Whey Protein Concentrate Commodity Fact Sheet
WBSCM Material Description and Number
Not yet available in WBSCM
General Information
Whey protein concentrate (WPC) is a family of dry dairy ingredients used to add concentrated whey protein to food products. WPC is produced by removing a certain percentage of non-protein constituents from pasteurized whey derived from cheese processing. The finished WPC products available for food aid are WPC34, which contains more than 34 percent whey protein, and WPC80, which contains more than 80 percent protein. WPC is processed by physical separation techniques such as precipitation, filtration or dialysis. WPC must be pasteurized and manufactured in the U.S. from cow’s milk that was produced in the U.S. For more information on nutrition, processing, packaging and shelf life, refer to the United States Dairy Export Council Reference Manual. It is recommended that WPC be stored in cool, dry environments with temperatures of less than 80 degrees Fahrenheit and relative humidity of less than 65 percent. WPC should be used within 9 to 12 months. It is typically packaged in air tight bags containing an inner film lining including pinch top, block bottom bags, or pinch top, pinch bottom, flat tube bags. For full product specifications refer to the USDA Commodity Requirements Document for dried dairy ingredients. The appropriate Web Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) code should be used to order WPC34 or WPC80.
Programming Guidance
WPC is a dairy ingredient that can be used to enrich the protein content and quality of processed food products including emergency food products A-20, A-28 and A-29, ready-to-use supplementary and therapeutic foods (RUSF, RUTF) and other nutritional supplements. It can be used for applications involving food product development to enhance protein content.
Nutrition/Preparation Information
WPC is a nutrient-dense, high-quality animal-based protein used for supplementation or fortification.WPC improves texture, enhances flavor and color, emulsifies and stabilizes dry mixes, extends shelf-life, and improves the quality of processed dairy and meats products, bakery products, snack foods, beverages, cereal products and is used in special sports and nutritional products. WPC34 and WPC80 are nutritionally similar in fat content, but differ in lactose and protein concentrations. WPC34 contains 34 to 36 percent protein and 48 to 52 percent lactose, while WPC80 contains 80 to 82 percent protein and 4 to 8 percent lactose. WPC34 provides similar concentration of lactose, protein and minerals as non-fat dry milk and can be used in comparable applications.
Nutritional Content
The table below includes values for WPC34 and WPC80 taken from the U.S. Dairy Export Council Reference Manual.
Nutrient WPC34 (100g) WPC80 (100g) Water (g) 3.93 4.11 Energy (kcal) 369.00 412.00 Protein (g) 34.36 80.00 Total Lipid (fat) (g) 3.93 6.60 Carbohydrate 50.80 5.31 Fiber, total dietary (g) 0.0 0.0 Sugars, total (g) 0.0 0.0 Minerals Calcium (mg) 569.00 423.00 Iron (total mg) 0.89 1.20 Magnesium (mg) 104.00 50.00 Phosphorous (mg) 547.00 0.00 Potassium (mg) 1680.00 517.00 Sodium (mg) 630.00 255.00 Zinc (mg) 0.21 n/a Iodine (mg) 0.0 0.0 Vitamins Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid (mg) 2.00 0.0 Thiamin (mg) 0.36 0.0 Riboflavin (mg) 1.80 0.0 Niacin (mg) 0.37 0.0 Vitamin B5 (mg) 0.0 0.0 Vitamin B6 (mg) 0.0 0.0 Folate, DFE (µg) 0.0 0.0 Vitamin B12 (µg) 0.0 0.0 Vitamin A (IU) 100.00 0.0 Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) (mg) 0.0 0.0 Vitamin D (D3) (µg) 0.0 0.0 Vitamin K (phylloquinone) (µg) 0.0 0.0 Lipids Fatty acids, total saturated (g) 0.0 0.0 Fatty acids, total monounsaturated (g) 0.0 0.0 Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated (g) 0.0 0.0 Cholesterol (mg) 97.00 n/a Other Caffeine 0.0 0.0
Shelf Life/Best if Used By Date (BUBD)
Shelf life - not available
BUBD - not available
Sources
United States Dairy Export Council. 2004. Reference Manual for U.S. Whey and Lactose Products. U.S. Dairy Export Council; Arlington, VA. Retrieved on May 31, 2016 from:
United States Dairy Export Council. 2011. Whey Products. WPC34. Retrieved on May 31, 2016 from:
United States Dairy Export Council. 2011. Whey Products. WPC80. Retrieved on May 31, 2016 from:
United States Department of Agriculture, Farm Services Agency. 2013. Dried Dairy Ingredients for Use in International Food Assistance Programs.Retrieved on May 31, 2016 from:
How Many Calories are in a Protein Shake?
