Mar 20, 2025 | News
For nearly 30 years, AustradeInc.has been at the forefront of innovation in the clean label ingredient space as a leading North American lecithin company. Weempower food and beverage manufacturers to create healthy, natural products thatbenefit consumers.
Ourdedication to sourcing premium ingredients is built on strong partnerships with trustedmanufacturers. A shared vision and devotion to quality ensures that every ingredient meets the highest standards. Every step of the process is equally valuable, from the initial cultivation stage to final product delivery.
THE AUSTRADE ADVANTAGE
What sets Austrade Inc apart is not only our premium ingredient portfolio.
Our commitment to service, supply chain reliability, and deep application expertise aid in each stage of production.Ourcapabilitiessupportproduct ideationto clean label reformulation efforts.Wework directly with each of our customers to ensure finished products meet both regulatory and sensory expectations.
Austrade was established in 1997 and became one of North America’s first suppliers to specialize in naturally Non GMO and Organic Sunflower Lecithin.
Acombination of strong European partnerships and arapidly growingU.S.organic marketpresented a unique opportunity to fill a void in the niche market.Organic ingredients and food products from Europe were generally perceived as healthiereven then.
In 1991, The European Union enactedformal organic regulationsserving as a pioneer for the world. Conversely, the United States took years to develop itsNational Organic Program (NOP) which was not fully implemented by law until 2002.
THE RISEOFLECITHIN
Over the years, thefood and beverageindustry has expanded due to anincrease indemand for natural and functional ingredients.
Lecithin, a mixture of naturally occurring phospholipids, is often used as an emulsifier, stabilizer and thickening agent across various industries.
It is derived from soybeans, rapeseed, sunflowers and other sourcesthrough a variety of formats.
As consumersbecome increasinglymore health-conscious, they are activelyseeking products thatcontainnaturaladditivesover synthetic ones. Increased health awarenessandthe rise of convenience productshasled to a growing demandfornaturallyNonGMOandOrganiclecithinsources.
Some target food & beverage applicationsinclude chocolate and confectionery,baked goods, salad dressings anddairyproducts.A significant portion of CPG food products contain some form of emulsifier, most commonly lecithin.
Lecithinaids in binding fat and enhancing moisture inhigh proteinfood and beverageformulations. It works to improve mouthfeeland the dispersion of high-fat powders while creating a smooth, evenconsistencyacross applications.Lecithin also preventsfat separation inapplications that requireretort processing.Itsenhanced surfacequalities have also led to increased use across confectionery applications.
LECITHIN’SMULTI–FUNCTIONALITY ACROSS INDUSTRIES
Lecithinis an essential ingredient that offersvarioushealth benefitsto applications outside of the food and beverage industry.It is offered in a variety of different formats including liquid, powder and granules.Lecithin provides a good source of cholinewhich isessential for supporting cell membrane function.
Itiswidelyusedinpharmaceutical and cosmeticformulationsto enhanceproducttextureandstability.
An excellent emollient, lecithin compliments a variety of skin and hair care applications. Lip balms, lotions, creams, serums, hair conditionersand facial cleansersmayall benefit from theadditionof lecithin.
Lecithincan beconsumedas asupplementandis oftenused in the manufacturing of medications and pharmaceuticals.It serves a key role in stabilizing formulations and improving their bioavailability.It even aids in the penetration of some active ingredients such as retinol and vitamin C.
A DEMAND FOR NON-SOY LECITHIN
Sunflowerandrapeseed lecithin aretwoof theleading plant–based lecithin sources. They are free from allergens and animal by-products, contributing to their widespread appeal. Deciding which ingredient toformulate with largely depends on the target application, desired outcome and productavailability.
SUNFLOWER LECITHINVS.RAPESEED LECITHIN
Organic &NonGMOsunflower lecithin is sourced from one single ingredient: sunflower seeds.
The advantages of sunflower lecithinare vast. It offers arelatively neutral taste,very low odor,andstrongstability due to its lower linolenic acid content.Italsoprovides excellentdispersing and emulsifying properties due to its higherphosphatidylcholinecontent.
For applications wheresoy lecithin is preferred butorganic certificationand a hypoallergenic profile isessential,Austrade’s Organic Sunflower Lecithinis an ideal solution.Its performance quality and functionalityareequivalent to that of soy lecithin. Organic sunflower lecithin isan excellent choiceforpremium,organicandsensitivecare products.
Non-GMO rapeseed lecithin is alsoplant-based and derived from one single ingredient: oilseeds of the Brassica napus plant. It isa common choice for its cost-effectiveness, making it ideal across large-scale production applications.
For applications that do not require organic certification but a clean label is still essential,Austrade’s Non GMO Rapeseed Lecithinis the ideal choice. Rapeseed lecithin also offers a lower content of saturated fatcompared to sunflower lecithin. It serves asan excellent solutionfor brandsreformulatingtoreduceoverallsaturated fat content.
Pharmaceutical applications and cognitive blends may also benefit from the use ofNonGMOrapeseed lecithin.Although sunflower lecithin is rich in polyunsaturated fats, rapeseed lecithinhas ahigheromega-3 fatty acid content.
AUSTRADE INC:YOUR TRUSTED INGREDIENT PARTNER
As the regulatory landscape for food safety and standards continues to evolve, the demand for natural products is expected to grow.
Brands seeking to create healthy, natural products that align with evolving consumer demands will thrive.
Beverage brands may consider reformulating a functional beverage to reduce sugar content while maintaining viscosity.
Food brands may opt to enhance theprotein content of a snack innovation withoutaltering texture or flavor.
No matter the formulation, ourexpertise anddedication to transparency, sustainability, and clean label innovation positions us as a trusted partner.
Contact the leading North American lecithin company todayand let us help with your next project!
