Why is flaxseed so popular?
Flaxseeds’ popularity is booming as evidenced by the charts on
page 34. Consumers are attracted to flaxseeds because they provide omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseeds are popular with bakers because they provide a healthful ingredient that already is common in the baking industry.
What is flax?
Flax is a blue flowering crop grown in Canada and the United States, where it mainly is grown in North Dakota. The crop is grown for its flaxeeds, which are healthful ingredients full of omega-3 fatty acids and other healthful nutrients.
What are flaxseeds?
Flaxseeds contain various types of oils, including low levels of saturated fat, moderate amounts of monosaturated fats and high levels of polyunsaturated fats, which are healthful.
How are flaxseeds incorporated into bakery food formulas?
Bakers can add either whole flaxseeds or milled flaxseeds to their formulas. Whole flaxseeds may improve the healthful appearances of bakery foods, but they do not offer the complete healthful benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. To offer all of flaxseeds’ healthful benefits, the ingredient must be milled. Milled flaxseeds have a texture similar to wheat bran.
How do flaxseeds affect bakery food formulas?
Flaxseeds increase dough water absorption, requiring more water to be added to a formula. Flaxseeds also allow bakers to reduce shortening or oil content.
| New food and beverage products with omega-3 labels in North America | New bread, cracker and cereal products with omega-3 labels in North America |
| New products by total SKU count that contain flaxseed in North America | New breads, crackers and cereals with flaxseed ingredients in North America |
Pizzey’s offers premium flaxseed products
What is Pizzey’s SelectGrad™ whole milled flaxseed, and why is it different from flax meal?
Pizzey’s Milling only produces milled flaxseed from whole flaxseed. Flaxseed meal is made from the byproducts of oil pressing operations. These products are much lower in omega-3 fatty acids and are not shelf stable. Pizzey’s believes in offering only nutritious, premium products, which is why the company does not sell flaxseed meal.
Why use Pizzey’s SelectGrad™ whole milled flaxseed rather than other sources of omega-3?
Pizzey’s flaxseed is an economical, plant-based source of omega-3. Pizzey’s milled flaxseed ingredients are stored at room temperature, along with other dry ingredients. The company’s flaxseed ingredients are guaranteed stable for two years when stored at ambient room temperature. No refrigeration, special handling or special packaging is needed.
It also is important to note that Pizzey’s flaxseed is more than just a good source of ALA omega-3. It also contains significant amounts of dietary fiber, lignan phytoestrogens and protein. The product is hypoallergenic, has a mild, nutty flavor and is label friendly.
What is Pizzey’s MeadowPure™ process and why is it important?
Flaxseeds are exceptionally high in unsaturated fat, which means that they are susceptible to rancidity if the seeds are damaged during processing, or are damaged as a result of poor growing conditions.
Pizzey’s carefully selects its flaxseed from products that are grown in the cool, pristine Canadian prairies and North Dakota. During processing, the company separates and discards any damaged or immature seeds. The healthy seeds are then processed using a combination of proprietary, patented and patent-pending technologies that protect the integrity of seeds during all stages of production. Each lot of flaxseed is then tested to ensure that it meets Pizzey’s quality assurance requirements.
Because of this stringent process, Pizzey’s guarantees the stability of its whole milled flaxseed products for two years at room temperature. It requires more effort by Pizzey’s, but the company thinks it is worth it.
Can bakers make label claims on products containing flaxseed?
Label claims are a great way to market nutritionally enhanced products. Products containing flaxseed qualify for two different types of label claims: nutrient content claims and structure/function claims. Only 260 mgs of ALA omega-3 is required per serving to place a “Rich,” “Excellent” or “High” source of omega-3 claim on a label.
Examples of structure/function claims that can be made include “Omega-3s support cardiovascular health” and “Omega-3s support overall health.” Pizzey’s strongly recommends that producers consult with Food and Drug Administration guidelines before placing any label claims on products.
For more information, contact Pizzey’s Milling at 877-804-6444
or go to www.pizzeys.com