Epi Ingredients enters the protein ingredient market

As consumer interest in protein continues to grow, their new expectations in terms of sustainability, transparency, animal welfare and the like, are transforming the market and urging food, beverage and nutrition manufacturers to continuously innovate. To support them, Epi Ingredients is now launching its first ever protein concentrate, EPIPROT 60 UL.

“As a major food producer, we have a responsibility to contribute to people’s quality of life through our products. This is why we are fully committed to assist our customers by supplying sustainable, high-quality ingredients designed to tackle their current challenges as well as to meet consumers ever evolving requirements,” said Epi Ingredients marketing manager Mathieu Lucot.

This innovative native ingredient fits into the company’s new protein range, EPIPROT, which also includes caseinates and acid caseins and will soon feature additional offerings of milk protein concentrates and isolates. EPIPROT 60 UL is a milk protein concentrate containing 60 per cent total native protein. It is produced directly from fresh milk using a unique ultra-low heat process which allows for minimal denaturation and optimal functional and nutritional properties. It also preserves the 80/20 casein/native whey protein ratio unadulterated.

Dairy proteins are considered high-quality proteins as they provide adequate amounts of all the essential amino acids as well as excellent digestibility and bioavailability, allowing the body to perform its countless functions flawlessly.

“Epi Ingredients takes it a step further with full control over the entire value chain from field to fork as well as the implementation of its very comprehensive CSR initiative, Passion du Lait, ultimately allowing us to offer the highest quality, most natural and safest ingredients possible,” said Lucot.

This commitment to quality and sustainability goes a long way in today’s landscape, especially as consumer demand for familiar ingredients and recognizable protein sources is rising, per Katy Askew, editor at FoodNavigator.com. The article also suggests that milk protein remains the most popular source of protein, according to a new consumer survey.

In this context, native protein EPIPROT 60 UL is the ideal solution for product developers seeking a highly functional quality protein source with outstanding nutritional properties. Not only does the ingredient offer superior gelling, emulsifying and water retention capabilities, but it also features the unique ability to provide enhanced creaminess and a rich mouthfeel in low-fat, high-protein applications. EPIPROT 60 UL also presents a superior nutritional profile high in native calcium and low-lactose.

This new ingredient is easy to use and can be incorporated into a wide range of applications such as cheese, yogurt, quark, beverages, nutritional products and more.

“At Epi Ingredients, we take our mission to drive innovation very seriously and the best way for us to feature what our ingredients can do is to develop finish product concepts with them,” Lucot said.

After the massive success of SoFlexi—the first concept of the SoUnik range last year—the company has decided to repeat the experience and will soon be launching a new concept using EPIPROT 60 UL. It will be available to sample at the company’s upcoming trade show appearances: Gulfoomd Manufacturing 2018 November 6-8 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and HIE (Health Ingredients Europe) 2018 November 27-29 in Frankfurt, Germany.

ABOUT EPI INGREDIENTS
Subsidiary of the French company Laïta, Epi Ingredients specializes in developing and marketing dry dairy ingredients for the food and nutrition industry and is fully committed to providing the best natural and nutritious value-added dairy products to meet the nutritional needs of targeted demographics. Along with a deep knowledge of dairy processing, combined with years of experience in health and nutrition markets, Epi Ingredients also offer individualized support to its customers, giving them access to a dedicated team of experts continuously working on developing solutions tailored to the specific needs and requests of each of them.

Mother company Laïta is one of the top 10 dairy cooperatives in Europe and oversees the entire milk collection process from local dairy farms, all located in Western France. No farm is more than 100 kilometres away from the plant that processes their milk, therefore ensuring the highest levels of traceability. Thanks to this tight control over the entire value chain, from field to fork, Epi Ingredients can provide its customers with the highest quality, most natural and safest ingredients possible. In turn, customers can offer a diversified, responsible and healthy nutrition that end-consumers can fully trust.

For more information, visit www.epi-ingredients.com and www.laita.com/en/.