Spanish Startup MOA Q5 Replaces Eggs in Baking and Pasta Amid Shortages

A Spanish food tech startup has developed a new ingredient to help bakers and pasta makers reduce their reliance on eggs. MOA Foodtech's product, called MOA Q5, mimics the properties of eggs using fermentation. The launch comes as Europe faces rising egg prices and supply shortages due to bird flu outbreaks.

The ingredient was unveiled at the Food Ingredients Europe trade fair in Paris. It targets food manufacturers looking to reformulate products or reduce allergen risks in large-scale production.

Egg prices in Europe have surged in recent months. Data shows a 20% increase in October compared to last year, with costs nearly 50% higher than the 2020-24 average. The spike follows widespread culling of chickens after outbreaks of avian flu and Newcastle disease, disrupting supply chains.

MOA Foodtech's solution, MOA Q5, offers a one-ingredient alternative that replicates egg functions like emulsification, foaming, and coagulation. The company claims it works just as well in baked goods, pastries, and pasta. Early adopters include major firms like Glanbia Nutritionals and Aryzta, which began piloting the product in 2024.

The startup secured €14.8 million from the European Innovation Council in 2021, though most of the funding depends on matching private investment. MOA Foodtech expects to finalise its private funding round by the end of 2023, with over half the required amount already pledged.

The ingredient is aimed at food producers needing stable supply and cost control. It suits research labs, industrial bakeries, pasta makers, and companies producing allergen-reduced premixes. Initial partnerships were announced at food tech conferences, though full-scale commercial rollouts remain limited to a few key players.

MOA Q5 provides an alternative for manufacturers facing volatile egg markets. The fermentation-based ingredient is already in testing with major food producers. Its success could depend on wider adoption as egg supply challenges persist across Europe.