In preparation for Global Food Forums, Inc.’s 2014 Protein Trends & Technologies Seminar (PTT Seminar), a survey was made of recently introduced or significant foods, beverages and nutritional products that promoted their protein content. Here is a partial list of innovative new protein products found at 2014 Natural Products Expo West as well as Whole Foods, Costco and other retail grocery chains.
– Claudia D. O’Donnell, Co-owner / Content Editor
NOTE: See the 2015 Protein Foods, Beverages & Nutritional Products gallery. Ingredient statements and nutritional information may be subject to change due to product reformulations and other factors.
Some of these products are among a selection provided as samples and morning snacks at 2014 PTT Seminar’s Pre-conference “Strategic Insights for Business Growth.” Additionally, some 150 registrants at the 2014 PTT Seminar overall are responsible for technical functions like R&D at consumer packaged foods companies and application scientists at ingredient vendors. Upon completing a short survey on expectations for various types of protein ingredient, R&D and other technical functions were eligible to win one of two containers with many of these protein touting foods, beverages and nutritional products.
Sonoma Creamery’s Mr. Cheese O’s
Ingredients (original variety): Pasteurized cultured milk, Salt, Enzymes, Organic Quinoa, Oat bran, Organic brown rice
Nutrition Facts: Two servings per pack (1/2 oz or 14g), Calories (75 per serving/150 pack), Protein (5g or 10% DV), Fiber (0%)
Global Food Forums, Inc.’s Comment: New introduction at 2014 Natural Products Expo West. Four varieties introduced; Original, Cheddar, Tuscan Herb and Sweet Chili. The product was quite tasty, similar to a lightly baked cheese on the edge of a pizza baking sheet. Children would likely appreciate it. There are some intuitive contradictions in its nutritional profile. Literature notes the presence of ancient grains such as quinoa, but original nutritional facts panel lists 0% fiber. Some PR information notes the presence of 10g protein, other lists 5g protein (10% DV).
Kind LLC’s Strong & Kind Honey Smoked BBQ Almond Protein Bar is part of a new line of sweet and savory flavored products.
Kind LLC’s Strong & Kind Honey Smoked BBQ Almond Protein Bar
Ingredients: Almonds, pumpkin seeds, honey, non GMO glucose, pea crisps (pea protein isolate, rice flour, rice starch), hemp seeds, tomato powder, sea salt, spices (cayenne chili, black pepper, clover, cinnamon), sunflower lecithin, garlic powder, distilled vinegar, molasses, natural smoke flavor, mustard see, citric acid.
Nutrition Facts: Serving Size 1 Bar (45g). Calories (230), Protein (10g or 20% DV).
Global Food Forums, Inc.’s Comments: This new line from Kind consists of sweet, savory flavors not typically found in snack bars. Other flavors include Honey Mustard, Roasted Jalapeño, Hickory Smoked and Thai Sweet Chili. It is new on the market as of spring 2014.
Turtle Mountain LLC’s So Delicious Almond + Plus (5X Protein) contains protein from almonds, peas and rice.
Turtle Mountain LLC’s So Delicious Almond + Plus (5X Protein of leading brands – Vanilla)
Ingredients: Almond Milk (Water, Almonds), Dried Cane Syrup, Pea Protein, Rice Protein, Calcium Phosphate, Magnesium Phosphate, Carrageenan, Vanilla Extract, Natural Flavor, Locust Bean Gum, Kosher Sea Salt, Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D-2, L-Selenomethionine (Selenium), Zinc Oxide, Folic Acid, Vitamin B-12.
Nutrition Facts: Serving Size 1 Container (8 fl oz), Calories (70), Protein (5g). Dietary fiber (0%).
Global Food Forums, Inc.’s Comments: Webpage at http://ow.ly/uCfgw. Found in Whole Foods among other stores. the protein is from almonds supplemented with pea and rice protein.
Power O’s cereals are made from pulses including navy beans, lentils and garbanzo beans.
Love Grown Foods LLC’s Power O’s (Strawberry)
Ingredients: Bean blend (navy, beans, lentils, garbanzo beans), brown rice flour, dried cane syrup, natural flavor, salt, color added (purple carrot), sunflower lecithin, mixed tocopherols (used to maintain freshness), citric acid.
