At this year’s FIE fair SternVitamin will be presenting selected premix solutions to address current trends. The focus is on three micronutrient premixes that have been incorporated into various applications. The SternCogni+ premix, whose functional ingredients boost cognitive performance in old age, is presented in gummies, a trending application. The company meets the Beauty from Within trend with an instant beverage powder fortified with the SternHolisticBeauty premix. Meanwhile, SternVitalityV offers something new for the booming plant-based market: incorporated into a vegan coffee drink the micronutrients provide new energy.

Micronutrients for cognitive performance and memory

According to the United Nations, by 2050 the number of over 65-year-olds will increase by almost 50 percent in Europe and North America, and life expectancy is also rising. This makes it even more important to maintain physical and mental health for as long as possible, to lead an active and healthy life into old age. Studies show that best agers and seniors are particularly susceptible to micronutrient deficiencies. This affects cognitive performance and memory. With its SternCogni+ premix SternVitamin picks up on the Healthy Ageing trend. It contains vitamins B3, B6, B12 and biotin, which contribute to normal functioning of the nervous system, and support memory performance in combination with choline. Zinc improves cognitive performance. As an example of a trending food supplement form, the premix is presented in gummies.

Holistic beauty as a future trend

For many years wellness, health, and beauty were discrete categories, but recent years have accelerated the change towards a merging of the categories. Holistic beauty is the long-term trend now. Consumers are looking for beauty products that alleviate stress, boost wellbeing, and help with sleep issues, for a healthy appearance. With SternHolisticBeauty, SternVitamin has developed a unique premix that follows a holistic approach. Its micronutrients and other functional ingredients support the gut immune system and the microbiota that work through the gut-skin axis to strengthen the skin barrier and improve skin health. The lavender extract in the premix helps with relaxation and stress reduction, and pantothenic acid supports mental performance. At FiE SternVitamin is presenting SternHolisticBeauty in the form of an instant drink powder. It features a pear and vanilla flavour tailored especially for the Holistic Beauty market, developed in collaboration with sister company OlbrichtArom.

Fortified plant-based coffee drink for new energy

SternVitamin’s answer to the ongoing plant-based boom is SternVitalityV. This premix contains B vitamins, vitamin C, and pantothenic acid, which reduce fatigue and exhaustion, while simultaneously providing new energy. Iodine and calcium provide additional power. This micronutrient combination comes in a plant-based coffee drink. It can help students, professionals, and fair attendees maintain their mental performance throughout the day, reduce nervousness, and stay focused. This enriched coffee drink was developed in cooperation with sister company Planteneers.

At this year’s Food Ingredients Europe, SternVitamin will show how manufacturers of foods, drinks and food supplements can generate new value-adding potential with special product concepts. At the exhibition in Frankfurt, the specialist in tailor-made vitamin and mineral premixes will present individualized micronutrient premixes for different target groups and to meet different requirements. The health and lifestyle concepts range from bone health through strengthening of the body’s defences and the cardiovascular system to beauty support.

One example of the company’s wide range of products and services is the new premix for “healthy bones and a healthy heart”, that visitors to the exhibition can try out on the spot. The micronutrient mix takes up one of the top trends in the beverage market: fortified products based on water. The growth potential in this drink category is the highest worldwide, greater even than in other beverage categories. The vegan premix contains the vitamins B1 and B12 and vitamin C, vitamin K2 and vitamin D3. Organic powdered agave juice concentrate lends the product mild sweetness, while natural flavouring gives the drink a taste of “dark berry fruits”. In addition, SternVitamin will show how the health claims authorized by the EU can be used effectively for marketing purposes on the retail packs of the finished drink.

The new micronutrient premix for drinks is one example of the greatly differing target group concepts geared to the individual phases of consumers’ lives – from the wish for a child, through schooldays, university and working life to old age. Besides trend drinks, the tailor-made micronutrient premixes enable teas, snacks, dairy products, baked goods and sweets to offer additional benefits. SternVitamin has also developed special premixes for fortifying vegan foods.