The Banana Paste (Art. No. 869052) produced by S.C. EXPERTAROM FOOD INGREDIENTS S.R.L., Sibiu, Romania, is a viscous yellow paste developed specifically for use in the food industry, particularly in the production of ice cream. It is not intended for direct consumption but rather as an ingredient incorporated into food formulations. The recommended dosage is approximately 20 g of banana paste per 1 kg of mix, allowing manufacturers to achieve a consistent banana flavour and colour in the final product.
The paste is formulated from sugar, water, glucose syrup, and 15% banana puree, combined with modified starch to achieve its characteristic texture. It also contains curcumin as a colouring agent, flavourings, citric acid as an acid, potassium sorbate as a preservative, and sodium citrate as an acidity regulator. At 20°C, the product has a viscous consistency, a yellow colour, and a typical banana aroma and taste.
From a physico-chemical perspective, the paste has a Brix value of approximately 59°Bx (±3) and a pH of 4.8 (±0.5) at 20°C. Nutritionally, the product provides 992 kJ / 233.5 kcal per 100 g, with less than 0.1 g of fat, 57.3 g of carbohydrates (of which 51.0 g are sugars), 0.3 g of fibre, less than 0.1 g of protein, and 0.07 g of salt.
Microbiological specifications ensure product safety and quality, with limits set at maximum 1000 cfu/g for total germ count, 10 cfu/g for Enterobacteria, and 100 cfu/g for yeasts and moulds. The product complies with Regulation (EC) No. 2023/915 regarding contaminants.
The banana paste is supplied in food-grade polypropylene (PP) sealed buckets. For optimal quality, it should be stored in its original unopened packaging in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight at temperatures between 5°C and 25°C. After opening, it should be kept refrigerated at 0–8°C, with the container properly closed after each use. The paste should also be homogenised before use. Under these recommended storage conditions and in its original packaging, the product has a shelf life of 24 months from the production date.