Technical staffers in the food industry who are highly knowledgeable about the use of protein in formulated products anticipate strong growth in the use of a wide variety of protein types. This was the major finding of a survey of participants at a recent 2015 Protein Trends & Technologies Seminar staged by Global Food Forums, Inc.

High protein foods are one of the most sought after nutritional choices among American consumers to meet a variety of needs, including balancing diet, building muscle and weight loss. According to research from Mintel, introductions of foods and drinks making a high protein claim are almost three times higher in the U.S. than anywhere else in the world, accounting for 19% of global new product launches in 2012.

This makes the U.S. the biggest market by far for high protein products, as India and the U.K. follow with 9% and 7% respectively of new food and drink launches with high protein claims in 2012.

Respondents in the recent protein fortification study, referred to by Global Food Forms as being “Protein Knowledgeable” were selected based on their direct involvement with protein ingredients in R&D, product development and formulation to ensure a sophisticated analysis. Thus, the survey results are unique and insightful, but not comparable to other general surveys of this subject. Initial reactions to the survey findings from food industry marketing managers have been highly positive.

Those surveyed were asked “Do you see the use of the following protein types (i.e., concentrated protein powders and/or high protein content flours) in formulated products as decreasing, increasing or remaining the same in the USA in the next two years?” Some 30 different types of proteins were then listed. “Pea” protein ranked at the top with 88% of respondents saying it would have increased use. “Pulses (not pea)” followed with 74% of the technical respondents indicating increased use. “Algae” and “Hemp” each with 72% came in next and were followed by “Quinoa” and “Chia” each with 66%; “Insects” had 61% of respondents indicating increased use and “Brown Rice” 60%.

Some of the protein types identified are just now becoming commercially available to the food industry such as duckweed (Lemna minor, Wolffia), which suggests that food formulators are searching out new approaches to provide the desired protein content in their products. It also underscores the critical importance attributed to protein as an ingredient in contemporary food formulation.

Another question explored desirable attributes of protein ingredients. Technical staffers were asked “What are the most important characteristics of a protein ingredient in order to be considered for use?” and were permitted to check three of the eight listed features. Some 67% indicated “Functionality” was one of the most important characteristics followed by 49% saying so for “Price per pound” and 46% indicating nutrition as one of the most important characteristics.


It should be remembered that increased use of any particular protein is not correlated to the volume of that protein that will be used in food products. For example, while many more of the food scientist respondents felt insect protein would increase in use as compared to soy protein, soy has one of the largest market shares of commercially used proteins in the world while insect protein are not yet widely available on any type of scale.

This survey will be conducted again at the 2016 Protein Trends & Technologies Seminar, May 3 and 4 in the Chicago area.