How many calories are in a protein shake? A regular serving of protein powder is 30 grams. One scoop (one serving) of protein powder contains 121 calories in energy.
If your goal is to lose weight, you should aim for protein shakes with calories under 200 grams per serving.
How many calories are in a protein shake depends on the ingredients contained within the powder. If you’re monitoring your calorie intake, it’s important to understand the recommended calorie intake for your fitness goal, whether it be to lose weight or gain muscle mass. The average woman needs about 2,000 calories a day, varying for weight, age, metabolism and physical activity.
If you are mixing your protein powder with milk, you should also be aware of the calories in different types of milk. 1 cup (244 g) of whole milk contains 148 calories, 2% milk contains 124 calories,1% milk has 42 calories and non-fat milk has 83 calories. If you’re trying to lower your calorie intake, you might want to use water as an alternative to milk, so that the calorie count only comes from the protein powder.
Regular exercise and weight training require a higher calorie intake, which you can get from other sources in addition to your protein shake.
Having protein before a workout can help produce more energy for a more effective training session with high levels of branched chain amino acids to help maintain muscle glycogen stores. While, having a protein shake after a workout can benefit muscle growth and recovery with muscles more likely to absorb protein.
So, how many calories are in a protein shake from happy way?: Happy Way’s De Ja Brew Coffee Protein Powder and Ice Ice Baby Protein Powder both contain 121 calories per 30 gram serving.
Happy Way produces whey protein, vegan protein, pea and hemp protein of the highest quality organic superfood supplements, bursting at the seams with natural antioxidants, minerals, phytonutrients and vitamins, free from all the yucky preservatives, artificial flavours and sweeteners.
Is Protein Powder Good for You? Here's What a Nutritionist Says
Protein powder isn't just for body builders. These days, you'll find a variety of protein powders at mainstream supermarkets, and they can be incorporated into a wide range of recipes far beyond your typical smoothie. As a sports and performance nutritionist, I'm frequently asked about protein powders, including if they're healthy, which type is best, and how to use them. Here are my thoughts on this popular category of products, including the pros, potential cons, and bottom-line tips.
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What exactly is protein powder?
There's no one standard formulation, but protein powders are generally made from one or more types of protein, isolated from a food and concentrated into a dried, finely powdered form. A protein powder can be made from either an animal source, including eggs and dairy-derived whey or casein protein, or a variety of plant sources. Plant-sourced protein can come from foods like split peas, soy, brown rice, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, and hemp.
The nutritional breakdown of protein powder
One serving of protein powder is about a quarter cup, which is typically a few scoops' worth of the scooper that's usually provided inside the package. That one serving can easily pack 20-25 grams of protein. Most of the powders are low in fat and carbs. To determine how a portion of powder fits into your daily protein needs, first assess your overall target for this key macronutrient.
The Recommended Dietary Allowance for protein for a healthy adult with a minimal physical activity level is currently 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram (or 2.2 pounds) of body weight per day. For a 150-pound adult, that's about 55 grams of protein per day. However, protein needs may increase based on your activity level and age. For example, 1.4 to 2 grams per 2.2 pounds of body weight may be needed for building muscle mass due to strength training, and 1 to 1.2 grams per 2.2 pounds of body weight is recommended for those over the age of 65.
