Through the partnership, Grupo Nutresa will focus on replacing egg whites as binding agents in its vegetarian products for Zenú and Pietran brand lines with EVERY’s EggWhite proteins, which are cage-free, cruelty-free and antibiotic-free.
The EVERY Co.’s nature-equivalent egg white proteins are developed via precision fermentation to “precision-target and make the egg’s highest-performing binding protein,” the company stated. The protein is also used for bakery, confectionery, binders in meat analogues and other prepared and fortified foods.
"Partnering with a global powerhouse like Nutresa is a pivotal move in our mission to transform the food system and demonstrates our commitment to equitable access to high-quality protein across all corners of the world. By harnessing Nutresa's extensive global reach, EVERY is poised to address the critical demand for egg protein replacements and provide high-performance food products to consumers. Simultaneously, we are actively building the foundation to serve companies striving to strengthen food chain stability – from replacing eggs to delivering delicious, nutritious new foods and beverages the world has never seen," Arturo Elizondo, CEO, EVERY, said.
Grupo Nutresa’s alternative meat products will leverage EVERY Eggwhite’s functional capabilities in achieving binding and gelation qualities without using overly processed binding agents to resemble its natural meat counterparts.
With over $3.5bn global sales across over 80 countries, Grupo Nutresa serves as Colombia’s largest CPG food company and one of Latin America’s largest processed food multinationals, the press release stated. The processed food company “is an integrated and diversified group of food companies” through eight business units in cold cuts, biscuits, chocolates, coffee, Tresmontes Lucchetti, retail, ice cream and pasta, among others, according to its website.
Solving "a key need for egg white replacement"
Avian flu coupled with labor shortages and supply chain challenges contributed to the price increase and subsequent egg shortage of conventional eggs, underscoring the opportunity for alternative egg proteins to provide a potentially more stable and consistent supply for CPG food manufacturers.
“In collaborating with Nutresa, EVERY is taking a massive step in the future of protein delivery. Working together with one of the world’s leaders in food and beverage shows that our products address key problems for the food industry. I couldn’t be more excited to work with Grupo Nutresa, and show that EVERY will be there to feed the future—without factory-farming animals,” Elizondo expressed.
“At Nutresa, we are thrilled to progress on our goals around creating the best possible products while advancing our needs for secure ingredients without compromise. We expect EVERY’s protein to solve a key need for egg white replacement in our alternative meat formulations, with additional benefits including bringing delicious, high-performing foods to consumers,” said Oscar Alberto Ochoa González, director, R&D for Nutresa’s meat division.
