Nothing but the Flax

At the recent Supply Side West show, it seemed like there were omega-3 ingredients on every aisle! Omega-3 oils can be found in different sources, such as fish oil, algal oil, and flax. So many consumers are realizing the health benefits of omega-3, as studies show a diet high in ALA reduces the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol and by preventing the buildup of harmful deposits in arteries. In other studies, where scientists studied large groups of people to find disease trends, increasing the ALA content of the diet corresponded to a decrease in risk of stroke and heart disease.

In addition to being a sustainable crop, Flax seed is also an excellent source of ALA Omega 3 fatty acid, as well as Omega 6 & 9. If you develop food products, you will appreciate that Flax seed is easy to incorporate into a wide range of foods and contains dietary fiber and protein! Possible applications for flax include baked goods, beverages/smoothies, bread, waffles, wraps, pizza, pasta, chips, crackers, and cookies – just to name a few!

Our partners Heartland Flax are located in North Dakota, in the heart of flax country! Most of their flax is grown there, and their “Real Cold Milled” ( RCM Flax®) process is unique, allowing it to have a non-refrigerated shelf life of at least 24 months! Flax is available in whole seed, and several different mesh sizes. Call your favorite SPI Group sales person for details and to discuss how Flax may fit into your next project!