The Muscle Mag
In partnership with Dutch health product start-up CollaVegan and German manufacturer Alphacaps GmbH, the VeCollal portfolio expands to include a new product beyond powders, gels, and liquids.
The vegan segment of the protein bar market is experiencing rapid growth, projected to exceed $7 billion by 2030, according to Market Research Future’s Global Protein Bars Market Overview.
VeCollal founder and CEO Tony Van Campen stated, “This is the first time a clinically-validated vegan alternative to animal-derived collagen has been used in a functional bar,” speaking to NutraIngredients.
Collaboration with industry experts enabled the team to create a collagen fortified bar with effective doses of active ingredients, authorized health claims, and a pleasing taste and texture.
The product contains 5g of VeCollal, proven to reduce wrinkles by 32.9% in eight weeks, along with pea, sunflower, and rice protein, offering 14g of protein in a sub-200 calorie bar with a white chocolate and raspberry flavor.
“By leveraging plant-based ingredients and clinically-validated formulations, we are excited to provide a guilt-free indulgence that not only pleases taste buds but also enhances beauty from within,” Van Campen added.
Mimicking human collagen
Introduced in collaboration with AminoLabs in the first quarter of 2022 in powder form, VeCollal—short for Vegan Collagen Alternative—is available for use in capsules, liquids, functional food, powders, and face creams.
The launch addresses the growing consumer concern for the environmental impact of animal products.
Van Campen explained, “There’s currently no truly vegan or sustainable alternative for collagen on the market.” He emphasized the importance of mimicking the amino acid profile of human collagen as closely as possible.
To achieve this, Dr. Josué Vázquez, a biomaterials specialist, worked on defining and mimicking the amino acid profile of human collagen, incorporating ginseng, vitamin C, and asiaticoside to stimulate the body’s natural collagen production. This led to the development of the final product, VeCollal, by AminoLabs’s R&D team.
