Encapsulation of components into edible products

An edible and chewable product comprising:

• a) a free-flowing particulate mixture which comprises at least one fat, at least one starch, and at least one sugar which have been mixed and heated, said at least one starch having a degree of gelatinization of less than about 50%, and
• b) an encapsulant,
• wherein the encapsulant is embedded or encapsulated in a dough made substantially from the free-flowing mixture and a plasticizer, said dough being dried to a shelf-stable moisture content.

An edible matrix composition having a chewable texture comprising:

• a matrix comprising at least one plasticizer and a free-flowing particulate mixture, said free-flowing mixture comprising at least one fat, at least one starch, and at least one sugar which have been mixed and heated without substantially gelatinizing said at least one starch;
• and
• at least one component encapsulated by the matrix and selected from the group consisting of analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-depressants, anti-viral agents, anti-tumor agents, enzyme inhibitors, steroids, hormones, HIV protease inhibitors, and mixtures thereof.

An edible matrix composition having a chewable texture comprising:

• a matrix comprising at least one plasticizer and a free-flowing particulate mixture, said free-flowing mixture comprising at least one fat, at least one starch, and at least one sugar which have been mixed and heated without substantially gelatinizing said at least one starch;
• and
• at least one component encapsulated by the matrix and selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, phytochemicals, vitamins, folic acid, pantothenate, minerals, fatty acids, enzymes, amino acids, and mixtures thereof.

An edible matrix composition having a chewable texture comprising:

• a matrix comprising at least one plasticizer and a free-flowing particulate mixture, said free-flowing mixture comprising at least one fat, at least one starch, and at least one sugar which have been mixed and heated without substantially gelatinizing said at least one starch;
• and
• an omega-3 fatty acid encapsulated by the matrix.

An edible matrix composition that has a chewable texture, comprising:

• a matrix comprising at least one plasticizer, and a free-flowing particulate mixture which comprises at least one fat, at least one starch, and at least one sugar which have been mixed and heated, said at least one starch having a degree of gelatinization of less than about 30%;
• and
• lactobacillus encapsulated by the matrix.