Armored Fresh has announced the launch of its new clean label protein brand, Piilk, making its debut in the US with a high-protein beverage line.

The drink is powered by naturally fermented, non-GMO yeast protein, formulated with just seven ingredients. Piilk contains no carrageenan, no emulsifiers, and no artificial sweeteners or flavours. The protein is a complete protein with a PDCAAS of 1.0.

Food-tech company Armored Fresh, which operates from bases in the US and South Korea, said that sensory issues like heaviness, aftertaste and ‘texture fatigue’ can be a barrier to consumers boosting their protein intake.

Rather than adding ingredients to compensate for these issues, Armored Fresh’s Piilk is claimed to ‘simplify the protein system itself’ to deliver ‘a lighter, cleaner drinking experience that can integrate more naturally into daily routines’.

The yeast protein ingredient is designed to support a clean and smooth mouthfeel without traditional emulsifying systems. The single-protein approach delivers a more minimal and integrated formulation, responding to demand for cleaner labels in the protein drink and snack category.

The drink is launching initially in two flavours: Protein Chocolate and Café Latte, available through the direct-to-consumer channel in the US.