The global food industry is going through a significant transformation led by consumers who are prioritising products and ingredients that are new, nutritious, locally sourced and ethically produced. According to the Farm Animal Investment Risk and Return Initiative Report the plant-based foods market maintained a strong growth through 2018 and into 2019, with market analysis stating that “the shift towards flexitarian, vegetarian and vegan lifestyles is undeniable.”
According to Kantar, 66 million British consumers ate 150 million vegan meals last year and one of the most notable consumer trends last year was the shift to a more plant-based diet. More and more consumers are proactively avoiding certain ingredients, driven by medical reasons, healthier lifestyle choices, ethical or environmental concerns. The conscious consumers are shifting from their established approach to shopping and are increasingly taking interest in how and where their food is being sourced and produced.
MozzaRisella, the first and only plant-based product line from germinated brown rice is now revolutionising the traditional approach to food and agriculture through innovative ways of using the sprouts of brown rice grown by organic farming. The products are free from lactose, gluten and soy, and also benefit from the health advantages of using purely sprouted brown rice to maximise nutrition. The products are suitable for everyone – celiac, lactose intolerant, allergic to certain ingredients or those simply wanting to improve their health and wellbeing.
Laboratory analysis of the brown sprout rice products shows that the amino acid composition and micronutrient contents are similar to that found in human breast milk, with 22 amino acids including gamma-oryzanol or gamma-aminobutyric, as well as minerals, vitamins and proteins.
Gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) is a neurotransmitter and cell activator, giving the green light to the cells to reproduce – when the seed germinates, the fibres triple, other elements quadruple and the gamma-aminobutyric multiplies tenfold. As a supplement, GABA is taken to relieve anxiety, reduce symptoms of PMS and treat ADHD, as well as support lean muscle growth, burn fat and stabilise blood pressure.
As the only brand of its kind currently available on the food market, the company is turning the sprout into a variety of products such as cheese, yoghurt and ice creams keeping the amino acids present in the sprouts in their products entirely. The company uses an all-natural process that maintains the nutritional profile of the ingredients and keeps the high amino acids content. The rice is grown in permaculture respecting and preserving the environment, and afterwards the brown rice is sprouted without any processing to keep all the natural nutrients. No ready-made flavouring is used – instead the brand is finding their own taste using natural spices and herbs, like oregano, turmeric, lemon peels, lemon juice, tomato skin or seaweed.
Whilst most cheese substitutes currently available on the market are made with starch, preservatives or colourings, the company is able to offer healthy products from organic farming with all ingredients allowed by the regulation for organic farming and allergen free.
