Fi Europe 2025: Carbery on functional whey protein and GLP-1 nutrition
22 Dec 2025 | Carbery
Fiona Rawlinson, head of marketing for Nutrition at Carbery, discusses the standout benefits of Carbelac functional whey protein for reducing fat while maintaining creaminess and taste. She also explores its role in enhancing mouthfeel, offering cost-effective cream replacements, and its role in the growing GLP-1 nutrition trend.
Finns first Ultimate FR Europe 2025 in Paris.
We're here at the Carbury stag with Fiona Rawlinson, who is head of Mark's Symphony.
Tricia.
Welcome to you.
Hi Josh, thanks very much.
Thank you.
So my first question, why is your functional whey protein branded Carbalac, a stand up option for brands looking to cut fat without compromising creaminess or taste?
OK, so our carbla is our versatile whey protein concentrate, and it's designed to enhance functionality and stability in food processing, so it can withstand pasteurization and ultra heat treatment.
It gives a very consistent texture, taste, and mouth feel, and it also delivers a very clean label.
So the protein level is 35 to 45%.
It's very low in fat, and it's ideal, as a cream replacer.
So it has all of the nice consistency that cream would give you, but it's not as expensive, and it just delivers that full body textured flavor.
OK, and as you know, cost pressures are top of mind for your customers and the industry at large.
How does Carbonex's ability to replace cream offer a timely solution to producers facing tighter margins?
Yeah, so as I say, it's ideal as a cream replacer, and not just from a cost perspective, but also in terms of functionality.
So you get a very high.
Quality protein, in terms of, so you get the high quality protein, less fat.
So if you think of cream, you have about 5 g of protein, 35 g of fat, whereas it's the opposite in terms of carballa, and you get 35 35%.
35 g of protein and about 5 g of fat.
So that's significantly better proportions.
Also, it's ideal as an egg replacer, powders or liquid egg.
So at a time when eggs are very, the price of eggs are very volatile with bird flu, etc.
It's ideal for that too.
So we've also seen explosive interest in GLP-1 related nutrition.
How does your Opti Pep fit into this movement and what opportunities does it open for new beverage and wellness formats?
Yeah, so this is our application that we're showcasing today.
It's a GLP-1 companion drink.
So as you know, people on GLP-1 medications.
They, they're like, not just, they don't just lose fat, but also lean muscle mass.
So if you supplement your diet when you're on these medications with, whey protein, which is a complete protein, all of the essential amino acids and leucine, which is very good for preserving muscle mass.
So, also the GLP-1 can be a natural stimulator.
Of the GLP-1 hormone.
So if you choose not to go on the medications, you could also use whey protein as a natural alternative to the medications.
OK.
And you also launched a new paper called Nourishing the GLP-1 Revolution.
Why is whey protein poised to play such a pivotal role in the diets of GLP-1 uses going forward?
So you mentioned the need for greater protein intake.
Anything you'd add to that?
Yeah, so I guess the white paper that we have, it, it talks about weight and it's triple action in terms of being a nutritional ally for those on GLP-1.
So the first thing it does, it's a muscle guardian.
So as I mentioned earlier, it helps preserve lean muscle mass, which is a serious side effect for those on GLP-1.
And then, the second area is weight defenders.
So those that come off the GLP-1 medications, there is a risk of, the weight coming back on, whereas if you Start taking whey protein at that moment, it will increase satiety and also there's a natural promotion of GLP-1, which helps with glucose control and also gives.
I guess it, it, it promotes metabolic health at a time when you need it most.
And then finally it's a natural enhancer.
So as I mentioned, it is a natural alternative instead of taking the medications at all.
Thanks for your time today, Fiona.
I appreciate it.
Thanks very much.
