Global consumers are increasingly seeking protein in their diets, leading to a surge in demand that the dairy industry is struggling to meet. Once primarily used by athletes and older adults in smoothies and shakes, whey protein concentrate – a byproduct of cheese-making – is now being incorporated into a vast array of everyday food items.
Food manufacturers are adding the ingredient to everything from breakfast cereals and Pop-Tarts to potato crisps, bagels, tortillas, and even Starbucks beverages, reflecting a widespread effort to appeal to ingredient-focused shoppers. This eagerness has, however, triggered shortages of food-grade whey protein and driven prices to unprecedented levels.
