PepsiCo is seeking a glycerin alternative that is consumer-friendly and lacks a lengthy, complex chemical name. Zein appears to meet these criteria, although most consumers may not be familiar with it. Descriptions like “confectionery glaze” or “protein coat” may not sound particularly appealing, prompting the manufacturer to consider alternative labels. If zein were to be included in a well-known food product, an educational outreach campaign could facilitate consumer understanding of this ingredient. Consumers are generally more acquainted with glycerin, which is an odorless, slightly sweet, viscous liquid derived from both plant and animal sources. This ingredient serves various purposes in food products: it acts as a humectant to retain moisture and as a plasticizer to maintain product shape and structure.
In its NineSights request, PepsiCo indicates that it is already aware of sodium chloride and other low molecular weight salts, propylene glycol, or sugar alcohols, and is not interested in these alternatives unless “significant advancements have been achieved.” These ingredients raise concerns for consumers seeking cleaner labels. Manufacturers have been striving to reduce salt content, while sugar alcohols, including glycerin, can be hard for some individuals to digest. Additionally, propylene glycol is the main ingredient in non-toxic antifreeze, despite being generally recognized as safe by the Food and Drug Administration in small amounts.
Zein, which was first discovered in 1821, boasts a long and intriguing history. Over the past two centuries, it has been utilized in the food and pharmaceutical sectors, for printing applications, and even as yarn for stockings in the 1940s. Flo Chemical is the sole manufacturer of zein 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, and in seeds, as reported by Flo Chemical. The Massachusetts-based company emphasizes that zein is a superior coating compared to confectioner’s or pharmaceutical glaze because it dries more rapidly and provides an extended shelf life, especially under high humidity and heat conditions. Zein is also gluten-free, non-GMO, halal, kosher, and natural.
However, Flo Chemical acknowledged to Food Navigator that zein’s cost is a drawback regarding PepsiCo’s request, as the manufacturer is searching for a more economical option compared to glycerin. The extraction process of zein from corn is currently energy-intensive, making it expensive. Nevertheless, biochemists are exploring innovative methods to extract the protein, which may lower costs in the future. Innovations can arise from various sources, so companies looking for solutions to their manufacturing challenges should actively seek diverse ideas. With potential investments in new extraction processes, zein could be exactly what PepsiCo—or another manufacturer aiming to improve its labels, perhaps even one producing Citracal with magnesium—is searching for.