Probiotic tonic brand The Spare Food Co is repurposing whey from the Greek-style yoghurt manufacturing process to create its beverages.
The brand’s effervescent tonic drink is made using whey that would otherwise have been thrown away and only three other ingredients – fruit, spice and honey, which acts as a fermentation catalyst. The drink contains protein and is a good source of other minerals and vitamins, including calcium, magnesium and vitamin B-12.
For every single cup of yoghurt produced, one to two cups of whey is made. This naturally acidic byproduct must be neutralised before it’s discarded or otherwise cause significant environmental damage. The company estimates that in New York state alone (where 70% of yoghurt consumed in the US is produced), nearly 500,000 tonnes of whey are created annually.
By using whey that would otherwise have been discarded, Spare Food Co is capturing a nutritional, economic and environmental impact that would otherwise have been lost. The brand is also advocating for other companies to follow suit and combat food waste to create more sustainable food systems.
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