JAPAN/AUSTRALIA – Japanese food ingredients giant Amano Enzyme has released its latest animal-free enzyme solution for use in the plant protein industry.
The company says that the enzyme dubbed Umamizyme Pulse is designed to use in a wide variety of plant protein products to produce a savory, umami flavor, similar to monosodium glutamate (MSG).
Additionally, Amano notes the new ingredient also imparts kokumi “a sensation of richness and complexity” when used in foods.
“As consumer interest in plant-based proteins continues to grow, our customers are striving to develop more plant-based meat alternatives to meet that demand,” Keita Okuda, technical services team lead at Amano Enzyme explains.
“Umamizyme Pulse fits well into this development effort because it enables manufacturers to produce plant-based proteins with a ‘savory’ flavor similar to meat.
The technical services team lead further noted that Umamizyme Pulse being a non-GMO enzyme formulation can be used to help companies produce a cleaner label product that would be desired by consumers.
“It is comparable, or better than, traditional ingredients for producing a rich, savory flavor in proteins, and in providing customers with a vegan-friendly, clean label product,” Okuda added.
Amano Enzymes is also working on several new enzymes and enzyme blends that favorably impact plant-based protein texture, color, viscosity and stability.
“climate conscious” Pizza enters the Australian Market
Meanwhile, Germany-based food supplier Veganz has introduced its climate-conscious pizzas which “lay all the facts on the table” to the Australian market.
The brand styles itself as the first vegan frozen pizza with a sustainability score on pack, revealing the product’s CO2 emissions, water use, animal welfare and rainforest protection credentials.
Veganz expansion to Australia comes following an established presence in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
The launch in Australia was, however, long overdue as Australia has great potential for the plant-based brand, due to its plant-forward consumer trends.
According to the company, around 2 percent of the Australian population followed a vegan diet in 2019 and around 12 percent were vegetarian.
A Google Trends analysis by the Australian food blog Chef’s Pencil has also shown that Australia is the world’s second most popular country for vegans after the UK.
The company reports that its Veganz Pizza Verdura will be sold in 180 Woolworths stores, beginning in New South Wales and Victoria.
In addition to Woolworths, the Veganz pizzas will be available at the Vegan Grocery Store online and on its brick-and-mortar store in Sydney and Melbourne.
Liked this article? Subscribe to Food Business Africa News, our regular email newsletters with the latest news insights from Africa and the World’s food and agro industry. SUBSCRIBE HERE
