The newest offering from the purveyor of plant proteins is timely given the Clean Label Project’s recent Protein Powder Category Report, which included findings about contaminants in protein powders. The report specifically called out plant-based protein powders, which indicated three times more lead than whey-based protein.
CEO David Janow said that the company is waiting on official test results, but initial findings from pilot runs have indicated that about 25 to 30 grams of Axiom’s rice protein can be added into a product without causing any overage of Prop 65.
“As far as FDA guidelines, you can put up to like 250 or 300 grams of protein,” he said.
“Now, no one’s using that much. Cadmium is very similar. I think you can have up to 287 grams of protein. I don’t know anyone except for maybe a very elite bodybuilder might be taking that amount of protein. What we’re seeing is you will be able to use quite a bit more rice protein than you were in the past. And the B2B person, the business, they’ll be able to insert more protein without the lawyers on Prop 65 coming after them.”
With protein prices on the rise, Janow said Oryzatein 2.0 is a low-cost alternative to other plant proteins.
“Right now the cost is right in the bellwether or the bell curve as an average price compared to pea protein,” he said. “As far as whey protein, whey protein prices are off the chart. It’s only going to get worse. Oryzatein 2.0 falls right into that range where the current pea proteins are at, which offers another ability to the R&D person to make cost-effective measures.”
To hear more on the protein market and what new offerings Axiom Foods has in store, listen to the NutraCast.
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