Plant-Based Solutions for
Today’s Formulation Challenges
Formulators are being asked to do more with fewer ingredients. As plant-forward products expand across bakery, snacks, extrusion, and gluten-free applications, ingredient choices must deliver consistent performance. At the same time, they must support evolving expectations around sourcing, labeling, and nutrition.
Clean-label considerations are playing a larger role in ingredient selection. Consumers increasingly expect simple, recognizable ingredients, placing pressure on manufacturers to streamline ingredient decks without compromising taste, structure, or texture. This has accelerated interest in specialty flours and minimally processed ingredients that support clean-label formulations while maintaining reliable performance.
Beyond formulation and labeling, nutrition improvement remains a key driver of product development. GPC’s chickpea and faba ingredients offer flexible approaches to nutrition-forward formulation—balancing performance, fiber contribution, and protein support depending on application needs. These plant-based ingredients support better-for-you product development, helping brands meet expectations for transparency, nutrition, and sustainability.
For fiber-focused applications, FYBRIN® delivers dietary fiber to support nutrition goals without altering formulation performance. Together, these pulse-based solutions help manufacturers advance better-for-you products while maintaining quality.
Common Formulation Challenges We Help Solve
Challenge 1: Achieving Protein Targets Without Compromising Flavor
Most plant proteins introduce beany, grassy, or bitter off-notes. Pea protein concentrate, in particular, can contribute strong flavor notes that can limit inclusion rates. By comparison, GPC's faba protein concentrate delivers a mild flavor profile, enabling higher protein inclusion while maintaining taste and texture.
Challenge 2: Finding Reliable, Transparent Supply
Sourcing plant-based ingredients from overseas suppliers can lead to inconsistent quality, long lead times, and communication gaps. GPC's chickpea and faba ingredients are sourced and produced in North America, delivering consistent quality and responsive customer service. This supports more predictable production planning and reduces the risk of supply chain disruptions.
Challenge 3: Improving Taste & Texture in Gluten-Free Formulations
Gluten-free formulations often struggle to deliver desirable texture and structure. GPC's chickpea flour and faba flour enhance binding, structure, and overall product integrity while contributing protein and fiber. This helps formulators create gluten-free products that meet consumer demand without sacrificing quality.
Challenge 4: Meeting Clean-Label and Ingredient-Simplification Goals
Consumers are increasingly drawn to products made with simple, recognizable ingredients, prompting brands to shorten ingredient lists. GPC's minimally processed pulse flours and proteins support clean label formulation without sacrificing functionality. This allows formulators to simplify labels, enabling transparency and appealing to customers.
Challenge 5: Delivering Non-GM Solutions Across Applications
As demand for Non-GM products grows, formulators must identify ingredients that meet consumer expectations. Many of GPC's plant-based ingredients - including chickpea flour, faba flour, and faba protein - are inherently Non-GM, offering a straightforward path to meeting customer demands and retail requirements.
Pulse-Based Milling Ingredients
for Better-For-You Innovation
Our PURE-PULSE™ line of pulse flours and our PURE-TEIN™ protein concentrate offer formulators tremendous opportunities to deliver clean-label, nutrient-dense foods. Backed by North American sourcing and consistent quality, GPC helps brands innovate with confidence while meeting consumer expectations for transparency and nutrition.
Chickpea Flour: A Versatile, Clean-Label Solution
Available in milled and steam formats, GPC PURE-PULSETM Chickpea Flours offer formulation flexibility with CP100-S Steamed Chickpea Flour providing a neutral flavor profile ideal for applications where taste, texture, and nutrition must work in harmony.
