Global ingredient provider Ingredion has expanded its functional food portfolio through the acquisition of Benicaros, a patented prebiotic fibre derived from upcycled carrot pomace.
The transaction is structured as an asset deal, granting Ingredion full ownership of all intellectual property, trademarks, clinical trials, and manufacturing know-how associated with the product. By integrating the upcycled fibre into its existing global supply network, the company aims to address growing commercial demand for clean-label, science-backed nutritional solutions.
The acquisition allows the multinational manufacturer to diversify its functional portfolio, targeting the digestive and immune health spaces with a highly concentrated, low-dosage ingredient.
Portfolio Integration and Asset Details
Benicaros is manufactured utilising carrot pomace, an agricultural byproduct of carrot juice processing. Unlike traditional prebiotic fibres, which often require high daily intake levels and can present formulation challenges, the carrot-derived fibre is designed to deliver physiological benefits at a lower daily threshold.
According to Nate Yates, Vice President and General Manager of Sugar Reduction and Fibre Fortification at Ingredion, the acquisition directly addresses key formulation bottlenecks in the functional food space.
He noted that the carrot-derived fibre bypasses the typical limitations of conventional prebiotics, which frequently suffer from tolerance issues, high dosage requirements, and processing stability challenges. The addition of Benicaros allows Ingredion to provide a highly differentiated, science-backed solution to its global customer base.
Nutritional Profiles and Formulation Standards
The ingredient is engineered to support immune and digestive health by stimulating beneficial gut bacteria. It has been developed to meet strict clean-label, sustainability, and plant-based standards:
🥕 Upcycled Carrot Source – Sourced from carrot pomace, a natural by-product of carrot juice production, supporting circular-economy and resource-efficiency initiatives.
💧 High Solubility – A fully water-soluble composition that exhibits minimal impact on the sensory attributes of finished products, preserving original taste, texture, and odour profiles.
📉 Low Dosage Efficacy – Clinically shown to support immune health and gut microbiota at low daily consumption levels, minimising the tolerance issues associated with high-dose prebiotics.
🌱 Clean Label Compliance – Plant-based, gluten-free, kosher, and halal certified, aligning with the ingredient transparency requirements of modern natural-channel grocery retailers.
These attributes make the ingredient highly versatile for use across multiple consumer packaged goods (CPG) sectors, including functional foods, beverages, and dietary supplements.
Focus on Upcycled Ingredients
The acquisition reflects a broader industrial shift among global ingredient manufacturers to secure sustainable, upcycled raw materials that reduce agricultural waste.
By commercialising side streams of existing agricultural processing lines, manufacturers can improve supply chain security, lower environmental impacts, and deliver high-value functional compounds to food and beverage processors.
Ingredion, which operates in more than 120 countries, plans to leverage its global formulation, application, and regulatory capabilities to scale Benicaros across international markets, helping brands develop functional products that meet emerging consumer wellness and sustainability expectations.
.jpg)
