When we talk about high-quality whey protein, Fonterra is a name that stands out in the global dairy industry. This New Zealand cooperative, with decades of experience in producing top-tier dairy ingredients, is synonymous with innovation and quality.

Here, we explain the characteristics and why we have chosen Fonterra as our raw material and its excellence in dairy protein production, offering:

Optimal nutritional values.
Natural milk flavour.
Creamy texture and pleasant mouthfeel.
Easy dissolution and smooth mixing.
Guaranteed purity: Milk free from contaminants.

What Is Instant Whey Protein Concentrate 450?

When we refer to Fonterra’s ‘Instant Whey Protein Concentrate 450’ (iWPC 450 from now on), we are talking about the instant whey protein concentrate that we use as a base protein (raw material) at HSN to produce two of our flagship products: Evowhey Protein and 100% Whey Protein Concentrate from RawSeries. In fact, this product is 100% iWPC 450, with no added ingredients.

The iWPC 450 from Fonterra is the benchmark for whey protein concentrates thanks to its exceptional nutritional composition and superior organoleptic properties:

Where Does the Raw Material for Evowhey Protein and Our 100% WPC Come From?

Fonterra used to supply HSN’s factory from various sources: the UK, Lithuania, and the Netherlands. However, for some time now, we have had exclusive supply from their most advanced production facility, located in Heerenveen, the Netherlands.

At this facility, Fonterra combines cutting-edge technology with strict quality controls to ensure the highest standards for every batch produced. It is in this context that iWPC 450 is obtained, a top-quality whey protein concentrate that we consider, without a doubt, our best partner in nutrition.

How Is iWPC 450 Produced?

In simple terms, the starting material used by Fonterra is fresh whey derived from cheese production.

If you didn’t know, one of the first stages in cheese production is the separation of casein and whey in milk through curdling/precipitation of the casein. You can even see this process at home—the transparent liquid on top of a yoghurt or fresh cheese is the whey, while the white gel (precipitate) consists mainly of casein.

At the production plant, this fresh whey is passed through ultra-filtration membranes that separate its components, concentrating all the protein while retaining a certain fraction of fat and lactose from the original composition.

The filtered whey is then spray-dried and instantised to optimise solubility and minimise clumping when preparing a shake. This process involves adding a small amount of sunflower lecithin.

While many whey protein concentrates on the market are instantised with soy lecithin (which is classified as an allergen), this is not the case when sunflower lecithin is used.

As a result, the range of consumers who can safely consume it is much broader.

Furthermore, and this is very important, at HSN’s factory, we have strict controls to prevent cross-contamination with allergens. This is why Evowhey Protein and 100% Whey Protein Concentrate are completely free from allergens such as gluten, soy, or nuts (to name a few common examples).

The entire process described above is carried out without exposing the product to high temperatures, which is why iWPC 450 is classified under what is known as ‘DISK A’ in the ‘Scorched Particles’ quality parameter.

This parameter is an indicator of its quality and processing.

‘Scorched particles’ form when whey proteins are burned or caramelised during production, which can impact their flavour, solubility, and nutritional value. This is measured in milligrams per 25 grams of product, with classifications ranging from ‘Extra’ (less than 7.5 mg) to ‘Third Quality’ (more than 22.5 mg).

A whey protein with fewer scorched particles guarantees a better nutritional and sensory profile, making it ideal for those seeking high-quality protein for their diet and supplementation.

But that’s not all—iWPC 450 is also made from milk sourced from grass-fed cows. This feeding method not only promotes animal welfare but also enhances the nutritional and organoleptic properties of the milk.

So, each serving of protein we consume not only supports a healthy diet but also contributes to a sustainable and environmentally responsible production.

Why Choose WPC 80 450 Instant Over Others?

iWPC 450 is the benchmark for whey protein concentrates due to its extraordinary nutritional composition and superior organoleptic characteristics. For this reason, in our flagship product, Evowhey Protein, we have selected this raw material as the foundation to offer a protein that meets the expectations of the most demanding consumers.

Here are some reasons why we chose it, despite having tested virtually every whey protein concentrate on the market:

1. Optimal Nutritional Values

One of the main reasons we use this raw material is its high protein content. Within whey protein concentrates, there are different standards ranging from around 40% to 80% protein.

Our raw material contains a protein percentage of over 80% on a dry basis, making it one of the purest whey concentrates available. This ensures an optimal supply of essential amino acids, which are crucial for muscle recovery and lean mass maintenance.

This is not just our claim, we verify it through the certificates of analysis that accompany each and every batch we use:

And this extends to our final products, which are analysed in laboratories completely independent of HSN:

2. Natural Milk Flavour

The organoleptic profile of iWPC 450 is another of its strengths. Unlike other whey concentrates that may have bitter or artificial notes, this protein stands out for its natural fresh milk taste. This allows us to develop products with a clean, pleasant flavour without the need to mask defects with excessive flavourings or sweeteners.

We have even been able to launch the full range of Evowhey No Sweeteners, which features naturally delicious flavours despite being completely free from sweeteners.

3. Creamy Texture and Pleasant Mouthfeel

Texture is a key factor in the protein shake experience. Fonterra’s iWPC 450 offers a natural creaminess that enhances mouthfeel and makes every sip enjoyable.

Thanks to this characteristic, Evowhey Protein achieves a perfect consistency that sets it apart from other products on the market.
4 Easy Dissolution and Smooth Mixing

Another outstanding attribute of this protein is its instant solubility. iWPC 450 has been designed to dissolve easily in liquids, without forming lumps or leaving residue.

This means that consumers can enjoy a perfectly smooth shake with just a few seconds of shaking, improving convenience and user experience.

5 Guaranteed Purity: Milk Free from Contaminants

The excellence of iWPC 450 is reflected in its purity from source. Fonterra is committed to obtaining 100% clean milk, free from any type of contaminant, including antibiotics and hormones.

This rigorous control ensures that the final protein maintains its integrity and quality, offering a safe and natural supplement.

Why Does the Powder’s Appearance Vary?

As mentioned earlier in this article, the production of iWPC 450 involves several stages, including filtration, drying, and instantisation.

Although we have ‘standard’ nutritional values provided by Fonterra, which are reflected on our product labels, these standard values are actually average values obtained from analysing numerous batches. This means that individual batches may have slight (non-significant) differences in nutrition or moisture content.

What I want to highlight is that, as shown in various studies^1,2, these subtle nutritional differences or certain parameters applied during the production process may lead to some aesthetic differences or variations in the powder’s fluidity.

This is the reason why sometimes the powder in your bag of 100% Whey Protein Concentrate or Evowhey Protein may feel ‘looser’ or more compacted depending on the batch, but simply reconstituting the product eliminates these aesthetic differences.

Why Choose Evowhey Protein and 100% Whey Protein Concentrate?

By choosing these products, you are consuming a protein of the highest nutritional and organoleptic quality, regardless of any variations in the product’s appearance.

Evowhey Protein from SportSeries and nutritional table for Coconut flavour.

Conclusion: Quality and Flavour in Every Serving

As we have seen throughout this article, the raw material used in HSN products, Evowhey Protein and 100% Whey Protein Concentrate, the iWPC 450 manufactured by Fonterra at their facilities in the Netherlands, is practically the Gold Standard of the industry: a protein with exceptional nutritional values and organoleptic properties.

A meticulously crafted ingredient, produced through a manufacturing process that ensures the highest quality standards—from the very diet of the cows producing the milk, to the moment our customers receive their protein at home.

HSN, we are nutrition!