10 things you never knew about plant proteins

1. Food proteins are essential for the proper functioning of the body because of their nitrogen content, which helps form amino acids. These are the key structural components of all cells in the human body. These amino acid chains are especially important in the composition of muscles, blood, skin, nails, and even hair.

2. Humans acquire their proteins either directly from plants, or indirectly from animals (milk, eggs, meat). Proteins are one of the seven basic components of nutrition, along with carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, micro-nutrients, minerals, and water.

3. Plant proteins contribute to the preservation and stabilization, mouthfeel, and softness of finished products.

4. The plant protein market is expanding rapidly: 

• 10% growth in demand for wheat proteins in the food industry between 2014 and 2020. 
• The growth of the plant proteins market is estimated to be over 40% between now and 2030 (Harris Interactive study). 

5. A study by the American firm AT Kearney on the world meat market predicts that 60% of global meat consumption will be synthetic or vegetable by 2040. According to this firm, the reason would be consumer awareness.

6. Tereos, a producer of sugar and starch among other things, has been innovating in the field of health and nutrition for many years, particularly in the field of plant proteins—a major focus area of its strategy. In 2015, the Group’s entity Tereos Starch & Sweeteners Europe developed a food based on plant proteins: Sauté Végétal. This recipe was recognized at the World Innovation Competition in 2015 by the Directorate-General for Enterprise (DGE).

7. This wheat and chickpea protein-based food has now been extended to a range called Epi&Co: Bouchée Végétale, Sauté Végétal, Émincé Végétal, Médaillon Végétal, Aiguillette Végétale, and Escalope Végétale.

8. Epi&Co is a balanced range: It is distinguished by its low fat and salt content, is a certified “clean label” (limited number of ingredients), and is GMO-free.

9. Over 700,000 portions of “Sauté Végétal” have already been served since the launch of the project in 2017. Subsidiaries of the Sodexo Group, for example, have recently signed new contracts with Tereos: Lenôtre and Bateaux Parisiens. These new high-end customers use the product both as it is and make it their own. For example, at Lenôtre, the chefs make mini burgers with Sauté Végétal! 

10. The entire Epi&Co range is now available in an organic range.

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