Instant Noodle is one of the potential vehicles for food fortification. Instant noodles originated in the 1950s in Japan and are now produced in over 80 countries worldwide and are consumed by a large population. Since 1995, consumption has steadily increased in several Asian nations. Its rising popularity is largely attributed to its convenience and affordability.
Such an increase in the consumption of noodles has prompted coordinated efforts to investigate whether fortifying instant noodles with micronutrients is feasible. This food seems to have the potential to be a useful food carrier for micronutrient fortification though there are many technical and practical obstacles to overcome in the process.
Industrial Metal Powders (I) Pvt Ltd, in Pune, is the world’s leading manufacturer of food-grade iron powder. ELECTRO-FINE is its world-class brand of food-grade iron powders produced by IMP. Our food-grade iron powders can be easily and efficiently used in the flour and seasoning fortification of instant noodles. Scroll down to learn how iron fortification is used in instant noodles.
Factors to be considered during food fortification
For food to become a potent food vehicle for food fortification, it must fulfil some basic criteria. First of all, the food vehicle must be consumed by the most vulnerable segments of the population on a regular basis and in consistent amounts throughout the year.
Additionally, the food should be produced centrally by a small number of plants, allowing for the effective addition of micronutrients and controlled monitoring.
While staying within the safe upper limits of micronutrient intake, both the selection of the micronutrients and the quantities to add must be based on the consumption habits of the food vehicle and the population’s micronutrient needs.
It must be noted that the fortificants and the amount added must comply with bioavailability.
Additionally, fortificants must be selected to prevent changes to the food’s organoleptic characteristics or shelf life.
As we have seen above, Instant noodles are one of the best food vehicles consumed by a large population. In addition, food-grade iron powder such as ELECTRO-FINE by IMP is one of the best food fortificants to combat iron deficiency.
Iron fortification in Instant Noodles
You can use iron fortification to fortify instant noodles either by fortifying the flour used to make them or fortifying the seasoning that is eaten with them.
Iron is a challenging mineral to incorporate into foods because the most bioavailable forms tend to encourage fat oxidation, which leads to the development of unfavourable sensory changes in the finished food. Electrolytic iron, one of the purest forms of iron powder, is better suited for wheat flour that is stored for a longer period of time before being used to make instant noodles.
The iron fortification of wheat flour is accomplished by adding iron powder through a volumetric feeder located at the end of the milling process. Iron powder is usually added in the form of a single premix to provide better control over the concentration and distribution of iron powder in the flour. Wheat flour for producing instant noodles is fortified at the manufacturing plant before adding salt to it or immediately prior to the dough mixing. It is essential that iron powder is mixed properly and distributed evenly in the flour before dough formation.
To reduce sensory issues, electrolytic iron powder is a suitable form of fortifier for instant noodle seasoning. During the commercial preparation of fortified instant noodle seasoning in South East Asia, food-grade iron powder is added along with other seasoning ingredients to a ribbon blender and mixed thoroughly. After that, the enriched seasoning is put into a sachet for pouch-style noodles or topped with cup noodles. For pouch-style instant noodles, the fortified seasoning is introduced as a sachet just before the “auto wrapping” step, and for cup-style instant noodles, it is introduced between the “feeding conveyor” and the “heat sealer” step. The iron powder in the seasoning mixture needs to be thoroughly mixed and distributed evenly.
Food-grade iron powder by IMP is the best fortifying medium for instant noodles
IMP produces the finest quality food-grade iron powder under the brand name ELECTRO-FINE iron powder. It exhibits features that are most suitable for fortifying instant noodles. These features are:
- IMP produces the best quality reduced iron powder and electrolytic iron powder using the latest and the most advanced technologies and machinery.
- It is the purest form of iron powder.
- ELECTRO-FINE has an excellent shelf life under packed conditions.
- It can easily mix or blend with the food vehicle.
- It exceeds major FCC specifications.
- It has excellent bioavailability.
- It does not bring unwanted changes in odour, colour, texture or taste.
- Our well-equipped lab checks the purity of the material at each step of the production phase.
- We provide iron powder in customized mesh sizes or particle sizes.
- It is most cost-effective food fortificants.
- IMP is the only iron powder manufacturer in the world certified with an FSSC-22000 certification for iron powder.
- We also have certificates such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and FSSAI for our food-grade iron powder.
Conclusion
Industrial Metal Powders (I), Pvt Ltd. strives to give every customer the highest quality services and goods. Your need for food-grade iron powders for fortifying instant noodles is quickly satisfied at this one-stop shop. We are the world’s most reliable and reputable supplier of food-grade iron powders. For your requirement of food-grade iron powder, connect with us.
