Our book "GUM ARABIC and its secrets" is out!
In 2024, Alland & Robert is celebrating its 140th anniversary !
To mark the occasion, we publish a book with the editions Flammarion: “GUM ARABIC AND ITS SECRETS”, written by journalist and filmmaker Constance de Bonnaventure.
Telling the fascinating story of acacia gum
Acacia gum, also known as gum arabic, has been a staple resource for humans since prehistoric times. Today, it has become a highly prized product in various industrial sectors.
Its development is inextricably associated with Alland & Robert, which in 2024 celebrates 140 years of existence. Published by Flammarion, “Gum Arabic and its secrets” features an introduction by former Alland & Robert CEO Frédéric Alland, and takes the reader on a journey through civilisations as they explore the product’s captivating history.
Where to find the book?
Available in both French and English, the complete list of librairies and website where the book can be found is available on our editor Flammarion’s website, for each version. The book costs 35€.
Acacia, a resource that spans civilisations, continents and eras
“Gum Arabic and its secrets” is the comprehensive guide to acacia gum. It retraces the product’s history throughout the ages, highlighting its importance to African communities and taking the reader through to its role in the modern day.
Gum Arabic is an ancestral foodstuff that has now become a component in many industrial products, acacia gum likely still has many hidden powers to unveil. The book also explores the myriad uses of acacia gum, including recipes that will allow readers to incorporate this ingredient in their own home cooking.
The story is told through the evolution of Alland & Robert, which was founded 140 years ago and has established itself as the global market leader in acacia gum manufacturing. Since its creation, the company has worked to support gum harvesters and explore the product’s broader potential; it undertakes research work alongside industrial operators in various sectors, using a virtuous business model that respects both the planet and human beings.
How do acacia gum' unique qualities address today's challenges ?
Driven by Alland & Robert’s research and development efforts, acacia gum has become an essential ingredient in terms of addressing modern-day consumption trends. It is suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets, allows for a reduction in sugar content in industrial recipes, boosts the dietary fibre content of products and is easy-to-use for both industrial operators and home cooks.
This multi-functional product is used in a wide variety of consumer goods, including cosmetics, drinks, confectionery items, pharmaceutical products, dairy products and dairy substitutes, etc.
Another major asset is the fact that acacia gum is 100% natural and does not undergo any chemical modifications during processing, ensuring its intrinsic properties are preserved. Harvesting acacia gum is not harmful to the environment, and provides a revenue stream for communities living in the areas where acacia trees grow. This region of Africa, sometimes called the ‘Gum Belt’, extends from Senegal to Eritrea, passing through Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Cameroon, Chad and Sudan.
Details
- Published on April 3rd, 2024 by Flammarion – Find the book on Flammarion website :
- Genre : Nature
- Cost: 35€
- Format: 208 pages – 240 x 270 mm
- Printed in color – Hardback
- EAN : 9782080418241
- ISBN : 9782080418241
AGENDA: All the 2024 tradeshows !
AGENDA OF THE YEAR 2024
Join the Alland & Robert teams at:
♦ JANUARY 16-18: COSMET’AGORA
Paris, Lavollée booth
- ♦ MARCH: CFIA
Rennes, Firmalis booth
- ♦ MARCH 19-21: FI CHINA
Shanghai, DKSH China booth
- ♦ APRIL 16-18: IN COSMETICS
Paris, booth 1S119
- ♦ MAY 1-2: SUPPLIERS’ DAY
New York, DKSH North America booth 1119
- ♦ JULY 15-17: IFT
Chicago, Farbest Brands booth 2816
- ♦ SEPTEMBER 4-6: FI ASIA
Jakarta, DKSH Indonesia booth B1B08
- ♦ OCTOBER 29-31: SSW
Las Vegas, Farbest Brands booth 4071
- ♦ NOVEMBER 19-21: FI EUROPE
Frankfurt, Booth 3.0F80
Alland & Robert obtains first ever fair trade certification for acacia gum
The Fair For Life certification reflects the long standing commitment of Alland & Robert towards its industry and local communities.
