New organic hemp protein powder from Nutiva

Nutiva, a Northern California manufacturer of hemp food products, has announced the availability of its latest innovation, Organic Hemp Protein Powder.

The new product is an organic food containing 37 per cent protein, 43 per cent fiber, 0 per cent net carbs, 9 per cent beneficial fats (omega-3,-6, and -9 plus GLA), chlorophyll, vitamin E and iron.

Nutiva says the new protein powder can be enjoyed with juice or fruit for power-packed smoothies or used as a low-carb flour substitute in baking.

"We're very excited about this new product, which has taken over a year to research and develop,"​ said Nutiva founder and president John W. Roulac. "Natural food buyers indicate that our Organic Hemp Protein Powder will revolutionize the industry's protein category. It's low-carb and superior protein profile, and the fact that it's hexane-free, makes it the Gold Standard of Plant Protein,"​ added Roulac.

Nutiva​ claims it is one of the only protein powders on the market to display the USDA organic symbol. Other qualities include Hemp's superior 66 per cent edistin and 33 per cent albumin protein structure, which is the highest in the plant kingdom and while Hemp can be eaten raw, soy protein requires high heating or fermentation to destroy various anti-nutritional qualities such as phytic acids.

Soy protein isolate is usually not considered as organic because it is often processed with hexane, a petroleum solvent similar to gasoline. Traditionally, natural food manufacturers have used only expeller pressed oils and fats that do not involve the use of hexane in the crushing process. Yet the resulting 'residual soy meal' is utilized in many soy powders, cereals, and bars sold in the natural food stores.

Besides being a potential health hazard in food, hexane is also a significant greenhouse gas. "Hexane is an industrial waste by-product of gasoline production and it's use in producing healthy foods seems very strange to me,"​ commented Roulac. He also pointed out that soy crops are heavily sprayed with herbicides, which can be applied ten or more times in a season.

Nutiva says these health concerns and hemp's many health benefits are leading increasing numbers of health-conscious shoppers to incorporate hemp foods into their diets.

However, despite the company's positive outlook for its products, Hemp products are currently at the center of much controversy in the US courts. In April the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) ruled that all cannabis-derived foods should be categorized in the same way as illegal drugs.

Nevertheless hemp foods continue to be legal to consume in America. And on October 9, 2001, Nutiva, along with the Hemp Industries Association, sued the United States DEA in the federal 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. The industry has now won three legal victories in a row, including a June 2003 verdict striking down the DEA's rules. A final decision is expected in 2004, according to Nutiva.