JUST Egg is a plant-based egg alternative made from mung bean protein. It can be used in all the same ways as traditional eggs, making it a great option for those who are looking for an egg replacement in their diet.
But is JUST Egg completely vegan?
JUST Egg is made exclusively from plant-based ingredients but it is not certified vegan by any external organization.
This is because the primary ingredient in JUST Egg, mung bean protein, was tested on animals during the development process. JUST Egg has reported that no animals were killed during the required experiment.
While it is true that JUST Egg had to conduct animal testing to create its product, this should not make the product not suitable for vegans.
Animal testing is a requirement of the FDA for a product to be approved for sale. This should not hurt companies that are working on innovative products with the potential to facilitate the transition from animal products to plant-based alternatives.
This was JUST Egg’s statement to a customer’s inquiry via email:
“Thanks for reaching out! While our products are made with plant-based ingredients and suitable for a plant-based diet, they are not certified vegan. Our mission is to bring better-for-you, more sustainable foods to as many people as possible. We feel that by not labeling the product as “vegan,” we have a better chance of accomplishing our goal.
Additionally, we’re including some information below about the test we conducted for our mung bean protein.
Mung bean, the primary ingredient in our JUST Egg, has been in the food system and digested safely by human beings and other species for thousands of years. After ensuring the non-toxic nature of this ingredient, rats were fed mung bean protein and their excrement was analyzed for undigested proteins. No rats were killed to assess digestibility. This test was important in our successful GRAS assessment to use mung bean protein in JUST Egg and other plant-based products.
For more info on mung bean protein and its potential uses, please take a look at this Food Dive article, Mung bean protein isolate developed by [JUST] gets GRAS status: http://ju.st/fdagras
We also encourage you to take a look at this blog post from the Good Food Institute which digs into the FDA’s testing standards and goals for driving the food system forward: http://www.gfi.org/animal-testing-new-proteins-time-for-fda
Please let us know if you have any further questions or need anything else at all.”
In this article, we explore:
- What’s JUST Egg made from?
- How much JUST Egg is equivalent to one egg?
- Can you buy JUST Egg white?
- Can I bake with JUST Egg?
- Is JUST Egg processed?
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1. What’s JUST Egg made from?
Just Egg is made from a blend of mung bean protein isolate, expeller-pressed canola oil, corn starch, baking powder, and salt. Additionally, natural carrot and turmeric extractives are used for color. Finally, transglutaminase is added as a binding agent.
The mung bean protein isolate gives Just Egg its egg-like texture, while the canola oil and corn starch provide moisture and binding. The baking powder helps the egg rise and provides structure, while the salt adds flavor. The natural extracts provide color, and the transglutaminase helps bind the ingredients together.
Just Egg is cholesterol-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and non-GMO. It contains no artificial flavors or preservatives.
2. How much JUST Egg is equivalent to one egg?
One serving of JUST Egg is the equivalent of one egg. Alternatively, you can use this conversion chart:
1/4 cup JUST Egg = 1 egg
1/2 cup JUST Egg = 2 eggs
3/4 cup JUST Egg = 3 eggs
1 cup JUST Egg = 4 eggs
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3. Can you buy JUST Egg white?
At this time, JUST Egg does not have an egg whites replacement.
There are a few different ways that you can replace egg whites in vegan recipes.
One popular method is to use a chia egg. To make a chia egg, simply combine 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water and let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes.
Another option is to use a flax egg. To make a flax egg, combine 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water and let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes.
Finally, you can also use mashed bananas or applesauce as an egg replacer in some recipes. Start with 1/4 cup of mashed fruit for each egg that is called for in the recipe and adjust as needed.
4. Can I bake with JUST Egg?
Yes, you can bake with JUST Egg! In fact, baking is one of the best ways to use JUST Egg. It works just like traditional eggs in recipes, so you can make all your favorite baked goods using JUST Egg.
In fact, many people prefer to use JUST Egg when baking because it provides more consistent results and is less likely to overcook or burn. Additionally, the protein in JUST Egg helps to bind ingredients together and creates a delicious, fluffy texture in baked goods.
Whether you’re making a cake, cookies, or even quiche, JUST Egg is a delicious and easy way to make your recipes egg-free.
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5. Is JUST Egg processed?
The term “processed food” generally has a negative connotation, as it is often associated with unhealthy additives and preservatives. However, the definition of processed food can be quite broad, and not all processed foods are created equal.
Technically, any food that has been altered from its natural state can be considered “processed.” This means that everything from canning fruits and vegetables to grinding wheat into flour is technically considered processing.
However, when most people think of processed foods, they think of foods that have been highly processed and contain harmful chemicals and additives.
JUST Egg was careful with its ingredients so as to not contain any harmful chemicals or additives.
The complete list of ingredients is below, so you can decide for yourself if you consider it “processed” according to your standards. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide what level of processing they are comfortable with.
Water
Mung bean protein isolate
Expeller-pressed canola oil
Sugars (tapioca syrup solids, sugar)
Soy lecithin
Tetrasodium pyrophosphate
Salt
Gellan gum
Potassium Citrate
Carotene
Nisin
Transglutaminase
Maltodextrin
Natural flavors
Dehydrated onion
Turmeric