in many seed varieties, is good for cholesterol levels whilst antioxidant properties reduce the risk of disease and are even said to help stave off the ageing process.

Protein rich, unprocessed nuts have long been accredited for their satiety, helping to keep people fuller for longer. As a result, an increasing number of consumers are opting for snack-sized packets of nuts as a wholesome replacement to crisps or chocolate.

The perceived health benefits of seeds has also seen them being increasingly added to bread. Whilst white bread continues to dominate the market, accounting for 79% of sales in the UK<a rel=“nofollow” title=””””>[i], an increasing number of consumers are opting for whole meal varieties, often packed full of seeds and grains, thanks to their reputation of health.

Health is not the only contributing factor to EHL Ingredients’ increase in seeds sales. The company has observed that bakeries are also using seeds for specialty breads, often ethnically diverse, which are rising in popularity. A penchant for foreign travel amongst the British public has seen tastes become more varied and, as a result, products consumed are more adventurous. Seeds are often added to specialty breads, adding texture, flavour and authenticity. For example, black onion seeds are added to naans and poppy seeds to bagels.

Tasneem Backhouse, Sales Manager at EHL Ingredients comments: “Demand for seeds has been increasing for some time now and this recent surge in sales at EHL Ingredients demonstrates the British appetite for seeds shows no sign of abating.

“Our customers use seeds for a variety of purposes from topping bread rolls with pumpkin seeds, to adding them to energy snack bars which seem to be becoming increasingly popular. The growing perception amongst the public that seeds are healthy has meant manufacturers have responded by adding the ingredient to their offering.

“Our products are 100% natural – another key factor for today’s discerning consumers – and have been trialled and tested to ensure flavours are maintained during the production process resulting in high quality items. We can also offer organic items on request.”

To find out more about EHL Ingredients, visit www.ehl-ingredients.co.uk, email info@ehl-ingredients.co.uk or call 0161 480 7902

ENDS

<a rel=“nofollow” title=””””>[i] Flour Advisory Bureau- 18.07.12

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by JAMpr .