Protein Industries Canada and food industry partners team up to improve vegan cheese

Protein Industries Canada has announced a new project involving several food industry partners, aiming to improve the taste, texture, price and nutrition of vegan cheese options.

The project partners – plant-based cheese brand Daiya, ingredients company Ingredion and its Ingredion Plant Based Specialties (IPBPS) division, and pulse crop specialist Lovingly Made Flour Mills – will combine their expertise to use Canadian pulses, such as pea and fava, in the development of new protein ingredients and plant-based cheeses.

At the end of the project, the partners’ innovations will help to increase the supply and diversity of sustainable food products while creating new jobs for Canadians, Protein Industries Canada said in a press release. By improving products’ taste, texture and nutrition while reducing their price, the partners aim to make these products more accessible and appealing to Canadian consumers.

Throughout the project, Ingredion and IPBPS will turn Canadian pulses into functional ingredients for use in Daiya’s plant-based cheeses. Lovingly Made Flour Mills will also develop extruded pulse ingredients for use in Daiya’s range. This will enable Daiya to include higher levels of protein in its products, helping to meet growing global demand for new and increased protein sources.

Jamie Siu, Daiya Foods’ director of advanced research and technology, said: “At Daiya, our goal has always been to create plant-based products that deliver the same taste and texture experience as traditional dairy. This collaboration allows us to improve the nutritional profile of our cheeses while ensuring they match the flavour and quality that consumers expect from dairy products.”

“By incorporating Canadian pulses and advancing our fermentation technology, we’re excited to bring even better-tasting, protein-rich options to the table that are accessible to all Canadian families.”

A combined total of CAD 16 million (approx. $11.6 million) has been invested into the project, with Protein Industries Canada committing CAD 5.8 million (approx. $4.2 million) and the partners together committing the remainder.