A recent product release of Grape Skin powder developed by a Canadian ingredients supplier, claims to enhance the health and gourmet appeal of bakery products, beverages and dairy products. As per available resources, the Company extracts the ingredient from winery waste, especially grape skin and seeds, sourced from the Niagara region.
The Company taps and promotes the benefits of antioxidants, Omega3 fatty acids, flax and dietary fibers present in the winery waste. As per general manager Michael Chernyak:
Although the grape seed powders have a healthy aspect the main appeal for food manufacturers is gourmet cache. A product labeled as ‘Cabernet Baguette’, for instance, sounds classy and also draws on consumer awareness that red wine (in moderation) may have healthful properties.
Though the product is on the market shelves, yet the functionality of the product is in question, as it lacks appeal in terms of flavor and color. So the gourmet claim made by Chernyak is a bit doubtful at the present stage of the product, but the health assertion can definitely work in certain dietary supplements, required they are supported by tests and trials. However, it would be better if the Company improvises the ingredient so that the properties of grape skin and seed work well for gourmands and dieters.
