As a PURIS R&D expert, I've seen firsthand how the snacking industry is evolving. Gone are the days when potato chips ruled supreme. Today's consumers, especially younger generations, are looking for more than just carbs and oil. They want snacks that are not only tasty but also nutritious and guilt-free.
protein FORTIFICATION is taking over the snack market
Let's face it: people eat snacks because they're delicious and satisfying. But now, there's a growing demand for options that offer more than just empty calories. That's where plant-based proteins, particularly pea protein, come into play.
Why pea protein? It's an exceptional fit for modern snack products. Unlike soy, which is a common allergen, pea protein is free from the top-9 allergens. This makes it an ideal choice for manufacturers looking to create allergen-friendly snacks — a category that saw an impressive 25% sales growth in 2022.
How Easy Is Pea Protein to Use?
I get it — many R&D teams are used to working with soy, so switching to pea protein can feel like a barrier. So, why make the switch?
The answer lies in the unique benefits pea protein offers. Unlike ingredients like soy, pea protein:
- Is free of the Top 9 Allergens. Many consumers also report easier digestibility with pea protein compared to soy, which can be a selling point for sensitive consumers.
- Offers clean label perception. Pea protein is often viewed as a more natural, less processed option. It's not associated with GMO concerns, which can be a significant marketing advantage.
- Is an emerging ingredient. As a newer player in the protein market, pea protein offers opportunities for product differentiation and innovation, potentially setting your products apart from competitors.
- Contains all essential amino acids. Pea protein is particularly high in lysine, which can be beneficial for certain product positioning, especially in sports nutrition.
- Offers cost and supply stability. PURIS pea protein production has the scale to match your production needs, giving you transparent sourcing and stable pricing that isn't impacted by market fluctuations.
Food Makers Are Trying Peas (With Great Success)
At PURIS, we've seen remarkable success stories from clients who've scaled up using our pea protein ingredients. While I can't name names, I can tell you about a small brand we thought might order a few bags – they're now scaling rapidly and becoming a major player in the healthy snack space.
Another popular snack brand recently returned to using PURIS pea protein after working with an overseas supplier due to the shift in product quality they experienced following the switch.
Snack Application Breakdown
One of the most exciting trends we're seeing is the integration of pea protein into a wide variety of snack formats. From crisps in protein bars and seasoning blends on corn tortilla chips to fruit leather recipes, pea protein is incredibly versatile.
And protein fortification doesn't stop with traditional snack products — we're also seeing innovative uses in toddler snacks, veggie puffs, and baked goods.
Are You a Snack Food Manufacturer?
At PURIS, we're excited to work with manufacturers both domestically and internationally to create the next generation of delicious, nutritious snacks powered by pea protein.
We're Here to Help With Formulation
We understand that every product is unique. That's why our R&D team is available to help snacks make the most of their new formulations (or find ways to seamlessly add pea protein to existing recipes).
Our work on your product starts in our pilot lab, working with ingredients less than 100lbs. From there, we collaborate with external labs to test at various production scales – benchtop, pilot, and full production. This proven method helps ensure that our pea protein performs consistently, whether you're making a small batch or scaling up to meet growing demand.
More Than a Sustainable, Healthy Snack Ingredient
It's important to remember that while sustainability is a crucial part of our story at PURIS, it's not always the primary selling point for consumers. In a convenience store, you have about 4 seconds to grab someone's attention.
That's why we focus on helping our partners create products with eye-catching claims like "5g of protein" or "2g carbs" – benefits that resonate immediately with health-conscious shoppers.
Here for snack makers, big and small
Regardless of how much you're hoping to scale your production in the future, we work with everyone from the biggest brands to the small start-up that is just getting their feet wet in the snack industry.
While integrating pea protein into snack formulations may require some initial adjustment, the benefits are clear. From improved nutritional profiles to allergen-friendly status and sustainability credentials, pea protein is positioned to play a major role in the future of snacking. And at PURIS, we're here to support you every step of the way – from initial concept to scaled production.