Nutrition Facts: Serving Size 1 box (30g). Calories (100), Protein (3g), Fiber (2g or 8%DV)
Global Food Forums, Inc.’s Comment: “Cherrio™-like appearance” but made from pulses. Ingredient statement may not be final. It is new on the market as of spring 2014.
EPIC Beef Protein Snack Bar
Epics’s Beef (Habanero + Cherry) Health Bar
Ingredients: Organic Beef, Walnuts, Dried Cherries, Lactic Acid*, Salt, Celery Powder, Fine Black Pepper, Crushed Habenero. * Not from milk.
Nutrition Facts: Serving Size 1 bar (43g). Calories (190), Protein (13g), Fiber (2g or 8%DV).
Global Food Forums, Inc.’s Comments: Webpage at http://epicbar.com. Other varieties include Bison Bacon + Cranberry, Turkey Almond + Cranberry, Lamb Current + Mint. Sold at Whole Foods in display shelves alongside other health bars. Other claims: Soy free, Milk free, Gluten free, 13g Protein, 100% Grass Fed Beef Used.
Protein-containing ingredients in FlapJacked Protein Pancakes include buttermilk, whole oat flour, whey protein 
isolate and quinoa flour.
JaceyCakes LLC’s FlapJacked Protein Pancakes
Ingredients: Buttermilk, Whole Oat Flour, Whey Protein Isolate, Quinoa Flour, Coconut Flour, Peaches, Baking Soda, Baking Powder, Salt, Xanthan Gum.
Nutrition Facts: Serving size ½ cup (56g). Calories (200), Protein (15-17g [depending on variety), Dietary Fiber (6g or 24% DV)
Global Food Forums, Inc.’s Comments: The company’s co-founder said she wanted to provide protein foods for her five children and athletic husband, but didn’t want it to be another beverage or protein bar. She said they had reached some 1,300 stores distribution in their first year, including some of the REI stores.
With the claim that crickets have “twice the protein of beef,” a key marketing point of Chapul’s Chacoa Cricket Bar is that they are a sustainable source of food.
Chapul’s Cricket Bars
Ingredients: Organic Dates, Peanuts, Organic Raw Honey, Chapul Cricket Flour (Brown Cricket, Acheta Domestica), 100% Cocoa Powder, Oats, Flax Seed, Salt.
Nutrition Facts: Serving Size: 1 Bar (54g), Calories (220), Protein (8g), Dietary Fiber (3g or 16% DV)
Global Food Forums, Inc.’s Comments: Its booth was popular at 2014 NPEW as people could sample the product. The company website notes crickets contain “twice the protein of beef.” Key points include that humans evolved while eating insects and that crickets are a very sustainable source of food. For example, 100 gallons of water are claimed to be need to produce one of either 6g beef protein, 13g corn, 19g chicken, 63g soy or 71g cricket protein. Pat Crowly, Cahpul’s founder and CEO “launched its cricket-powered energy bars on the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform in July 2012, beating its fundraising goal by 60%.”
A number of Clif Bar’s product lines have varieties with front label protein claims or names.
Clif Bar & Company’s Protein Bars
Global Food Forums, Inc.’s Comments: A number of Clif Bar & Company’s product lines have varieties with front label protein claims or names. Typical products include its Clif Builder’s 20g Protein Bar, and protein-touting products in the Luna and Clif Mojo lines. Notable ones include the recently introduced CLIF Kid Zbar Protein, which is described as a “whole grain protein snack” and makes a foray into the children’s bar market and for the “more is more” consumer segment, Clif Builder’s Max with 30g of protein in several “sweet” flavors.
* Clif Builder’s 20g Protein Bar
Ingredients: Soy Protein Isolate, Beet Juice Concentrate, Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Dried Cane Syrup, Palm Kernel Oil, Organic Rolled Oats, Almond Butter, Organic Soy Flour, Almonds, Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Quinoa, Organic Vanilla, Organic Sunflower Oil, Inulin (Chicory Extract), Rice Starch, Organic Flaxseed, Organic Oat Fiber, Natural Flavors, Soy Lecithin, Salt. (Additionally lists 23 vitamins and minerals added.)
