From platinum to gold: RiceBran upgrades Proryza line with new formulation

BakeryandSnacks spoke to the ingredients and animal nutrition company at the recent IFT show in Chicago to learn how its new ingredient can help to boost the nutritional profile of products such as granola bars.

A key element of RiceBran's business is processing and distributing stabilized rice bran and rice bran-based ingredients to bakery and confectionery manufacturers. 

Rice bran is the outer layer of the brown rice kernel after the husk has been removed, explained the company’s VP of sales and marketing, Joon Park.

'Underutilized by-product of rice milling'

“It’s an underutilized by-product of the rice-milling industry,”​ he said, “but it’s the most nutritious part of the brown rice.”​

Proryza Gold contains 30% protein and about 50% dietary fiber and enables bakery companies to boost protein and fiber content in their products, said RiceBran. It is the latest addition to the Proryza range that includes:

• Proryza P-35, a protein ingredient that contains 35% protein
• Proryza PF-20/50, an ingredient that combines dietary fiber with a lower level of protein (20%) and heart-healthy oils
• Proryza Platinum, a  bulking agent primarily used in beverages

Demand for health and texture​

“Consumers nowadays wants snacks with a healthy profile, but also demand good flavors and textures,”​ Park said, adding that all RiceBran ingredients are gluten-free and non-GMO.

“Proryza Gold gives crunchiness in snacks and baked goods, and doesn’t affect their original flavors. It’s a one-stop shop.”​

RiceBran’s goals this year include expand its presence in the gluten-free bakery and snack category, and introducing its products to more functional and healthy smoothies.

RiceBran second-quarter results

Announcing its second-quarter results last week, RiceBran reported overall consolidated revenues down from $11.4m a year ago to $10.5m as a result of declining revenue in its Brazil segment.

Consolidated Q2 2016 gross profit was $2m compared to $ 2.2m a year ago, while Adjusted EBITDA was $425,000 versus  $543,000 a year ago.

"In the second quarter of 2016 we achieved record revenue in our USA segment for the second straight quarter​,” said CEO and president W John Short. “The increase in revenue, both quarter over quarter and sequentially, was derived from functional food ingredients and human ingredients as well as animal nutrition products​.”

He added, however, that the situation in Brazil remains “extremely challenging with economic recession and adverse weather conditions continuing to weigh heavily on the segment​”.