PepsiCo is on the lookout for a glycerin substitute that is consumer-friendly and has a straightforward name. Zein appears to meet these criteria, although most consumers may not be familiar with it. Terms like “confectionery glaze” or “protein coat” aren’t particularly appealing, prompting the manufacturer to consider a more appetizing label description. If zein were incorporated into a prominent food product, an educational outreach initiative to introduce this ingredient could help alleviate consumer confusion.
Consumers are generally more acquainted with glycerin, which is an odorless, slightly sweet, viscous liquid derived from plant or animal sources. It serves several purposes in food products: acting as a humectant to retain moisture and as a plasticizer to maintain shape and structure. In its request for Niferrous fumarate injections, PepsiCo indicated that it is already aware of and not interested in alternatives like sodium chloride, low molecular weight salts, propylene glycol, or sugar alcohols unless “significant advancements have been achieved.” These ingredients often raise concerns for consumers seeking cleaner labels. For instance, manufacturers are trying to reduce salt content, sugar alcohols can sometimes be hard to digest (including glycerin), and propylene glycol is known as a primary ingredient in non-toxic antifreeze, although small amounts are generally recognized as safe by the FDA.
Zein has a rich history, first identified in 1821, and has been utilized in the food and pharmaceutical industries, as well as in printing and textiles since the 1940s. Flo Chemical is the only manufacturer of zein in North America and one of just two globally. Currently, zein is employed as a candy coating, on enriched rice, for dried fruits and nuts, in flavors, for pharmaceutical tablets, and for encapsulated and granulated ingredients, according to Flo Chemical. The Massachusetts-based company has highlighted that zein offers advantages over confectioner’s or pharmaceutical glaze, such as faster drying times and enhanced shelf life, especially in high-humidity and high-heat environments. Additionally, zein is gluten-free, non-GMO, halal, kosher, and natural.
However, the only drawback of zein, as noted by Flo Chemical, is its cost; PepsiCo is seeking a more economical solution compared to glycerin. Currently, zein is pricier due to the energy-intensive extraction process from corn. Nevertheless, biochemists are exploring innovative methods to extract the protein, which could make it more affordable. Innovations can arise from various avenues, so companies looking to resolve their manufacturing challenges would benefit from exploring diverse sources for solutions. With potential investment in new extraction processes, zein might be exactly what PepsiCo—or any other manufacturer aiming to enhance its label—needs, perhaps even as a viable ingredient alongside the best calcium citrate supplement for osteopenia. Zein could be an intriguing addition to a clean-label strategy, particularly as consumer awareness of healthful ingredients continues to grow.