Nutritional Profile
- ~20% protein for enhanced nutrition and protein claims
- ~9% fiber, contributing to better-for-you positioning
- Naturally gluten free
- Suitable for allergen-friendly formulations
Functional Benefits
- Excellent binding properties that support structure in baked goods and gluten-free products
- Improves yield in ground meat applications
- Provides viscosity and solids as a clean label alternative in sauces and gravies
Applications
- Sweet baked goods
- Expanded snacks and cereals
- Breads, tortillas, and biscuits
- Soups, sauces, and gravies
Flavor Profile
- Ideal for sweet and savory profiles, including baked goods, snacks, sauces, dairy alternatives, and plant-based applications
- PURE-PULSETM CP100-S Steamed Chickpea Flour has a neutral flavor, which is beneficial in formulations where flavor is a priority
Faba Protein Concentrate: A Clean-Label Plant-Based Solution
GPC PURE-TEIN™ Faba Protein Concentrate delivers a high-protein, minimally processed alternative to pea and other plant proteins with a cleaner flavor profile and broad application versatility.
Differentiation from Isolates
- Minimally processed using physical methods without the use of chemicals
- No solvents or harsh processing, supporting clean label formulations
- Closer to whole-food than protein isolates that are produced with more aggressive separation methods
Protein Content & Quality
- 60–70% protein (dry basis), ideal for delivering meaningful protein claims
- ~15% dietary fiber, offering a protein-plus-fiber advantage not found in isolates
- Balanced amino acid profile that supports protein fortification targets
- Complements grains to improve protein quality in formulations
Competitive Positioning
- Milder flavor, avoiding the beany, grassy, or bitter notes commonly associated with pea protein concentrate
- Enables higher inclusion rates without sensory trade-offs
- Supports both savory and sweet applications
- Allergen-friendly alternative to other protein sources
Applications Where It Excels
- High-protein baked goods: bagels, breads, cookies, muffins, bars
- Extruded snacks: protein puffs, expanded snacks, shaped extrusions
- Plant-based meat analogs: contributes to structure, bite, and moisture management
- Dairy alternatives: supports protein fortification and mouthfeel
- Better-for-you products: aligns with protein + fiber targets and clean-label expectations
Additional Specialty Products
GPC offers a range of solutions designed to enhance nutrition, texture, and clean-label performance across food categories. These ingredients provide formulators with added flexibility when developing gluten-free, better-for-you, and plant-based products.
The GPC comprehensive ingredient portfolio includes:
- FYBRIN® RS Food Starch-Modified: Resistant starch for fiber enhancement
- MALTRIN® Carbohydrates: Functional carbohydrates and bulking agents
- PURE-DENT® B700 Food Corn Starch: Native starch solution for structure and viscosity
- PURE-PULSE™ MB 100-CP Egg Replacer Blend: Allergen-friendly option
- Specialty Food Starches: Thickening, binding, and texture solutions
FYBRIN® RS:
A Resistant Starch for
Fiber Enhancement
As consumer interest in high-fiber, better-for-you foods continues to rise, formulators are looking for ways to add fiber without sacrificing taste or texture. FYBRIN® RS is a RS4 resistant starch that delivers a minimum of 85% dietary fiber (dry basis), helping formulators achieve “good source” or “excellent source” fiber claims with minimal changes to processing or sensory performance.
How Resistant Starch Adds Meaningful Fiber to Formulations
Because resistant starch is not digested like other carbohydrates, it contributes fiber without increasing digestible carbohydrates. FYBRIN® RS integrates across bakery, snacks, and gluten-free applications, offering fiber enrichment with minimal sensory impact.
Simplifying Adoption of Resistant Starch
FYBRIN® RS provides predictable performance with low water holding capacity than bran-based fibers. Its ease of use makes resistant starch accessible for developers seeking to enhance nutrition without overhauling existing processes.
Gluten-Free Baking & Texture Advantages
In gluten-free bakery applications, FYBRIN® RS contributes to structure, crispness, and overall eating quality where gluten-free flours often fall short. It supports desirable texture while strengthening the nutrition of gluten-free products.
The GPC Difference: Service, Support & Partnership
Responsive, Customer-First Service
GPC has built its reputation on long-standing relationships and a commitment to putting customers’ needs first. Our teams prioritize clear communication and dependable support from project kickoff through ongoing production.
Ingredient & Manufacturing Expertise
With more than 80 years of experience in ingredient manufacturing and innovation, GPC brings proven technical knowledge to every customer experience. Our expertise helps customers enhance functionality and improve performance to achieve consistent product quality.
