Pectin
UniPECTINE® solutions - Uniquely perfected for you
Sourced from citrus peels and apple pomace, label-friendly pectin has appeal for a wide range of applications. This label-friendly texturizer with gelling and thickening functionalities features in everything from ice cream to vegan gummies. Fruit remain the biggest application area for pectin, while dairy is providing more and more opportunities. Pectin is especially popular in vegan and reduced-sugar formulations.
Pectin has widespread consumer recognition as an ingredient by evoking memories of homemade jams and jellies “like grandma made.” Pectin also plays into key consumer trends such as sugar reduction, label-friendliness, and sustainability. It all contributes to favorable consumer perception.
Cargill's pectin offering
Pectin is one of the core ingredients in the Cargill label-friendly portfolio. Our passionate teams go above and beyond to ensure our UniPECTINE® solutions are helping to meet your unique formulation and texture needs. We take the time to understand your specific needs in order to provide solutions, not just products. Whether you are looking for specific gelation, setting speed, viscosity, mouthfeel or stabilization, there is a UniPECTINE® solution that has undergone extensive testing and will help to deliver an outstanding consumer product. We offer high-quality nature-derived fruit pectin solutions (HM & LM) in one of the widest pectin ranges commercially available.
Pectin, a versatile ingredient for innovative textures
Pectin is an ingredient and a natural component of plants. Pectin occurs in many fruits but is especially abundant in apples and citrus fruits. Fruit pectin is associated with cellulose in plant tissues, where it plays a fundamental role in determining their mechanical properties.
Pectin, as a food ingredient, can be used as a gelling agent, thickening agent and stabilizer in food applications.
7% growth in new product launches containing pectin in Europe (2023 vs. 2022).*
50% of European consumers are familiar with pectin as a key ingredient in food.**
Innovating to meet your needs
The broad UniPECTINE® range of solutions combined with our support will help you to stay fully on trend. Our experts are here to ensure that we always select the best pectin fit for your product needs. They'll help you navigate the technical demands of a whole range of specifications in terms of reactivity, pH, calcium content of fruit, filling temperature, and more.
By partnering with Cargill, we’ll take your product formulation even further. Through the combination of our technical & application expertise and our unparalleled portfolio, you can always be confident that you have the best support at hand.
For example, by listening to your needs in an evolving market, we’ve developed a high performance, label-friendly pectin family that sets a new standard for high fruit/low sugars, and which is suited for both conventional and organic market applications. We’re proud to introduce you to LMCPlus for fruit and dairy applications.
Sustainability
At Cargill, we are working to nourish the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way and drive positive change across our supply chains. This includes supporting the creation of a more sustainable pectin supply chain and to more sustainable production.
Our factories are designed with sustainability in mind, promoting responsible production and sourcing practices. As an example, at our advanced plant in Malchin we are tackling waste reduction head-on by partnering with a local biomass facility. By utilizing citrus waste from our plant, we can generate renewable steam, securing a more sustainable energy source while minimizing environmental impact.
Unlocking pectin's powerful potential
Discover the on-trend ingredient in jams, dairy and more!
UniPECTINE® is tested for various applications
Dairy & Non-Dairy Drinks
Acid Dairy Drinks. Yogurt drinks. Plant-based drinks.Dairy & Non-Dairy Desserts
Dairy desserts. Plant-based desserts.Fermented Dairy
Yogurt. Sour cream. Plant-based fermented products.
Confectionery
Fruit paste. Gelled articles. Fillings. Reformed fruit. Fruit snacksBeverages
Soft, diet & fruit juices. Juice drink concentrates. Carbonated beverages. Nutritional fruit drinks. Flavored waters.
Convenience
Food & Beverage powders. Tomato sauces. Dressings & emulsified sauces. Marinades. Margarine & spreads.
Pharma
Ostomy devices & accessories. Wound dressings. Throat lozenges. Soft capsules. Oral suspensions.
More information
Functionality
High methoxyl (HM) pectins are defined as those with a DE equal to or above 50, while low methoxyl (LM) pectins have a DE of less than 50.
LM pectins can be acid or alkali-treated. LM pectins also can be either amidated (LMA) or non-amidated (LMC).
Regulatory status
Pectin is generally regarded as a safe food substance. Its composition and use is regulated under food additive law in the EU, and it is GRAS in the USA. It is also included in the International Codex Alimentarius. Particular references include:
FAO/WHO - Codex Alimentarius
Pectins have been given an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of "not specified" by the FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), and are listed on that basis in the Codex General Standard for Food Additives.
European Union
In EU, Pectin as E 440 (i) and Amidated Pectin E 440 (ii) have not been given an ADI, as assessed in 2017 by the European Food Safety Authority. The purity criteria for both additives are laid down in EU Commission Regulation (EU)/231/2012. The use of pectin in most food categories comes with a “quantum satis”, but for some foods restrictions may be applicable. Detailed information can be found in Annex II of Commission Regulation (EC)/1333/2008.
Manufacture
Cargill started its pectin production of HM pectins in 1948 and of LM pectins in 1965.
The manufacturing of pectin in all its varieties requires a high level of production expertise. Raw material seleciton, production processes, formulation know-how and quality management are all key areas of expertise supported by Cargill's research and application centers.
Production sites
Cargill's production facilities are among the most advanced in the world. Highly sophisticated manufacturing processes are used to ensure a fast and flexible response to customers' requirements. Thanks to the recent addition of adding a 4th facility in Brazil to our supply network of existing three plants, Cargill has strengthened its position as a reliable supplier of pectin.
Cargill manufactures pectin at the following locations:
