Whey protein’s place in Top 10 food trends

Some of the food trends named in the top 10 list for 2022 — as compiled by Datassential, a supplier of trends, analysis and concept testing for the food industry — aren’t likely to become staples in food manufacturers’ formulations anytime soon. Black salt in your Bechamel? Asian rum in your Ravioli?

Maybe not. Truth is, there’s a problem with most “on-trend” ingredients. Many of them fall to the wayside as quickly as they rose to the top, and any products featuring them do, too.

What most food and beverage manufacturers really want are ingredients that have staying power and can be a part of their product line for years to come, not just a passing fad. That’s because research and development, marketing and other aspects of reformulating or launching a new product are expensive. Getting a return on investment can take years.

There’s something to be said about tried-and-true ingredients that have stood the test of time and continue to be workhorses in a variety of applications. That’s the case with functional whey protein. Innovative manufacturers and top chefs alike use it to both complement other flavors and stand on its own in everything from clean-label desserts, snacks and frozen entrees to sauces, dips, dressings and more.

Explore what sets functional whey protein apart, why it ranks highly among consumers and ways to incorporate this innovative ingredient into food products.