SAN DIEGO – Onego Bio and Zen Waffles have formed a commercial partnership to use Onego Bio’s Bioalbumen ingredient in Zen Waffles’ high protein waffles.
Zen Waffles, New York, produces high protein waffles available in classic, chocolate chip, blueberry, coconut and strawberry white chocolate varieties. Waffles are formulated with cottage cheese, eggs, egg whites, almond flour, monk fruit sweetener, casein protein, vanilla extract, potassium sorbate and baking powder.
Waffles contain 23 grams of protein in the classic, blueberry and coconut variety, and the chocolate chip flavor contains 28 grams of protein.
Onego Bio Bioalbumen is a non-animal egg protein produced using precision fermentation with filamentous fungi, Trichoderma reesei, the company said.
Bioalbumen functions similarly to traditional egg protein while offering food producers a non-animal alternative.
“At Zen Waffles, our goal is to make high-protein meals that are convenient and delicious,” said Eugene Komissarov, founder of Zen Waffles. “Bioalbumen offers an excellent source of protein, helping us to create products that consumers enjoy both nutrition and satisfaction.”
Onego Bio received a “no question” letter from the US Food and Drug Administration for its egg substitute, which the agency says is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by 2025.
“In a waffle, egg protein does a lot of work: providing structure for a light and fluffy interior and supporting browning for a crisp and golden exterior, all while delivering high-quality protein,” said Maija Itkonen, co-founder and CEO of Onego Bio. “Bioalbumen combines this multifunctionality, giving food manufacturers a new way to meet the growing need for protein.”