FairFor Life-certified acacia gum is now available through Alland & Robert, for both seyal and senegal qualities. This is the first time that such a certification is obtained in the gum acacia industry, reflecting our unique commitment towards our supply chain and the local communities we work with. Alland & Robert advocates for ethical supply chains and leads by exemplarity. We constantly seek to surpass ourselves and go beyond regulatory requirements and customers’expectations, in order to be the leader of a fair industry that respects human rights and the environment. Products displaying the FFL label are guaranteed to come from environmentally friendly processes practiced by fairly paid farmers, from a transparent and traceable supply chain.
Violaine Fauvarque, sustainability manager at Alland & Robert, declared: « This certification is the result of our ambitious corporate and social responsibility policy. To us, this is the recognition of our long-term efforts towards a gum acacia supply chain that is beneficial to all parties involved. Fair trade promotes healthy and beneficial trade for people and the Earth. Participating in this collective effort makes us particularly proud”.
Charles Alland, CEO of Alland & Robert, said: “As the leading expert of acacia gum worldwide, we have a responsibility to our stakeholders. Our commitment to fair relations and sustainable products has been part of this company and its values since our beginnings . This certification embodies our unique work towards the local communities, and it strengthens our lasting relationships with our suppliers in the Sahel. We are extremely proud to be the first to achieve this certification, as we know it will meet the consumers’ demand for ethics, traceability, and transparency “.
The Fair For Life certification is an international standard for Fair Trade and responsible supply-chains.
Fair for Life promotes an approach of Fair Trade that allows producers and harvesters to take charge of their destinies through the recognition of their work. It is a collective and meaningful construction of life and society. The Fair For Life certification is also a guarantee of strict economic, social and environmental standards, set by the Ecocert group.
Fair Trade is part of a broader context of sustainable development within a region that safeguards and supports the local social fabric, particularly in rural settings.
Particularly demanding, the FAIR FOR LIFE label guarantees:
💰 a fair purchase price higher than market prices,
🤝 purchase commitments over 3 years minimum,
📉 a protection mechanism for producers in the event of a crisis,
🙏 decent and safe working conditions throughout the sector,
💪 strengthening the autonomy of producers,
🌍 environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
These principles apply throughout the whole supply chain covering producers, traders, manufacturers and brand holders.
This certification comes in addition to several other initiatives of Alland & Robert for an ethical and sustainable supply-chain, such as being a member of the SEDEX (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange) since 2006, committing to the WE-USE-WILD pledge from NGO TRAFFIC and launching a reforestation initiative in partnership with NGO TREE AID.
Alland & Robert becomes a member of the VALORIAL network for food innovation
Alland & Robert is proud to announce that we’ve become a member of the French network Valorial, the first network devoted to agri-food innovation through a collaborative approach.
Product innovation is at the heart of the success of Alland & Robert, thanks to a constantly evolving Research & Development strategy.
Joining Valorial enables us to continue our work in applied and basic research while collaborating with other organizations, sharing development projects and creating innovation challenges. With nearly 400 members including manufacturers, research centers and higher education establishments, the Valorial network brings together a community of over 10,000 innovators driven by the same ambition: imagining the food of tomorrow.
In addition, because Valorial is located in France’s Grand Ouest region (Europe’s leading agri-food hub), it’s a great opportunity for Alland & Robert to participate to local projects and get involved in our home region of Normandy !
On the occasion of Alland & Robert joining the network, Valorial interviewed our R&D Director Dr. Isabelle Jaouen, and the article is available online.
A dedicated team and high-technology equipment
Today’s knowledge provides the foundation for future innovation. We aim at supporting our clients in providing the most natural, safe and environmental friendly products to end-customers.
Alland & Robert laboratory is based in Normandy, working on developping recipes, testing products, and meeting the customers expectations.
A team of 4 is fully dedicated to Applied Research in order to continuously launch innovation projects and develop the applications of tree exudates. In addition, our laboratory regularly acquires the latest equipment, and we use a trained panel for sensory analysis in applicative research.
