Self-Affirmed GRAS Plant Proteins

Austrade Inc. is proud to announce Self-Affirmed GRAS designation on six of our organic plant protein options. Specifically, the designation covers the following products:

What Is Self-Affirmed GRAS?

GRAS — Generally Recognized as Safe — is a food safety standard the Food and Drug Administration established. Specifically, a GRAS ingredient is any food additive that qualified experts generally recognize as adequately safe under the conditions of its intended use.

Austrade obtained the Self-Affirmed GRAS status through an assessment by a panel of qualified experts. The review covered three areas. First, the panel analyzed each product’s manufacturing process. Second, it examined each nutrition profile in detail. Third, it evaluated prior research studies and toxicological data.

The panel unanimously concluded that all listed ingredients meet current Good Manufacturing Practices. Moreover, each one satisfies all regulatory and safety requirements to carry the “Generally Recognized as Safe” designation.

What Are the Benefits of GRAS Ingredients?

GRAS ingredients help ensure the quality and integrity of the food supply. Any Self-Affirmed GRAS ingredient undergoes rigorous analysis by a panel of independent food safety experts. As a result, brands gain confidence in both regulatory compliance and ingredient quality. In addition, GRAS ingredients do not require pre-market review and approval by the FDA — streamlining the path to commercialization for brands.

Heliaflor® Organic Sunflower Protein

Heliaflor® Organic Sunflower Proteins offer a sustainable alternative to commonly known plant protein sources. Specifically, the abundant availability of organic sunflowers ensures consistent raw material supply without interruption. Furthermore, Heliaflor® undergoes manufacturing exclusively in Germany from European-sourced raw material via mechanical processing — a gentle method that preserves all naturally occurring nutrients in the plant.

Because of its great water and fat binding capabilities, Heliaflor® suits a wide variety of food applications. It comes in 45% or 55% protein content options, as well as a texturized format.

Organic Pumpkin Protein

Pumpkin Protein is another excellent option for clean label plant protein formulation. Processors derive it primarily from Styrian Pumpkin seeds. As a result, it delivers an excellent protein source, a good source of dietary fiber, and biologically valuable omega fatty acids.

The entire production process follows a sustainable model. Specifically, the pumpkin protein comes from the press cake left over from oil manufacturing. The remaining pulp and gourd then return to the soil as fertilizer for the next crop. Consequently, all residual by-products serve a purpose — and nothing goes to waste.

Austrade offers three versions of Pumpkin Protein: Organic Roasted, Organic Unroasted, and Non-GMO Roasted.

About Austrade Inc.

Austrade Inc. is a North American supplier of exclusively Non-GMO and Organic ingredients. Our specialties include natural sweeteners, emulsifiers, starches, plant proteins, and organic oils. For over 20 years, Austrade has led the industry in supplying wholesale Non-GMO sweeteners and sunflower lecithin to businesses in food processing, animal nutrition, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Today, we offer one of the largest assortments of plant proteins in North America.