Faba beans could become Canada’s new successful crop and protein powerhouse

Protein Industries Canada has announced a significant investment in a new project aimed at developing high-protein faba bean ingredients that would help to diversify Canada’s plant-based protein market. The initiative targets the burgeoning demand for nutritious, tasty, and sustainably produced plant-based foods in grocery stores across Canada.

The collaborative project involves key industry players, including Griffith Foods, BFY Proteins, Botaniline, and Faba Canada, who are combining their expertise to create functional, neutral-flavored fab protein ingredients tailored for consumer-packaged goods (CPGs). This initiative embraces a closed-loop value chain model, promising to deliver high-protein, reduced salt, and allergen-free products to meet consumer and industry needs.

This $7.7 million venture is set to transform the processing methods for faba bean proteins, enhancing their commercial viability. Faba Canada will be responsible for refining a high-protein faba ingredient through a dry processing method that increases protein content while minimizing undesirable flavors. Subsequently, Griffith Foods plans to integrate these faba ingredients into a range of value-added products, including meat alternatives and breadings.

The project’s final stage will see Botaniline and BFY Proteins testing the faba protein ingredients in new consumer-ready products aimed at delivering allergen-free and lower-sodium options, such as spreads and meat hybrids.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy by Protein Industries Canada to capitalize on the $25 billion opportunity in the nation’s ingredient manufacturing, food processing, and bio-product sectors.