Partnerships with universities and research organizations
Alland & Robert has developped close partnerships with various internationally recognized universities, and we develop R&D programs in order to acquire the best knowledge of gum, with the support of Ph.D students, master trainees and up-to-date research teams.
Alland & Robert is committed to a strong partnership with IATE (University of Montpellier, France), an international laboratory renowned for their knowledge and expertise about acacia gum. In addition, we regularly work with various food innovation and research networks.
Alland & Robert, winner of the International Life Sciences Awards 2023
We are pleased to share that Alland & Robert has been named “Manufacturer of natural gum of the year 2023” by the International Life Science Awards.
On July 26, 2023, Global Health and Pharma Magazine announced the winners of the International Life Sciences Awards 2023. Alland & Robert is proud to be amond the winners.
This is the 8th year of the International Life Sciences Awards, which celebrate a wide scope of excellence shown across the global Life Sciences industry.
The International Life Sciences Awards focus on innovation and endeavours to recognise those that are going above and beyond. Their goal is to spotlight the work of businesses that are making meaningful steps forward.
Violaine Fauvarque, Marketing & Sustainability Manager at Alland & Robert declared: “Alland & Robert is privileged and humbled to receive this award, recognizing excellence in our field and our work for high quality and service. This is a shared award. We are hugely grateful to all collaborators and stakeholders who have supported us along the way”.
We remain committed to our mission and look forward to using this positive recognition to further our contributions to our industry.
We look forward to continue to work together and achieve excellence and be a force for good in our industry.
Global Health & Pharma Magazine wrote about the International Life Science Awards 2023:
Operating in an industry rife with cutting-edge technologies, scientific advancements, and evolving regulatory requirements, life sciences companies are constantly working to keep up with new developments and stay ahead of their competitors. In this, innovation is at the forefront of their minds. Their breakthrough discoveries can impact the lives of patients across the world by facilitating the development of novel products and treatments.
The last few years have revealed the true resilience and strength of the life sciences industry as it faced the Covid-19 pandemic head on. Whilst we have now returned to normalcy in 2023, the effects of the recent years are still fresh in our minds. We have not forgotten the role our key healthcare businesses and organisations played in enabling us to reach the other side of the pandemic.
Access the special edition of Global Health & Pharma media with the full list of winners
Gum acacia, nutritional improvement & nutrition labels
In Europe, the Nutri Score has become a simple but essential key that food manufacturers take into account when formulating innovative products. What role can acacia play in nutritional labelling?
Did you know that the addition of acacia gum can help to improve the Nutri Score of food products ? Our research has shown that acacia gum can support the creation of healthier food products and help improve their nutritional information and labelling.
WHAT IS NUTRITIONAL LABELLING? THE EXAMPLE OF EUROPE & THE NUTRI SCORE
The Nutri-Score, also called 5-Colour Nutrition label, is a european rating system displayed on food products in order to convey information on the nutritional quality of foods. It takes into account both nutrients to limit (calories, saturated fat, sugars and salt) and elements to favour (fibre, proteins, nuts, fruits and vegetables).
Food products are assigned a colour (from green to red) and letter from A (healthier) to E (less healthy) based on the resulting score, calculated per 100g or 100ml. As a science-based front-of-pack nutrition label, the Nutri Score helps consumers make healthier food choices.
The Nutri Score is now available in France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, The Netherlands and Luxembourg. But other countries have nutrition labelling that are equivalent, such as Australia and New Zealand and their ‘Health Star Rating System’ composed of 5 stars.
Nutritional labelling is very much liked by consumers, as it is one the best tools they have at their disposal to make informed, healthy choices. For food manufacturers, the Nutri-Score is becoming a simple but essential key to take into account when formulating innovative products: it is encouraging manufacturers to improve the nutritional value of their products!
HOW TO REFORMULATE PRODUCTS : THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF GUM ACACIA
Gum acacia can be used as an ingredient in food formulations to help improve certain aspects that contribute to a better Nutri-Score. Here are a few:
REDUCED FAT CONTENT: Acacia gum can be used as a fat substitute in certain food applications, such as dressings, sauces, and baked goods. It helps compensate the effects of the reduction of fat content in a formulation with acacia gum. The overall fat content and caloric density of the product can be reduced, which can lead to a better Nutri-Score.
