What does collagen add to a protein bar?

What is collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in animals and a fibrous, structural protein; a 2009 review in the Annual Review of Biochemistry describes it as a bundle of three parallel helices built on a repeating sequence in which every third residue is glycine.

Why is collagen called an incomplete protein?

Protein quality is about amino acids, not just grams. FDA's nutrition labeling rule at 21 CFR 101.9(c)(7) uses the protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score to express protein quality, and it requires a food for adults and children 4 or more years of age whose protein quality score is less than 20 percent to state “not a significant source of protein” or to show a corrected protein amount instead.

Collagen's amino acid profile is limited. Peer-reviewed research that used gelatin as its low quality protein example describes it as tryptophan deficient and low in essential amino acids, and refers to whey as the high quality protein in the same comparison. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, which means the body cannot make it from other amino acids.

Does collagen count toward the protein number on the label?

Yes. FDA's rule describes the protein declaration as the number of grams of protein in a serving, which is the total from the food's protein-containing ingredients; it is not broken out by ingredient. Current Genesee bars list 21g protein per 60g bar, and the ingredient list names whey protein isolate, collagen, and peanut butter among the protein-containing ingredients.

The protein-quality test in the rule applies to the finished food rather than to a single ingredient, so this page uses it to explain the term incomplete protein, not to characterize any finished bar. Every Genesee flavor contains milk and peanuts, and White Chocolate Toffee also contains soy. Recipes and labels can change. Check the package you receive for the current ingredients, nutrition facts, allergens, and caffeine disclosure.

Where does collagen sit on a Genesee ingredient list?

Under 21 CFR 101.4, ingredients are listed by common or usual name in descending order of predominance by weight. On current Genesee labels, collagen is the fourth ingredient listed, after peanut butter, raw honey, and whey protein isolate. No per-ingredient protein contribution is published, so the list shows relative weight rather than a protein breakdown.