In the summer of 2016, after three years of using Soylent as the powder mix created to cover the nutritional needs of the busy geeks of Silicon Valley, the representatives of the company responsible for the manufacturing of the product received a series of complaints.
In October, Rosa Foods Inc., the manufacturer of the product, stopped selling the mix and recalled all its protein bars. Negative symptoms were reported in the form of gastrointestinal distress, vomiting and nausea after people consumed the powder formula, once believed to be a perfect solution for people with no time.
The company has been conducting investigations for two of its products, Food Bar and Soylent 1.6 Powder, since the complaints started to appear. The complaints have started in the middle of the company publicity wave, which had been going on for more than two years.
The protein drink Soylent was introduced in the market in 2013, and it immediately became a timely solution for most of the venture capitalists working in Silicon Valley. The powder mix was considered to be one of the most efficient ways to assure that the amount of nutrients necessary for the body and the brain to function properly are met.
Since a portion isn't more than $2, tech people started to see the powder as a last resort for the necessary amount of energy and supplements. Poured in a glass of water, the solution would solve all the alimentation issues, leaving the very busy people with nothing to worry about.
The Culprit: Flour Made From Native Algae Strains
According to the representatives of the LA food-tech startup, the main culprit for the situation are the plants from native algae strains, which would have caused the symptoms in people who consumed the powder mix.
The company also reported using an algae-based ingredient in preparing two of its newest products. Algal flour, the ingredient preliminary reports suggest caused the adverse reactions, is the company's main suspect so far. Aside from powders and bars, the algae can be found as an active substance in the premade drink replacement. However, as its recipe uses the substance as oil, not flour, there have been no complaints regarding these last two products.
The representatives of Soylent strongly expressed their intentions to remove the ingredient from further recipes of the powders, as they are currently working on a way to take out the flour from future variants of the product.
"We are releasing new formulations of our powder mix and meal replacement bars early next year. Our new formulations will no longer contain algal flour," declared Rob Rhinehart, Soylent's co-founder and CEO.
For the moment, however, it seems that there is a lack of scientific evidence in the Soylent case, which will significantly alter the process of handling the accusations.