SUGAR REDUCTION: Acacia gum has adhesive properties and can be used as a binding agent or stabilizer in food products such as nutritional bars, to make all ingredients stick together. It will also enhance the sweetness or flavor of a product, which makes it possible to reduce the amount of added sugars used to achieve desired texture and mouthfeel, without compromising taste. Lower sugar content can result in an improved Nutri-Score.
FIBER ENRICHMENT: Acacia gum is a dietary prebiotic fiber that can be added to food products to increase their fiber content, which is one of the factors considered in the Nutri-Score calculation. Higher fiber content is associated with a healthier nutritional profile.
CALORIE REDUCTION: Acacia gum has a relatively low caloric content compared to other ingredients used in food processing. By replacing higher-calorie ingredients with acacia gum, food products can achieve calorie reduction, which can positively impact the Nutri-Score.
IMPROVING NUTRITIONAL LABELLING: THE EXAMPLE OF MULTIGRAIN BISCUITS
Biscuits are extremely popular and even though their sensory and texture characteristics can differ, they are convenient, have long shelf life and provide a great experience to consumers. However, biscuits can also have a very low nutritive value as they are generally made with wheat flour and have high glycemic index.
In this situation, fiber enrichment and sugar reduction are concrete solutions to add nutritional value to baked products in general, and meet the consumers’ expectations.
The Alland & Robert R&D team worked on the formulation of biscuits with acacia gum and measured its impact of various criteria such as sugar content, texture, appearance or sensory experience.
The research, summarized in a technical paper that can be requested for download, showed that biscuits with acacia gum are generally preferred and categorized as “high quality” in sensory analysis. Their characteristics and nutritional value are improved, compared to their control recipes without acacia gum. The addition of acacia gum is particularly interesting when combined with sugar reduction, which is today an strong requirement from customers all over the world.
The R&D team used a standard multi-grain recipe of biscuit with a Nutri Score C. They reformulated the recipe with a 30% reduction of sugar content and a 3% addition of acacia gum, which produced a Nutri Score of A.
ACACIA GUM, RECOGNIZED AS A DIETARY FIBER
In Europe, acacia gum has long been recognized as a fiber. Nutrition claims are applicable for acacia gum: either “source of fiber” or “high in fiber”, depending on the dosage*.
In the United States, acacia gum can be classified as a fibre for nutrition labelling purposes since December 2021. This decision from the FDA has allowed acacia gum to count as a dietary fibre on American Nutrition and Supplement Facts labels.
Strong scientific literature demonstrates that Acacia gum is a fibre. The FDA has agreed that acacia gum has physiological effects beneficial to human health, such as the reduction of blood glucose and insulin levels after it is eaten with a meal containing a carbohydrate that raises blood glucose levels.
ACACIA GUM, A NATURAL, VEGETAL & SAFE SOLUTION FOR THE FORMULATION OF FOOD & DRINKS, WITH A POSITIVE IMPACT ON DIGESTIVE HEALTH
A study commissioned by Alland & Robert from an independent consumer research organization established the positive impact of acacia gum on gut health and digestive wellness. In recent years, the gastrointestinal (GI) system has been linked to numerous aspects of health. Alland & Robert decided to research to role acacia gum can play in gut health, evaluate the impact of acacia gum on consumers who suffer from intestinal disorders regularly and provide scientific data that support the use of acacia gum as a gut health agent.
Acacia gum, also known as gum arabic or E414, is a natural, vegetal, safe and healthy additive used in flavours, beverages, confectionery, dairy, bakery and dietary products. Acacia gum is today found in thousands of day to day products all over the world.
Alland & Robert guarantees a minimum fibre content of 90% for all products of its range “Acacia Fibre“. Organic and other certifications are available upon request.
While acacia gum can support the creation of healthier food products, the overall composition and balance of ingredients play a significant role in determining the Nutri-Score. Acacia gum is one tool among many that food manufacturers can utilize to enhance the nutritional profile of their products.