Nutrition Facts: Serving Size 1 bar (68g). Calories (270). Protein (20g or 40% DV), Fiber (3g or 12% DV)
** Clif Kid ZBar Protein
Ingredients: Crisp Blend (Organic Brown Rice Crisps [Organic Brown Rice Flour, Organic Dried Cane Syrup, Organic Malt Extract, Salt], Dairy Crisps [Whey Protein Concentrate, Rice Flour]), Organic Tapioca Syrup, Chocolate Flavored Coating (Organic Dried Cane Syrup, Organic Cocoa, Palm Kernel Oil, Organic Palm Kernel Solids, Organic Soy Lecithin, Organic Vanilla Extract), Organic Toasted Oats (Organic Rolled Oats, Organic Dried Cane Syrup, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin E [Antioxidant]), Organic Cane Syrup, Inulin (Chicory Extract), Organic Oat Flour, Whey Protein Isolate, Organic Oat Fiber, Vegetable Glycerin, Pea Protein, Organic Chocolate Chips (Organic Dried Cane Syrup, Organic Unsweetened Chocolate, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavors), Organic Sunflower Oil, Natural Flavors, Organic Cocoa, Sea Salt, Organic Alkalized Cocoa.
Nutrition Facts: Serving Size 1 bar (36g). Calories 914), Protein (5g or 10% DV), Fiber (3g or 12% DV).
*** Clif Builder’s Max 30g Protein Bar 
Ingredients (Caramel Peanut): TriBuild™ Protein Blend (Soy Protein Isolate, Soy Protein Rice Crisps [Soy Protein Isolate, Rice Starch], Whey Protein Isolate, Casein, Soy Protein Concentrate), Organic Cane Syrup, Caramel Topping (Organic Tapioca Syrup, Organic Dried Cane Syrup, Whey Protein Concentrate, Organic Palm Oil, Water, Milk Protein Concentrate, Organic Heavy Cream, Glycerin, Organic Vanilla Extract, Salt, Organic Soy Lecithin), Coating (Organic Dried Cane Syrup, Palm Kernel Oil, Cocoa, Soy Protein Isolate, Soy Lecithin, Vanilla Extract), Organic Peanuts, Organic Peanut Butter (Organic Peanuts, Salt), Natural Flavors, Inulin (Chicory Root Extract), Vegetable Glycerin, Sea Salt, Soy Lecithin.
Nutrition Facts: Serving Size 1 bar (97g), Calories (390), Protein (30g or 60% DV), Dietary Fiber (3g or 12% DV)
All Natural LLC’s ips Egg White Chips’ first two ingredients are yellow corn flour & egg whites.
All Natural LLC’s ips (Intelligent Protein Snacks) Egg White Ch(ips) Aged White Cheddar
Ingredients: Yellow corn flour, Egg whites, High oleic sunflower oil, Seasoning (CheddarCheese, [Cultured milk, Salt, Enzymes], Whey, Buttermilk Salt), Rice flour, Tapioca Flour.
Nutrition Facts: Servings per container: 1 (1 oz [28g/About 34 chips]). Calories (130). Protein (7g). Dietary fiber (less than 1g or 2% DV).
Global Food Forums, Inc.’s Comments: http://ipsallnatural.com/ Other varieties include Sea Salt and Black Pepper, Cinnamon Sugar and Barbeque. Ips rhymes with chips and stands for “intelligent protein snacks”. Front label claim is Pressure Puffed ™ – Never fried, which gives them crisp, light, airy texture similar to seedless popcorn. Store finder at: http://ipsallnatural.com/store-finder/
See an interview with Sean Olson, co-founder of All Natural LLC, posted July 23, 2014 on FoodNavigator, Egg White Chips Entrepreneur Rides Crest of Protein Wave.
Eden Creamery’s Halo Top Light Ice Cream contains 7g protein per serving.
Eden Creamery’s Halo Top Creamery All Natural. Light Ice Cream (Lemon Cake) w 7g Protein
Ingredients: Milk and cream, cultured nonfat milk*, eggs, whey, erythritol, organic cane sugar, chicory root, casein protein, sea salt, organic lemon peel, organic lemon oil, organic sunflower oil, organic carob gum, organic guar gum, organic stevia.
