ADM launches bright red cocoa powder

ADM Cocoa hopes to enable manufacturers to differentiate products and deliver uniquely attractive foods through the launch of a bright red cocoa powder.

The company claims to have set new standards in cocoa powder brightness and that this new powder will be conducive to use with value added products aimed at meeting customer's demands.

Launched at FiE 2005, the powder entitled D-11-ZR, is the first in a new range of brightly coloured cocoa powders to be released next year under the De Zaan brand.

ADM does not disclose specifically how it has made the powder red. It does however say it has developed by processing carefully selected cocoa beans under specific and strictly controlled conditions.

The powder is intended for use in many applications such as chocolate milk, ice cream and deserts. Confectionery manufactures in particular may find the new powder appealing as it may enable them to diversify their products with more visually appealing coatings.

ADM Cocoa International's, managing director, Joe Kenny said of the launch:

"We constantly strive to set new standards for colour and flavour in the industry. The introduction of this exceptional range of bright powder demonstrates how ADM draws on its resources to enable customers to differentiate their products helping them meet today's customer demands and envision tomorrow's needs."

ADM is one of the biggest agricultural processors in the world and has more than 250 processing plants, net sales for the last fiscal year amounted to $35 billion.