How food coating extends product shelf life: innovations, applications and expertise – Innov’ia

Food coating is an innovative technology for protecting and extending the shelf life of  many products. Using state-of-the-art processes, coating creates a protective barrier  around ingredients to limit the impact of oxygen, humidity and micro-organisms. In a context  where waste prevention and food safety are at the heart of concerns, coating is attracting increasing  interest in the food industry, as well as in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors. 

In this article, you’ll discover the importance of food coating and the innovations that  make it a major competitive lever. We’ll highlight Innov’ia‘s expertise in this field, and  the way in which its customized solutions meet the specific needs of industrials.  Finally, you’ll find a comprehensive FAQ to answer the most frequently asked questions,  as well as a call to action to contact Innov’ia directly.

Food coating consists of applying a film or protective layer on the surface of an ingredient to improve preservation, stability and sometimes even taste or texture. For example, in the agrifood sector, the aim is often to delay oxidation and reduce microbial degradation, in order to extend the shelf life of plant extracts, compounds of animal origin, or other sensitive ingredients.

There are several coating , some of which are already widely used, while others are  being developed through research and innovation. Among the most common are : 

• Spray coating: a liquid coating is sprayed directly onto the product surface,  creating a homogeneous film. 
• Immersion coating: the product is immersed in a coating solution to be  completely covered. 
• Microencapsulation: encapsulating active ingredients in microcapsules to  protect them and control their release. (To find out more, see Discover  microencapsulation and emulsion-based microencapsulation technologies). 
• Fluidized-air bed coating: hot air circulation fluidizes the  product facilitating the application of a fine, uniform coating. (For more information,  see our page on fluidized-air bed agglomeration). 

Thanks to coating, gas exchange and water loss are greatly reduced, slowing down spoilage processes. Products stay fresher for longer, offering a considerable commercial advantage: food can be transported and stored for longer, while maintaining its organoleptic quality.

Some coatings may include antimicrobial or antioxidant agents. This reduces the proliferation of pathogenic micro-organisms, which is essential for players in the food, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries. By integrating functional ingredients or bioactive compounds, coating plays a role in the safety and quality of finished products.

Coating also helps to preserve (and sometimes even enhance) the sensory  characteristics of foods, such as color, texture and taste. Some processes, for example,  mask unpleasant odors or stabilize flavors, providing a more pleasant taste experience  for the consumer. To find out more about ingredient functionalization, discover : Functionalizing ingredients

Microencapsulation is a key technology for encapsulating sensitive ingredients or  compounds in thin capsules. It is particularly useful for protecting fragile nutrients  (vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids), controlling the release of active ingredients or  masking undesirable flavors. For example, encapsulating 

omega-3 from fish oil oxidation and residual tastes. To find out more, you can also  discover dripping, an innovative encapsulation.

The fluidized air bed is a process in which a stream of hot air lifts and separates particles to ensure uniform coating. This method offers precise control over the thickness of the protective layer. LAF is particularly suitable for sensitive products such as food powders, nutritional supplements or pharmaceutical ingredients.

One of the major advantages of modern coating technologies is the ability to  modulate  the release kinetics. Depending on requirements, coatings can be designed to release an  active ingredient at a precise moment (in the digestive tract, for example) or gradually  (sustained-release system). This approach is much in demand in the dietary  supplements, sports nutrition and pharmaceutical sectors. 

For more details, visit our dedicated page: Controlled release of ingredients

With over 30 years of experience, Innov’ia is recognized for its expertise in formulation and  production of functional ingredients. The company offers state-of-the-art coating  services, adapted to a variety of fields: 

• Human and infant nutrition: to protect essential vitamins and nutrients. ● Animal nutrition and health: for coating additives and improving feed  preservation. 
• Cosmetics: to stabilize sensitive ingredients and guarantee their efficiency. 
• Pharmaceuticals: to encapsulate and release active ingredients in a targeted  manner. 

If you’re looking to develop innovative dietary supplements, find out more about our  innovative dietary supplement formulation solutions.

Innov’ia is committed to developing solutions that respect the environment, using biodegradable materials and processes that reduce our ecological footprint. The aim is to offer sustainable solutions while meeting the most demanding safety and quality standards. This approach is in line with growing consumer expectations for more responsible products.

The reliability and quality of Innov’ia’s services are backed by strict certifications and labels,  including : 

• ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000: for food safety. 
• GMP (part 2) : Good Manufacturing Practices for certain sectors. ● Kosher and Halal: to meet cultural and religious requirements. 
• Organic. 
• FAMI’QS: for the safety of ingredients intended for animal nutrition. 

Thanks to these certifications and labels, Innov’ia guarantees a high level of quality and  optimum traceability throughout the manufacturing process.

When a customer calls on Innov’ia, the first step is to precisely define the objectives:  product type, coating purpose (protection, controlled release, taste masking, etc.) and  any constraints (logistical, regulatory, etc.). A feasibility audit and preliminary study are  then carried out to propose the most suitable solution.

Innov’ia’s R&D teams then carry out laboratory tests to formulate the ideal coating. This  phase may include : 

• Selection of coating materials (natural polymer, film-forming agent, etc.) ● The possible incorporation of antimicrobial or antioxidant agents 
• Compatibility tests between the coating and the product to be coated 

Several iterations are often necessary to validate stability, efficacy and safety of the  coating. 

For certain formulations, spray-drying can be considered. Find out more  here: Spray drying 

Once the formulation has been validated, Innov’ia has the industrial capacity to produce quantities ranging from a few kilograms to several tonnes. This flexibility enables customers to carry out pilot tests before rolling out large-scale production. Throughout the production chain, rigorous quality controls are carried out to ensure that the final product complies with the defined specifications.

Functional foods: Coating has a variety of applications, including in the  development of functional foods, where it plays a key role in stabilizing and  protecting fragile nutrients such as vitamins B, C and D, which are often sensitive  to light, oxygen and heat. Thanks to coating, these nutrients retain their  beneficial properties for longer, enhancing their efficiency in fortified products.

By extending the shelf life of products, food coating offers several advantages: 

• Reduction of financial losses linked to out-of-date or non-compliant products.
• Optimized logistics: greater flexibility in inventory and transport  management. 
• Improved customer satisfaction: consumers benefit from fresher, higher quality products. 

Faced with the challenges of food safety, sustainability and competitiveness, food  coating represents a strategic technology for many industrials. Thanks to  techniques such as microencapsulation and fluidized air bed coating, it is possible  to extend shelf life, protect sensitive active ingredients, limit wastage and enhance the  sensory experience for consumers. 

Innov’ia has positioned itself as a major player in this field, offering customized, certified  solutions tailored to the requirements of a wide range of sectors: food, animal nutrition,  cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Whether you’re looking for new ideas to innovate with your  formulations, or want to optimize the stability of your products, Innov’ia is with you every  step of the way, from R&D to industrial deployment.

Would you like to find out more about the possibilities offered by food coating, or  discuss a specific project? Contact Innov’ia today to benefit from personalized  support and tailor-made solutions. 

• Get a quote for food product development
• advantage of a free consultation for your food formulation needs

Visit the official Innov’ia website 

Or call the sales department directly to discuss your requirements. 

With its expertise, certifications and environmental commitments, Innov’ia is the ideal  partner for developing functional ingredients and innovative formulations.