Bread containing omega-3 with no fishy aftertaste

Canola and flaxseed oil blend, Clear Valley® omega-3, provides omega-3 claim to Safeway® bread  

Whole grain breads are the hottest trend in sliced bread. Virtually all U.S. households (99 percent) use bread.¹ However, a significant shift has taken place over the past decade in bread consumption whereby breads containing whole grain have started to overtake white breads made with refined flour. Packaged wheat bread surpassed white bread in dollar sales, according to Nielsen Co. for the 52 weeks ending July 10, 2010.

Flooded with news about heart health, fiber intake and the need for omega-3s, more consumers are looking for nutritious breads that taste great. Sensing this change, Safeway created a line of all natural whole grain breads and reformulated existing breads to significantly improve their fiber and calcium content while also reducing sodium. 

In addition, Safeway’s top selling variety bread, Safeway® Kitchens 15 Grains & Seeds, was reformulated to provide an Alpha-linolenic Acid (ALA) omega-3 claim from a canola and flaxseed oil blend. Alpha linolenic acid is an essential fatty acid because it cannot be produced by the body and must be acquired through the diet.  The addition of the omega-3 claim created a market opportunity for Safeway but it also gave them the chance to simply bake bread with healthier oil. Safeway was focused on delivering "better for you" bread varieties and Clear Valley® omega-3 canola oil presented a great solution backed by consumer insights.

Safeway used Clear Valley® omega-3 oil to reformulate their top selling variety bread. This Clear Valley® oil product is a unique canola and flaxseed oil blend that provides food manufacturers with a method to add a source of Alpha-linolenic Acid (ALA) omega-3 to shelf stable products without affecting product taste, mouth-feel or shelf life. 

From a food formula perspective, Clear Valley® omega-3 oil is a “drop-in” solution. Clear Valley® omega-3 oil has great flexibility:

• Easily replaces existing liquid oil
• Highly stable — specially formulated to work in shelf-stable products
• No need to adjust recipes or formulas
• 1 Tbsp. includes 1 gram of Saturated Fat and 4 grams of ALA 0
• Won’t gum up your lines or slow down production
• No fishy odor
• Cargill Technical Services Group experts available to help with the transition
• Applications: cookies, cereal, breads, bars, crackers, muffins, margarines, spreads, dressing, sauces

Safeway® Kitchens 15 Grain & Seeds bread with omega-3 oil provides a good source of fiber, calcium, whole grains and omega-3, thanks to Clear Valley® canola oil.  According to Ken Ruud, from Cargill’s Horizon Milling Business Unit, “Safeway’s new bread portfolio is off to a great start in exceeding sales expectations and pleasing more consumers.” 

¹Fresh baked goods in the U.S. 2010 Packaged Facts