Background
PepsiCo are a global leader in convenient foods and beverages. PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.
Challenge
PepsiCo is looking into using natural preservatives instead of artificial ones. They are also exploring natural alternatives to common chemicals like EDTA and SHMP, which are often used to preserve food.
Must-Haves:
- Chelating agent with similar activity to EDTA and SHMP. Strong binding for divalent cations (Fe, Ca, Mg).
- Commercially available.
- Clean label, ideally botanical in nature and has potential to be labelled as an extract.
- Solubility in pH <4.0 at efficacious doses
- Non-GMO
- Allergen Free
- Food Grade
Nice-to-Haves:
- Powdered or granulated ingredient
- FDA GRAS, Self-GRAS, or in a CFR
- Studies to show effectiveness against microbial growth with sorbates and benzoates
- Low color impact in beverages
- Low flavor impact in beverages
- Kosher
Out of scope
- Synthetic preservatives
- Only approved for detergent, cosmetic, or non-food/beverage applications
What's in it for you?
Pepsi are planning to reach out to suppliers that currently sell EDTA and SHMP to PepsiCo for potential natural alternatives.
Pepsi's preferred collaboration type is the typical supplier relationship, and they are currently not looking to collaborate with a supplier to develop an ingredient.
However, if no natural chelating agents are found, this is something they would consider.