Nutrition Facts: Serving Size ½ cup (70g). Calories (70). Protein (7g). Dietary fiber (4g or 16& DV).
Global Food Forums, Inc.’s Comments: Store Locator: http://www.halotop.com/where-to-buy/ Contains 4g erythritol listed under carbohydrates.
Cow Candy™ Fruit Flavored Cheese Snacks with 5g protein.
Danyel Ann Foods, LLC’s Cow Candy™ (Fruit Flavored Cheese Snacks) – 5g Protein
Ingredients: We could not obtain the product nor is it on the website. However, ingredients are typical cheese ingredients with stevia (if we remember correctly) and flavoring.
Global Food Forums, Inc.’s Comments: On Danyel Ann Foods’ website (http://cowcandy.co/) , there is a submission form to contact the company. The company is in partnership with a “Wisconsin Cheese Making Company.” The website notes the line has Green Apple, Grape, Orange, Fruit Punch and Strawberry flavors. The products are also colored. The product, sampled at 2014 Natural Products Expo, were little cubes of cheese with a typical cheddar cheese like texture. It was slightly sweetened (stevia) and had a surprising “Dreamsicle-like” flavor (website also notes the taste similarity). Good sensory products. (We’d give it to our children!)
Van’s 10g protein waffles has protein from whole grains, Wheat Protein Isolate, vital wheat gluten
Van’s Natural Foods’ Power Grains with 10g Protein Waffles
Ingredients: (that we are proud of!) [As written on the label] Water, Enriched Flour (Unbleached Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Van’s Power Grains Mix (Whole Wheat Flour, Cracked Red Wheat, Steel Cut Oats, Millet and Brown Rice), Wheat Protein Isolate, Non-GMO Expeller Pressed Canola Oil, Cane Sugar, Baking Powder (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Baking Soda, Rice Flour, Monocalcium Phosphate), Vital Wheat Gluten, Natural Flavors, Cinnamon, Oat Fiber, Soy Lecithin.
Nutrition Facts: Serving size 2 waffles (85g): Calories (180), Protein (10g or 6% DV), Dietary fiber (2g or 6% DV).
Global Food Forums, Inc.’s Comments: Fairly recently added to Van’s line of waffles. Found in the freezer case in Whole Foods among other stores.
Neat™ Foods LLC-a Healthy Replacement for Meat (http://eatneat.com/)
Ingredients: (Original Mix): Pecans, Garbanzo Beans, Gluten Free Whole Grain Oats, Organic Whole Grain Gluten Free Cornmeal, Garlic, Onion, Sea Salt, Spices.
Nutrition: Serving Size 40g, Calories (190), Protein (4g), Dietary Fiber (4g or 16% DV)
Global Food Forums, Inc.’s Comments: Neat Foods [ground beef/chicken] meat replacement uses ingredients such as pecans, garbanzo beans and gluten free whole grain oats and cornmeal for 4g protein per serving.
BIOCHEM Sport offers a non-dairy supplement for its vegan customers.
BIOCHEM Sport’s 100% Vegan Protein Supplement
Ingredients: Blend of Pea Protein, Organic Hemp Seed Protein, Cranberry Protein (among other non-protein ingredients)
Supplement Facts: Serving Size 1 Package (27.0g or 40% DV)
Global Food Forums, Inc.’s Comments: The product notes that pea protein is rich in amino acids and branch chain amino acids (BCAA). A sales person said the company is primarily known for its dairy-based protein supplements but that it is providing this for the segment of consumers that are vegan.
Protein-enhanced dressings and dips forms an innovative category.
Tru Table Protein-enriched Dressings and Dips
Ingredients (Orange Blossom Honey & Balsamic): Apple Juice (water, apple juice concentrate, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), Whey Protein Isolate, Water, Balsamic Vinegar (naturally occurring sulfites), Orange Blossom Honey, Mirin (fructose, sake, yeast extract, caramel, lactic acid, succinic acid), White Balsamic, Rice Wine Vinegar (sugar, salt), Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Shallots, Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate, Garlic, Basil, Spices.
