Pic’s Peanut Butter expands New Zealand peanut potential with nutritional analysis

09 Dec 2021 --- New Zealand-based Pic’s Peanut Butter and Plant & Food Research are partnering to analyze the nutritional value of New Zealand-grown peanuts. This analysis will help the companies understand nutrition and health claim regulations, as well as the wider regulatory, statutory labeling requirements for peanuts.

To support the analysis project, Pic’s has invested NZ$45,460 (US$30,949). The project received additional support from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund.

“The peanuts grown in the New Zealand trials are Hi Oleic varieties and will be analyzed against Hi Oleic peanuts from Australia, Brazil, Nicaragua and Argentina,” Stuart Macintosh, CEO at Pic’s, tells NutritionInsight.

Thus, the analysis was established to determine if the Hi Oleic peanuts grown in New Zealand are comparable and have any differential characteristics to those grown in other countries.

“Hi Oleic peanuts are one of the best sources of vegetarian protein and contain higher levels of healthy fats – monounsaturated fats – similar to those contained in avocados and olive oil.”

The composition will be assessed against Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) regulations related to nutrition, health and related claims.

Peanuts packed with nutrients
Shorter growing season cultivars are becoming available and there is potential to grow peanuts in previously inaccessible areas. Current trends are increasing consumption of peanuts and tree nuts as a valuable part of a healthy diet, adds Macintosh.The project will determine the types of health claims and nutrient labeling suitable for New Zealand-grown peanuts.

“According to our existing data held in the New Zealand Food Composition Database, a 30 g serving of raw peanuts is a source of a range of vitamins and minerals,” Carolyn Lister, principal scientist at Plant & Food Research, also tells NutritionInsight.

Macintosh continues to highlight the health benefits of peanuts, stating: “Peanuts can be incorporated in everyday diets as a source of protein and healthy fats similar to olive oil and avocados.”

“Current consumer trends are toward less red meat consumption and increasing interest in plant-based diets.”

Echoing the increase in plant-based diets, Innova Market Insights’ second Top Ten Trend for 2022 is “Plant-Based: The Canvas for Innovation.” The trend highlights consumers’ increased interest in “personal health and global sustainability.”

Previously a US study and a separate Australian study found that infants who consumed peanuts had a lower risk of developing peanut allergies.

Environmentally focused
Pic’s supports Māori economic growth and environmental sustainability through iwi and hapū relationships with the whenua (land).Peanuts are useful in crop rotation as they are a “leguminous restorative ground crop.”

A key project collaborator is Te Roroa. The peanuts that will be evaluated as part of this study will come from a trial site that Plant & Food Research has established on iwi land at Omamari in the Kai Iwi lakes district.

“Over recent years, we’ve seen an increasing interest in peanuts as a potential crop to trial as a way to diversify land use. There’s also interest from New Zealand food companies to be able to produce New Zealand-made foods using New Zealand-grown ingredients,” says Declan Graham, business manager at Plant & Food Research.

Macintosh adds that “peanuts are a leguminous restorative ground crop and therefore useful as part of a crop rotation.”

The project also aligns with Kaipara District Council’s goals – Kaipara KickStart – which aims to improve opportunities for Māori land, including increased kai business opportunities in horticulture and aquaculture.

It also boosts communities by realizing the potential of the natural, social, human and physical assets bringing growth and development to the Kaipara district of New Zealand.

By Nicole Kerr