27 Mar 2024 --- Hydrocolloids are crucial to food and beverage formulation, but manufacturers must align these ingredients with the demands of the increasingly health-focused and environmentally-conscious consumer. Leading suppliers CP Kelco, Nexira and ADM tell us how they are bringing hydrocolloids “closer to nature” and boosting nutritional profiles without compromising on taste and texture. These functional ingredients are used to increase product consistency, control texture, flavor, color and shelf life and improve the gelling effect. Common hydrocolloids for thickening include starch and gums, while alginate and gelatin are among the popular hydrocolloids for gelling.