Burcon NutraScience Corporation announces that its joint venture company, Merit Functional Foods Corporation, has developed an innovation utilizing its non-GMO Peazazz® pea protein as part of a 100% protein-based clean label solution to replace methylcellulose, a synthetic ingredient widely used in food and meat alternative applications.
“We’ve heard from our customers the challenges of removing methylcellulose and now Merit is able to provide them an opportunity to finally eliminate it”
With consumers looking for advanced plant-based products that provide meat-like texture and cooking qualities, while not being highly processed, many food manufacturers in the plant-based industry are demanding methylcellulose-free solutions to achieve a cleaner label.
Clean label texturizing solution
Merit Functional Foods is looking to position Peazazz as a recognizable clean label ingredient for meat alternatives. According to the company, the pea protein solution offers water binding and emulsification properties, as well as strong gelling properties that allow formulators to maintain meat-like textures in plant-based sausages, hot dogs, burgers, and more.
“We are motivated by the potential this innovation has uncovered for formulators,” Merit’s Co-CEO Ryan Bracken said. “We’ve heard from our customers the challenges of removing methylcellulose and now Merit is able to provide them an opportunity to finally eliminate it from their products with our functional pea protein – Peazazz. And beyond this, there’s an added benefit of enhanced protein claims and a delicious sensory profile that’s on par with traditional products.”
Merit is currently working on collaborations with brands looking to develop the next level of clean label plant-based meat applications.
