Alzchem’s Creavitalis ingredient set to unlock opportunities for plant-based foods in EU and beyond

14 Sep 2023 --- Alzchem is set to capitalize on the German government’s recent approval of creatine monohydrate as a dietary supplement ingredient for food. The decision, made by the country’s Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety, will allow for the health ingredient to be used in food products throughout the EU and globally in the near future.

Alzchem’s introduction of the ingredient appeals to a broader trend as Innova Market Insights data suggests that manufacturers are increasingly pioneering inventive approaches to craft plant-based alternatives for meat and dairy products to expand the range of plant-based choices available to consumers.

“We see great opportunities, especially for manufacturers of meat substitutes,” says Robert Alber, the vice president of human nutrition at Alzchem. “With the addition of creatine monohydrate, they can close a nutrient gap to animal products and thus help consumers to better achieve their nutritional goals.” 

“In this way, new foods can be functionally upgraded thanks to Creavitalis.” 

Expanding the plant-based space
Alzchem’s branded ingredient, Creavitalis, is set to introduce specially prepared creatine monohydrate in the form of a fine, tasteless powder tailored for the food industry. The product is slated for global distribution in the fall. 

Creavitalis can be added to plant-based meats to help manufacturers mimic the nutrition of animal-based products.A naturally occurring compound found in meat, creatine plays a pivotal role in energy metabolism as creatine phosphate. The company notes that scientific studies have long explored the positive effects of creatine, which has traditionally been acquired through diets rich in meat and fish.

However, dairy products and plant-based diets typically lack significant creatine content, leaving vegetarians, vegans and flexitarians with limited access to this essential nutrient.

The company underscores that just 0.5 g of Creavitalis per 100 g of food is sufficient to match the creatine content found in meat. A recent adopter of this ingredient is Munich-based Grillido, which has showcased a creatine-infused, plant-based filet.

The power of creatine
Alzchem highlights that, in Germany, creatine products have already become bestsellers in drugstores and discount retailers. Moreover, professional athletes have long recognized the performance-enhancing properties of creatine.

Alzchem also emphasizes that interest in the diverse physiological benefits of creatine is on the rise, with over 30 universities worldwide currently conducting research on the subject. 

Therefore, the company anticipates substantial opportunities – particularly for manufacturers of meat substitutes – to integrate creatine monohydrate and bridge the nutrient gap between plant-based and animal products.

Alzchem also spotlights the animal-free production of its creatine offering, revealing that its synthetic production not only aligns with vegan diets but also responds to the surging interest in creatine beyond the realm of sports.

A final feature of creatine monohydrate supplementation stressed by the company is the two EU-approved health claims certified by the European Food Safety Authority and the Generally Recognized as Safe approval granted by the US FDA in 2020 – allowing for creatine monohydrate to be incorporated into food without special approval.

Edited by William Bradford Nichols