IFF's CapLock Helps Consumers Savor Flavor

New York, New York (July 7, 2003) International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF) today announced the launch of CapLock, a new flavor encapsulation technology. CapLock's superior encapsulation technology provides premium flavor quality and stability, even after 24 months of storage. IFF's CapLock flavors have a wide range of uses (e.g. instant beverage powders, instant tea powders, tea leaves, confectionery, chewing gum, baked goods, dry savory mixes, etc.) and come in a variety of flavor types.

CapLock provides improved top note retention resulting in fresher flavor profiles, compared to traditional encapsulation technologies such as regular spray drying. A stability study comparing the results of CapLock Orange to a Spray Dry Orange revealed that CapLock encapsulation technology provides excellent protection to flavor components over time, especially against oxidation. Savory type CapLock flavors have also demonstrated excellent stability. This is important to product developers who are looking for long flavor shelf-life in consumer products.

CapLock provides resistance against moisture absorption during typical handling in food manufacturing facilities. CapLock also provides protection against moisture absorption during storage in products such as bagged tea leaves. CapLock holds up extremely well under humid conditions. "This is particularly important for powdered beverage mixes, which are popular during the hot summer months, and which may be consumed in parts of the globe with very hot, humid climates," says IFF's Ton Mesters, vice president, global business development, beverages.

CapLock's typical particle size distribution is 250-850 microns. "We use a proprietary extrusion technology specially designed for the food industry," says Mike Popplewell, director, delivery systems, IFF R&D. "It retains more of the top notes because the process doesn't remove water. Also it produces denser, larger particles than does spray drying so there is less opportunity for diffusion." This particle size distribution provides excellent mixing distribution characteristics in a wide variety of applications.

There are different matrix designs engineered for a variety of applications. Miniscule oil droplets in the CapLock encapsulation matrix are very consistent in size, providing an even distribution of key flavor components throughout the matrix. CapLock, in its standard form as a quick water-soluble matrix, is available for products such as instant beverage powders, instant ice tea powders, and tea leaves. CapLock High Melt is appropriate for confectionery products processed at high temperature. IFF continues to develop CapLock systems applicable to other food products as well, including a system that dissolves very slowly in an aqueous environment in order to maintain flavors in baked goods or batters.