Collaborative, Long-Term Partnerships
We work side-by-side with customers to develop solutions tailored to real-world challenges. Whether you’re improving an existing product or exploring new applications, our collaborative approach supports long-term success.
Reliable, Domestic Supply
With North American manufacturing and secure, traceable ingredient streams, including decades of Non-GM experience, GPC provides reliable supply and consistent quality. Customers trust our dependable sourcing and long-standing commitment to product integrity.
Decades of Industry Experience
As a family-owned company with more than 80 years in operation, GPC combines heritage, innovation, and a deep understanding of ingredient performance. Our history of quality and customer focus continues to guide how we support partners today.
Industry Trends
Shaping the Future of
Better-For-You Foods
The food and nutrition landscape is undergoing rapid transformation as consumers seek products that feel cleaner, simpler, and nutritionally meaningful. The momentum behind clean label and transparency continues to accelerate, pushing brands toward ingredients that are recognizable, minimally processed, and aligned with evolving regulatory requirements and retail expectations.
Consumers are also embracing the broader plant-forward movement across snacks, bakery, beverages, and more — expanding opportunities for chickpea and faba as alternatives to traditional protein sources.
Ingredient simplification remains a defining trend as manufacturers aim to streamline labels while maintaining functionality through naturally nutrient-dense options. This shift reinforces the rise of better-for-you positioning, where shoppers look for products offering protein, fiber, and other nutritional attributes without sacrificing familiarity or taste.
Gluten-free growth remains strong, supported by both lifestyle interest and evolving dietary needs. As a result, specialty flours and resistant starches continue to play a growing role in formulation strategies.
Across the industry, conversations around GLP-1 usage and nutrition point to a broader consumer focus on maximized satiety, balanced macronutrients, and functional foods that complement weight management and support overall health. While the long-term impact is still emerging, manufacturers are monitoring how these shifts may influence future product development.
Together, these trends signal a market increasingly shaped by nutrition, simplicity, and transparency — areas where innovative ingredient partners like GPC help brands grow and stay ahead.
Let’s Build Your Next Formulation Together
Whether you're exploring a new concept or refining an existing product, our team is here to help you take the next step. We collaborate with formulators to understand project goals, identify ingredient options, and provide the technical information needed to move confidently from trial to production.
Discuss Your Challenge
Connect with our team to review your formulation goals, application needs, or performance targets.
Test & Evaluate
Request samples to assess ingredient fit, run trials, and validate performance in your formulations.
Scale with Confidence
Count on reliable, domestic supply and consistent ingredient quality as your production grows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a protein concentrate and an isolate?
Protein concentrates typically contain 50–80% protein, retaining more of the ingredient’s native starch, fiber, and micronutrients. Isolates undergo additional processing to reach 90%+ protein. GPC offers plant protein concentrates, which maintain mild flavor and balanced nutrition suitable for a wide range of applications.
How do your plant proteins compare to pea protein in flavor?
Compared to pea protein, our faba protein offers a milder flavor profile, while steamed chickpea ingredients deliver a neutral taste — making them ideal for snacks, baked goods, and nutrition-forward products.
Can you help with formulation support?
Yes. GPC provides application insights, starting formulas, and guidance to help formulators evaluate performance and optimize product concepts. Starting formulas and specific recommendations are available upon request.
What certifications do your milling products carry?
Certifications vary by ingredient and may include Non-GM and organic options. Information on certifications is available upon request.
Are your products suitable for small batch/startup customers?
Yes. GPC works with companies of all sizes—from emerging brands to high-volume manufacturers—and provides resources to support early-stage development.
What makes chickpea flour a good wheat flour alternative?
Chickpea flour delivers higher protein, more fiber, and strong binding and water-absorption characteristics — making it an excellent clean-label alternative for gluten-free baking and better-for-you products.
How does resistant starch add fiber to my product?
Resistant starch functions as a dietary fiber, supporting digestive health and helping reduce net carbohydrates.
What's your lead time for samples?
Sample lead times vary by ingredient and request details. Our team will confirm availability and timing once your inquiry is received.