FDBusiness.com

Kerry, the Taste & Nutrition company, has launched ProDiem™ Refresh, an allergen-free, soy-free, pea protein hydrolysate developed for low pH beverages such as waters, juices and energy drinks that delivers a clean and refreshing taste. ProDiem™ Refresh is the latest addition to Kerry’s specialised proteins portfolio.

Consumers are proactively increasing their intake of plant protein and its appeal has moved far beyond performance fitness enthusiasts, to a broader group of wellness consumers, who do not want the traditional heavy and creamy textured products, which are low in thirst quenching and refreshment benefits.  In fact, more than half of consumers today are protein users (Kerry Primary Research 2016, n=1800), due to drivers such as health and wellness.

After spotting this gap in the market, Kerry has launched ProDiem™ Refresh to meet the demand for protein innovation and address the evolving needs of this new protein consumer. High protein products are not only being used to support exercise and weight management, but also to promote healthy, active lifestyles.

Moreover as today’s main protein sources in protein waters, juices and energy drinks are derived from collagen, dairy and allergens, such as soy – ingredients that consumers are increasingly avoiding, ProDiem™ Refresh also addresses the needs of these consumers. Over half of protein users report dairy free as the most important nutritional factor when purchasing protein products (Kerry Primary Research 2017).

Kerry has drawn from its 40+ years of beverage expertise and scientific know-how to develop a new plant protein that delivers on both taste and functionality. Key challenges when formulating with proteins at low pH include achieving pH stability, solubility and clarity; maintaining a clean label; and avoiding poor flavour and astringent notes, ProDiem™ Refresh delivers all of this.  Furthermore, it does not require the use of stabilisers, which can negatively impact labelling and unlike other proteins at low pH, it has a clean taste and is light in texture.

Said Maurice O’Sullivan, R&A Director of Proteins, Kerry: “The plant protein market is growing rapidly and we are working hard to develop products such as ProDiem™ Refresh, to help our customers respond to the evolving needs of their consumers. People can now enjoy a refreshing protein beverage that’s good for them, tastes great and has simpler, easier to understand labelling. It’s another example of how Kerry is innovating in the protein space.”