Nutrition Facts: Serving Size: 4 tablespoons, Calories (100), Protein (9g), Dietary Fiber (0g)
Global Food Forums, Inc.’s Comments: Protein-enhanced products expand into a less than traditional category. A comment from its website says “Expo West, our first trade show, was a resounding success! We got lots of great feedback and even got nominated for a Nexty award, an honor given to companies …’NEXT Forecast experts see as the key leaders and influencers shaping the future of the natural products landscape’.”
South Beach Diet’s Snack Smoothie has 6g of protein (from whey protein concentrate and milk protein isolate).
South Beach Diet Corp.’s South Beach Snack Smoothie
Ingredients (Strawberry Banana Flavored): Water, Protein Blend (Whey Protein Concentrate, Milk Protein Isolate), Evaporated Cane Syrup, Soluble Corn Fiber, Canola Oil, Natural Flavor, Pectin, Guar Gum, Malic Acid, Fructose, Rebaudioside A (Stevia), Monk Fruit Extract, Vegetable Powder (For Color)
Nutrition Facts: Servings (one container, 8 fl. oz.), Calories (100), Protein (6g), Dietary Fiber (6g), Claim: 45% less sugar than the bestselling weight loss shake.
Global Food Forums’ Comment: The serving size, 8 fl. oz. seems small in our “super sized” world, but it is appropriate, especially for those trying to manage their weight.
This product has be touted as the emerging trend to market protein-enhanced yogurt to men.
Powerful Men LLC’s Powerful Yogurt (with 25g protein)
Ingredients (Plain): Yogurt Cultured Pasteurized Nonfat Milk, 7 live and active cultures: S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. acidophilus, Bifidus, L. casei, L. lactis, L. rhamnosus
Nutrition Facts: Servings (one container, 227g). Calories (140), Protein (25g), Fiber (0g).
Global Food Forums, Inc.’s Comments: This product is an example of the emerging trend to market protein-enhanced yogurt to men. Yogurt has more traditionally consumed by women in North America. It has been dubbed a “brogurt” by New York magazine’s blog Grub Street. It is available in flavors such as Apple Cinnamon, Strawberry, Mango, Banana and Maple. A second line, Powerful Yogurt Plus+ includes Coconut + Quinoa, Lemon + Chia and Tropical Fruit + Oats varieties.
General Mill’s Nature Valley Protein Bars
Ingredients: Roasted peanuts, Soy protein isolate, Chicory root extract, Sugar, Vegetable oils (palm kernel, palm, anola, peanut), Whey protein concentrate, High maltose corn syrup, Cocoa, Fructose, Peanut Butter (peanuts, salt), Vegetable glycerin, Rice Starch, Honey, Rice maltodextrin, Salt, Soy lecithin, Natural flavor.
Nutrition Facts: Serving Size 1 bar (40g) Calories (190). Protein (10g or 18% DV), Dietary fiber (5g or 20% DV).
Global Food Forums, Inc.’s Comments: One of the top 10 most successful food and beverage introductions in 2012 according to IRI’s New Product Pacesetters. It generated $95.7 million in first year sales.
Maximum Potential LLC’s True Solution Nutrition Shake
Ingredients: Purified Water, Pea Protein Concentrate, Rice Maltodextrin, Cane Sugar, Sunflower Oil, Inulin Fiber, Natural Flavors, Sunflower Lecithin, Gellan Gum, Carrageenan, Stevia Leaf Extract VITAMINS & MINERALS: Dicalcium Phosphate, Magnesium Chloride, Dipotassium Phosphate, Choline Bitartrate, Magnesium Phosphate, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin E Acetate, Ferric Orthophosphate, Zinc Sulfate, D-Biotin, Vitamin A Palmitate, Niacinamide, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium d-Pantothenate, Vitamin K1, Vitamin D3, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Cupric Oxide, Thiamin Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Potassium Iodide, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin B12, Chromium Chloride, Folic Acid, Sodium Molybdate.
Nutrition Facts: Serving size (one servering per container) 11 fl oz (335g). Calories (270), Protein (17g), Dietary Fiber (5g or 20% DV)
Global Food Forums, Inc.’s Comments: Primarily of interest due to its use of pea protein concentrate. Its name is an example of what might be the growing use of the word “true” for “authentic, real, natural “products.
GFF-2014PTT!
