A method for continuously encapsulating or embedding a component in a matrix comprising: a. admixing at least one plasticizable matrix material comprising a biopolymer with at least one plasticizer, and at least one component for controlling the rate of release of an encapsulant, said admixing being under low shear conditions to plasticize the plasticizable material without substantially destroying the at least one plasticizable material and without cooking or gelatinizing the at least one plasticizable material to obtain a substantially homogeneous plasticized mass, wherein said plasticizable matrix material comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of durum wheat, semolina, and pregelatinized starch, wherein when said plasticized matrix material comprises a flour from durum wheat or pregelatinized starch, the maximum processing temperature lies between 40°C and 100°C, and wherein said plasticized mass comprises at least 40% by weight of the at least one matrix material, based on the weight of the final product; b. admixing at least one encapsulant with said plasticized mass to obtain a formable mixture, said admixing being under low shear and low temperature conditions to avoid substantial thermal destruction of said at least one encapsulant, wherein said encapsulant is at least one pharmaceutical component, neutraceutical component, nutritional component, fragrance component, or biologically active component and is from 1% by weight to 85% by weight, based upon the weight of the at least one matrix material; c. extruding said formable mixture through a die to obtain an extrudate; and d. cutting the extrudate into pieces. a. admixing at least one plasticizable matrix material comprising a biopolymer with at least one plasticizer, and at least one component for controlling the rate of release of an encapsulant, said admixing being under low shear conditions to plasticize the plasticizable material without substantially destroying the at least one plasticizable material and without cooking or gelatinizing the at least one plasticizable material to obtain a substantially homogeneous plasticized mass, wherein said plasticizable matrix material comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of durum wheat, semolina, and pregelatinized starch, wherein when said plasticized matrix material comprises a flour from durum wheat or pregelatinized starch, the maximum processing temperature lies between 40°C and 100°C, and wherein said plasticized mass comprises at least 40% by weight of the at least one matrix material, based on the weight of the final product; b. admixing at least one encapsulant with said plasticized mass to obtain a formable mixture, said admixing being under low shear and low temperature conditions to avoid substantial thermal destruction of said at least one encapsulant, wherein said encapsulant is at least one pharmaceutical component, neutraceutical component, nutritional component, fragrance component, or biologically active component and is from 1% by weight to 85% by weight, based upon the weight of the at least one matrix material; c. extruding said formable mixture through a die to obtain an extrudate; and d. cutting the extrudate into pieces.