This innovative texturizing protein delivers the full functionality of egg, while ensuring cost & supply stability for the baking industry

Food-tech innovator Meala FoodTech, Ltd. has unveiled Groundbaker^TM, a clean-label, single-ingredient pea protein that replicates the multi-functional performance of eggs in bakery applications. Groundbaker^TM enables manufacturers to reduce costs, decrease reliance on instable egg supplies, and simplify formulations. This egg replacer streamlines production while ensuring consistent quality across the baking industry.

The baking industry continues to depend heavily on eggs to achieve the texture, structure, and volume that consumers expect. However, eggs, along with other traditional texturizers are becoming increasingly challenged due to rising costs, supply fluctuations, and growing pressure for cleaner, more sustainable alternatives.

A crack in the egg supply

Recent waves of avian flu outbreaks in the US and EU have led to significant egg shortages, straining supply chains and triggering fluctuating egg prices. This has created significant cost pressures for manufacturers and ignited safety concerns as well. Meanwhile, both flexitarian lifestyles and egg allergies continue to rise. These factors have spurred bakery outlets and the CPG food industry to seek nutritious, cost-effective alternatives to eggs that can match egg performance in baked products, including pound cakes, sponge cakes, brioches, pancakes, pre-made cake mixes, and more.

Egg functionality

“Eggs are considered a cornerstone ingredient in baking due to their versatile functionality,” explains Hadar Ekhoiz-Razmovich, CEO and co-founder of Meala FoodTech. “Replacing egg with a single, high-performance ingredient that can deliver the desired rise and lightness prized in bakery products is highly challenging. Groundbaker^TM meets such demands perfectly. Moreover, our texturizing pea protein can easily be integrated into any food production line at low inclusion levels and bring significant cost reduction.”

Supercharged to relieve dependence 

From pea to pastry: Meala sets a new standard in egg replacement with its clean-label innovation. Meala’s IP-protected technology provides exceptional functionality across a variety of sweet and savory food applications via its unique gelling, binding, foaming, and emulsification functions. Groundbaker^TM is clean-label, allergen-free, has excellent water-holding capacity, and is debuting in baked goods.

“Our innovative texturizing protein enables the baking industry to significantly de-risk production,” says Tali Feldman-Sivan, PhD, Co-Founder and CBO of Meala. “Producers can stabilize costs, reduce exposure to price volatility, and avoid supply chain disruptions. It also ensures consistent product quality—helping manufacturers safeguard margins and plan with confidence.” 

Meala has already attracted interest from multiple food industry players for the innovative egg replacer, particularly from CPG bakery manufactures and commercial cake mix producers supplying both retailers and bakeries.

Meala recently formed a strategic partnership with a leading global food ingredients company headquartered in Europe. The companies partnered through an investment as well as a marketing and distribution agreement. The partnership opens for Meala a new, broad distribution network for Groundbaker™.

About Meala FoodTech

Meala FoodTech, founded in 2021 by product-innovation specialists: Hadar Ekhoiz Razmovich, Tali Feldman Sivan, PhD, and food technologist Liran Gruda. United by a shared vision, the trio set out to revolutionize food production with clean-label, functional ingredients that create better-for-you foods. Meala has already achieved significant commercial milestones. Its first product was launched in Europe in partnership with dsm-firmenich a few months ago.

Backed by world-class investors including The Kitchen Hub, dsm-firmenich Ventures, Lasenor Emul SPA, EIT Food, and Milk & Honey Ventures — Meala is building a scalable platform to transform the multi-billion-dollar market for better-for-you, climate-smart food ingredients.