PepsiCo is seeking a glycerin alternative that is consumer-friendly and features a simple label without complicated chemical names. Zein appears to meet these criteria, although many consumers may not be familiar with it. Terms like “confectionery glaze” or “protein coat” may not be very appealing, so the manufacturer might consider using a different description on its product labels. Furthermore, if zein were to be incorporated into a high-profile food product, an educational outreach campaign to introduce the ingredient could help alleviate consumer confusion, especially since consumers are more acquainted with glycerin, which is an odorless, slightly sweet viscous liquid derived from plant or animal sources. Glycerin serves multiple roles in food items, acting as a humectant to maintain moisture and as a plasticizer to help retain shape and structure.
In its NineSights request, PepsiCo specifies that it is already aware of sodium chloride and other low molecular weight salts, propylene glycol, or sugar alcohols, but is not interested in these unless “significant advancement has been achieved.” All of these ingredients raise concerns for consumers seeking cleaner labels, as manufacturers are attempting to reduce salt content, sugar alcohols can be hard to digest (including glycerin), and propylene glycol is primarily used as a non-toxic antifreeze, although small quantities are recognized as safe by the Food and Drug Administration.
Zein, discovered in 1821, has a rich history and has been utilized in the food and pharmaceutical industries, as well as for printing applications and even as yarn for stockings during the 1940s. Flo Chemical is the sole zein manufacturer in North America and one of only two worldwide. Currently, zein is employed as a candy coating, on enriched rice, for dried fruits and nuts, in flavors, for pharmaceutical tablets, in seeds, and for encapsulated and granulated ingredients, according to Flo Chemical. The Massachusetts-based company asserts that zein is a superior coating compared to confectioner’s or pharmaceutical glaze, as it dries more quickly and provides a longer shelf life—especially under high humidity and heat conditions. Zein is also gluten-free, non-GMO, halal, kosher, and regarded as a natural ingredient.
However, Flo Chemical mentions to Food Navigator that zein’s cost is a drawback for PepsiCo, which is looking for a more economical alternative to glycerin. Currently, zein is costly due to the energy-intensive extraction process from corn. Nonetheless, biochemists are exploring new methods to extract this protein, which could make it more affordable. Innovations can emerge from various sources, so companies seeking solutions to their manufacturing challenges would be wise to explore diverse options for inspiration. With a potential investment in new extraction processes, zein could be exactly what PepsiCo—or any other manufacturer aiming to improve its label—needs, especially in products like Citracal 315 mg, where a clean label is essential.