*Local legislation should always be checked for labelling options during the formulation of food products.
Situation in Sudan: a statement from the Association for International Promotion of Gums
As a member of AIPG (Association for International Promotion of Gums), Alland & Robert relays the below statement regarding the situation of the gum acacia industry in Sudan.
April 28, 2023 – AIPG Information on current supply situation of gum arabic
AIPG members are aware of the extremely problematic situation in Sudan and sincerely hope that a peaceful solution will soon be found.
AIPG members are monitoring the development of the situation and keep in touch with their local contacts. Based on decades of experience in the Sudan business and generally as producers, importers and manufacturers of natural products from all over the world, AIPG members do not believe that the supply situation of end users of gum Arabic is at risk.
Like many other importers, our member companies keep sufficient stocks of gum Arabic imported from Sudan and other countries in their warehouses, so that possible interruptions in supply – for whatever reason that might occur – can be absorbed.
Further on, it must also be considered that Sudan is not the only supplier country for gum Arabic, as also countries like Chad and Nigeria significantly contribute to the supply continuity of the market. Thus, in AIPG´s estimation, immediate supply bottlenecks are not to be expected because of the current events in Sudan.
***
This statement will be updated if necessary.
Charles Alland appointed as chairman and CEO of Alland & Robert
On 31 March 2023, Charles Alland was appointed CEO of Alland & Robert, taking over the reins from his father Frédéric Alland. Charles will continue to develop the company internationally and diversify into new markets.
Charles Alland had held the position of deputy general manager within the family business since the end of 2017. He started his career in consulting, after studying international business. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics with Politics from the University of Buckingham and graduated with a Master of Science in Management from the University College London in 2015.
“We will continue to grow and diversify our business, while at the same time investing to meet our carbon reduction goals. Acacia gum offers significant development potential in many industries where natural and plantbased product choices are a key consumer trend.”
Charles Alland, CEO Alland & Robert
Frédéric and his son Charles Alland (right) in Senegal in 2019.
ACCELERATING AND EXPANDING ALLAND & ROBERT’S DEVELOPMENT
In taking over from his father, Charles intends to continue weaving family history that began in 1884. He will continue to internationalize the company and support ongoing projects, including the construction of a fourth production workshop at the Normandy site of Saint Aubin sur Gaillon. Set for completion in 2023, this expansion will increase the company’s production capacity by 50% to meet strong global demand for acacia gum – and create around 30 new jobs.
Charles will keep exploring the multitude of opportunities offered by the cosmetics market, following the launch of Alland & Robert’s DemeCare® range in 2022.
He is also set on perpetuating the company’s scientific and technical expertise by continuing the application research conducted in Alland & Robert’s R&D laboratory. He will develop fundamental research through an exclusive partnership with the Agropolymer Engineering & Emerging Technologies (Supagro IATE) department at the University of Montpellier (Agropolymer Engineering and Emerging Technologies).
Charles Alland is – and will continue to be – very involved in Alland & Robert’s social, ethical and environmental commitments, including the projects run by the Alland Corporate Foundation, which supports local communities that harvest natural gums in Africa.
FRÉDÉRIC ALLAND SETS AN INTERNATIONAL PATH
As President and CEO of Alland & Robert from 1988 to 31 March 2023, Frédéric Alland strongly accelerated the company’s international development. This success is reflected by the fact that 95% of the company’s turnover came exports at the end of 2022.
Frédéric will remain involved in the Alland Foundation. Created in 2021, the Alland Foundation acts in partnership with Tree Aid, a British NGO specialized in reforesting African drylands and a key player in the Great Green Wall project.
Founded in 1884, Alland & Robert is a French family business and pioneer in natural tree exudates. Drawing on deep expertise in gum acacia, an all-natural additive and ingredient, Alland & Robert exports to over 70 countries. To ensure the highest product quality and sustainable practices, Alland & Robert is fully committed to an ambitious corporate social responsibility strategy. This approach is based on a large network of raw material suppliers in Africa, international certifications, a dedicated R&D team and research partnership with internationally renowned universities.