The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that World Food Processing’s ingredient PurisPea has received GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) certification. Will its use in food and beverages grow as a result?
In the past few years alone, pea protein has been widely used in food and beverages. At the same time, more protein-loving Americans tend to opt for a plant-based diet. It doesn’t seem like it’s going to die down among health and fitness enthusiasts as quickly as the protein craze.、
Riding the momentum, Iowa-based ingredient manufacturer World Food Processing recently received a letter from the FDA with no objection to its PurisPea ingredient, boosting the product’s safety cred. Grown locally in Oskaloosa, Iowa, USA, this pea is organic and non-GMO.
Tyler Lorenzen, president of World Food Processing’s Protein and Ingredients subsidiary, said: “GRAS certification adds confidence and an edge to food and beverage manufacturers looking to create mass-market appeal.
Pea protein may be the new whey protein
A study published last year in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that pea protein may have the same effect as whey protein to increase muscle thickness in the biceps.
“It is absorbed at a comfortable rate and provides satiety,” Lorenzen told reporters. “Pea protein contains all essential amino acids and has a protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score of 0.82.”
Lorenzen also claims that the ingredient’s branched-chain amino acid count is comparable or better than whey protein.
In an interview with Supply Side West last fall, Lorenzen thought pea protein could be the new whey protein. “People need protein, and they need different delivery methods, but also different combinations,” he said. “In terms of amino acid content, clean label, sustainability, and cost of goods, we think PurisPea is a great sports nutrition ingredient. .”
Application of Pea Protein in Food and Beverage
In addition to bars, shakes and other forms popular in the sports and fitness industry, World Food Processing says that PurisPea is also used as a protein source in foods that cater to consumers’ active lifestyles, such as baked products, snacks, cereals and imitation dairy products. safe.
For example, Colorado-based baking premix company FlapJacked combines PurisPea pea protein with whey protein isolate for 20 grams of protein per serving.
“PurisPea takes all aspects of today’s food trends into consideration,” says Lorenzen. “It’s clean, non-GMO, free of eight common allergens, simply processed without harsh chemicals, and is The only non-GMO pea protein grown and produced in the U.S.”