Meala FoodTech has introduced Groundbaker, a clean-label, single-ingredient pea protein designed to replicate the multi-functional performance of eggs in bakery applications. Groundbaker enables manufacturers to reduce costs, mitigate supply risks, and simplify formulations while maintaining consistent product quality.

Eggs remain a cornerstone of bakery production, providing essential texture, structure, and volume. However, rising costs, supply instability, and growing demand for cleaner, more sustainable ingredients are challenging their continued use.

Recent avian flu outbreaks in the U.S. and EU have led to significant egg shortages, straining supply chains and driving price volatility. These disruptions, combined with the rise of flexitarian diets and egg allergies, are prompting bakery and CPG manufacturers to seek cost-effective, high-performance alternatives for products such as pound cakes, sponge cakes, brioches, pancakes, and pre-made cake mixes.

“Eggs are considered a cornerstone ingredient in baking due to their versatile functionality,” says 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 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.”

Meala’s proprietary technology delivers gelling, binding, foaming, and emulsification functions across a range of sweet and savory applications. Groundbaker is 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, Ph.D., 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, particularly CPG bakery manufacturers and commercial cake mix producers serving both retailers and bakeries.

The company recently formed a strategic partnership with a leading global food ingredients company headquartered in Europe. The agreement includes investment, marketing, and distribution, opening a broad new network for Groundbaker.