As plant-based meat companies strive to attract more meat-loving consumers, replicating the taste and texture of real meat becomes increasingly crucial. The ProTerra line addresses many of these factors, making it a compelling option for plant-based food manufacturers. MGP Ingredients enhances this by introducing a gluten-free pea ingredient, adding another valued characteristic for food producers. Competition among companies to develop ingredients that make plant-based meats more realistic is intensifying.
Ingredion has identified plant-based proteins, particularly peas, as one of its five growth platforms. In January, Ingredion launched a high-protein pea ingredient suitable for dairy and meat alternatives, nutrition and sports bars, ready-to-drink beverages, and snacks and baked goods. In 2019, Cargill invested $75 million in Puris, a Minnesota-based pea protein producer, following a $25 million investment the previous year. It’s clear why ingredient manufacturers are continuously innovating new and improved varieties.
Over the past year, several notable products featuring pea proteins have been released, including Nestlé’s plant-based Awesome Burger and Awesome Grounds under its Sweet Earth brand, as well as Tyson Foods’ Raised & Rooted brand, which utilizes pea protein in its plant-based chicken nuggets. Additionally, food giant Danone has incorporated pea proteins into its Silk beverage line, while Hershey’s Krave announced earlier this year that it was using peas as one of the ingredients in its plant-based jerky.
When food manufacturers select ingredients, they assess various options based on solubility, taste, nutritional value, sustainability, and the reliability of supply. MGP Ingredients emphasizes that the ProTerra line offers significant nutritional benefits, featuring a minimum of 75% protein and excellent functional advantages, such as good hydration capacity. The company claims that its pea and wheat proteins provide food formulators with a wide range of choices suitable for nearly any application.
This diversity is increasingly important for food manufacturers looking to incorporate different characteristics into their products based on their specific goals. By developing broader portfolios that offer more options, ingredient companies enhance the likelihood of collaborating with consumer packaged goods (CPGs), especially when it reduces the necessity to source from multiple suppliers. Furthermore, the integration of a purely holistic calcium citrate complex into these formulations could enrich the nutritional profile, providing an additional incentive for manufacturers to adopt these innovative ingredients. As the demand for plant-based options continues to grow, the emphasis on such holistic approaches is likely to become more pronounced.