The global protein trend is massive.
In fact, according to Euromonitor International, few ingredients in recent memory have experienced protein’s sustained and meteoric rise.
Fellow market researchers Innova Market Insights also placed protein on a pedestal this year, identifying “Beyond the athlete” as one of the top ten trends.
As such, manufacturers are scrambling to keep ahead of this ever-growing demand from consumers for protein-enriched foods.
Supplying ideas to meet the demand
SternLife GmbH & Co. KG has developed a breakfast range specifically targeted towards private label. Food manufacturers, they claim, will benefit by giving the consumer a variety of protein-enriched products that offer convenience in use as well as a sense of fun to get involved.
It also extends the number of high-protein breakfast products on shelves, which up to now, said Marc van Essen, sales director of SternLife, “has been very limited”.
“These new breakfast products serve a sector for which demand is steadily growing,” he added.
The readymade product concepts include high-protein powder mixes for pancakes, porridge and rice pudding, as well as a protein bread mix.
The 60% protein content in the pancake mix comprises a blend of whey protein, lactoproteins and oats, and is slightly sweetened. Whey protein contains the branched chain amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine.
SternLife’s porridge contains 30% protein, and is made from gluten-free oat flakes, lactoprotein and apple powder seasoned with cinnamon.
Bre(a)d for all purposes
The bread mix consists of linseed flour, rice and pea protein, sunflower seeds and psyllium (a native of India and Pakistan that is high in fiber).
Formulated by its R&D team in the Stern Technology Centre in Ahrensburg, the mix’s nutrient profile has been designed to appeal to a wide target audience, including people who want to follow a low-carb regime, as well as vegans and those who are gluten-intolerant.
And, apart from the health claims, manufacturers can produce clean labels, as the mix only contains a short list of ingredients, says SternLife.
Van Essen said the ready-made product concepts can also be expanded to suit individual needs, noting they can be further fortified with superfoods such as moringa or acai.
He also suggested that, by taking the products out of the breakfast-only slot - noting that the milk pudding and pancake mixes can be turned into sweet treats and snacks – opens up new marketing options.