As a food processor or food scientist, you know when it comes to food products it's all about appearance, taste and texture; food gums makers know that, too. Consumers take texture for granted, but gums play a vital role in the food industry from making a turkey glaze to thickening cake frosting.

Located across the US and also internationally, producers of food gums supply the necessary ingredients for a food's consistency properties and how it handles in cold and heat.

You'll likely find working with gums, gum distributors and manufacturers is a relatively simple process, but consider the following information:

1. Makers of food gums must adhere to FDA guidelines just like those who make additives and preservatives that are incorporated into foods.

2. Distributors of food gums can generally offer wholesale, bulk prices for the large bakery or food processing company.

3. Gums in food are used for texture changes, to stabilize crystals or to thicken foods, among many other uses.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research applications and uses of food gums

Enhancing food quality rather than reducing it is the objective of properly applied food gums. They can also be used in place of more laborious processes and maintain a food's texture whether frozen or thawed. The benefits are endless and more and more prominent chefs are promoting the use of food gums.

I recommend: Gum Technology explains how gums are used as a stabilizing agent in many different foods. Learn more about specific gums and how they are used at TIC Gums.

Choose food gums producers that fit your standards and needs

Not only does the latest processing equipment matter, so do proximity to the raw material, high standards of quality and longevity in business. All of those characteristics should factor into your decision to work with a particular food gums manufacturer. Work only with the best.

I recommend: From sodium carboxymethyl cellulose gum to sucrose esters, alginates and fiber sources, Multi-Kem produces many different gum products. The Carrageenan Company manufactures a wide variety of gums used in dairy, meat and other food applications, as well as non-food applications, too.

Purchase the products you need from food gums distributors

When choosing a distributor, make sure to compare prices but also the rate of delivery. Slow shipping times can slow down productivity and cost you money in the long run, as much as or more than a higher market price.

I recommend: From imports and exports to wholesale orders, browse the list of products provided by Willy Benecke. Chemcolloids Limited offers a variety of products for food applications including guar, xanthan, carrageenan and locust bean gum, just to name a few.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Manufacturers constantly update or come up with new uses of gums in food processing. Don't be afraid to try new solubles that come out on the market.