If your daily protein requirement is, say, 60 grams per day, one serving of protein powder can meet a solid one-third of your everyday goal. That's pretty significant.
Another way to assess the nutritional value of protein powder is to compare the amount of protein it provides to that of other protein-rich foods. One serving of most protein powders contains about the same amount of protein as a 3-ounce skinless chicken breast and a few grams more than a cup of cooked lentils.
With this in mind, the two best ways to use a protein powder are as an alternative to other protein-containing foods and as a way to boost the protein content of a dish that's typically low in protein. For example, a smoothie made with veggies and fruit lacks protein; and even a few tablespoons of almond butter only add about 6 grams. Blending in a powder can easily up the protein content to a more significant percentage of your daily needs, which transforms the drink into a meal replacement.
One possible concern about protein powder
A couple tests over the years analyzed whether contaminants, such as heavy metals, are found in protein powder. One such test was conducted by the Clean Label Project in 2018. Of the more than 130 protein powders tested, the group found that 75% of the examined products contained measurable levels of lead. This and other study findings appeared concerning, so a 2020 study published in Toxicology Reports looked into the potential health effects that may be tied to consuming protein powders. The researchers found that up to three daily servings of protein powder was not associated with an increased risk of non-cancerous health effects due to heavy metal exposure.
However, if you are still concerned about heavy metal exposure, you can certainly opt not to use protein powder at all. Or, choose one that is third-party tested for heavy metals, such as Naked Nutrition. You could also reach out to any brand to ask about testing or request a particular product's analysis, if you want more information.
What to look for when shopping for protein powder
I generally recommend opting for plain, unflavored, unsweetened protein powders. These products allow you to add your own sweetener, if needed, and flavor the powder yourself with all-natural seasonings. Plain powders are also more versatile because they can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. Plus, they're typically free from unwanted additives, like artificial flavors and sweeteners.
Check ingredients lists, and look for brands where the only ingredient is the protein itself, such as "pea protein isolate" or "sprouted brown rice protein." That said, some plain powders do add probiotic and/or enzyme blends. While not necessary, these additions may be beneficial, particularly if you don't consume them from other sources.
If you avoid dairy or are trying to consume a more plant-based diet, plant protein powders are a great option. Recent research from JAMA Internal Medicine found that a higher intake of plant protein, as compared to animal protein, is linked to a lower risk of death from all causes, particularly heart disease, the number one killer of both men and women in the US.
And in case you're wondering, plant powders are just as effective at building muscle. A 2019 study published in the journal Sports found that pea protein produced results on par with whey protein for muscle strength, performance, body composition, and muscular adaptations following eight weeks of high-intensity training.
How to use protein powder
Protein powder is more versatile than you might think. It blends well into smoothies, but you can also add it to oatmeal or overnight oats, pancakes, breakfast cookies, and energy balls and bars. A protein powder can also be blended into soups (I add it to vegan butternut squash soup), hummus, plant burger patties, and pizza crust.
If your meal is a bit light on protein and you want to pump up the protein content of your dessert, you can incorporate protein powder into chia pudding, homemade ice cream or frozen pops, brownies, and DIY peanut butter cups.
So is protein powder healthy?
The goal isn't to add protein to everything you eat. Rather, it's to meet (and not exceed) your daily protein needs. As for whether protein powders are a healthy way to do that, a simple-ingredient, plant-based option certainly can be—especially if it's been tested for contaminants.
Of course, whole, naturally nutrient-rich foods should always be the default. In these unprocessed foods, protein is bundled with fiber and a wide range of other nutrients and bioactive compounds. But in combination with other whole foods, a protein powder can offer a simple and convenient way to help you meet your daily protein target. These products may also help you cut back on meat and dairy and enjoy more nicely balanced plant-based meals.
Here are my five favorite protein powders:
Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD, is Health's contributing nutrition editor, a New York Times best-selling author, and a private practice performance nutritionist who has consulted for five professional sports teams.
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