Fruit gums are very popular and trendy. For several years now, pharmaceutical and start-up companies have recognized this trend, now trying to use so-called nutraceuticals together with the increased health awareness in society in order to generate new sales with appropriate offers.
In future, fruit gums will take on a more and more important market share in pharmaceutical sector as so-called over-the-counter (OTC) products. Gummy products as modern chewable tablets with a popular chewing texture and its variety of attractive shapes will leave the old-fashioned tablet behind. All major pharmaceutical companies are already researching the development of products with aspirin, acetaminophen, cyclophenac, ginko and other over-the-counter medicines.
Winkler und Dünnebier Süßwarenmaschinen GmbH (WDS) recognized this trend many years ago and, together with specialized partner companies, developed a starch free fruit gum production. The results of these years of development is the so-called Fast Forward Process (FFP): a concept of hygienic fruit gum production without starch powder.
Manufacturing such products needs strict legal and hygienic requirements: in addition to a high-precision cooking, dosing, cooling and de-moulding process, research must also include a precise and documentable dosage of the additives, adequate cleaning and avoidance of cross-contamination – also regarding to the GMP concept (good manufacture practice) of the plant.
Fruit gums with biologically active additives (nutraceuticals) or over-the-counter drugs (OTC drugs) can only be posited into washable silicone moulds or directly into packaging. The FFP concept – co-developed by WDS – works with conventional or commercial gelatine, which due to its special composition has fast-gelling properties. These properties are mainly responsible for texture and haptics. The final structure formation takes place in the subsequent packaging, which can be in form of bags, bottles, flow packs or directly in blisters as “Made in Pack” application.
WDS starchless moulding plants are modular, space-saving production lines. In addition to that, plants of this type have been used for many years for jelly production based on pectin, carrageenan and agar agar. Toffees, fondant products or soft caramels can also be produced by means of such moulding lines. With FFP, the confectionery manufacturer WDS is able to deliver a complete basic concept for a modern, safe, hygienic and documentable production of fruit gums with special additives for an increasingly growing product segment.
ProSweets, Halle 10.1, Stand B 50
