JUST Egg is a plant-based egg substitute made from mung beans. It mimics the taste, texture, and cooking properties of eggs while being cholesterol-free. JUST Egg comes in a few different forms, including a refrigerated liquid and frozen patties. Consumers with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity often wonder if JUST Egg is a gluten-free option for them.
What is JUST Egg?
JUST Egg was created by food technology company Eat Just and first launched in 2018. It is made primarily from mung bean protein isolate. Mung beans, also known as moong beans or green grams, are legumes that originate from India. They are a common ingredient in many Asian cuisines.
To create JUST Egg, mung beans are separated into starch and protein components. The protein is then isolated, purified, and combined with other ingredients like potato starch, coconut oil, and citric acid. Turmeric and carrot concentrates give JUST Egg its signature yellow hue.
Compared to chicken eggs, JUST Egg is lower in saturated fat and contains no cholesterol. It is marketed as a more environmentally friendly, humane, and nutritious alternative to conventional eggs.
Gluten Content of JUST Egg
Gluten is a group of proteins found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. People with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity cannot tolerate gluten and need to follow a strict gluten-free diet.
Mung beans are naturally gluten-free. However, checking labels is still important when purchasing gluten-free products. Cross-contamination can occur if gluten-containing ingredients are processed on shared equipment.
Eat Just clearly labels JUST Egg products as “gluten-free” and produces them in a dedicated gluten-free facility. The company states on their website:
“Our manufacturing facility is 100% dedicated to JUST Egg, thereby eliminating any chance of cross-contamination with gluten or other allergens. Every batch of JUST Egg is tested to verify gluten-free status.”
This rigorous approach makes it very unlikely that JUST Egg contains traces of gluten. Individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance can feel confident consuming JUST Egg patties and other products.
Ingredients in JUST Egg Patty
Here are the ingredients listed on the JUST Egg frozen patty packaging:
- Water
- Mung Bean Protein Isolate
- Canola Oil
- Less than 2% of: Natural Flavors, Potato Starch, Gum Arabic, Citric Acid, Carrot Fiber, Beet Juice Extract (for color), Salt, Sunflower Lecithin, Succinic Acid, Acetic Acid, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate
The ingredient list confirms that JUST Egg patties contain no wheat, barley, rye, or other gluten-containing grains. The production process and ingredients make cross-contamination very unlikely.
Nutrition Facts of JUST Egg Patty
Here are the nutrition facts for a 76g JUST Egg patty according to the package:
| Amount Per Serving | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 100 |
| Total Fat | 7g |
| Saturated Fat | 1g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 330mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 2g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Total Sugars | 0g |
| Protein | 13g |
The nutrition information contains no mention of gluten or wheat-based ingredients. This is typical for products that are produced in dedicated gluten-free facilities.
How JUST Egg Can Be Used
JUST Egg has a smooth, creamy texture when cooked. It can be used in place of chicken eggs in many dishes and recipes, including:
- Omelets, scrambled eggs, and egg sandwiches
- Breakfast bowls and burritos
- Baked goods like cakes, muffins, brownies
- French toast, pancakes, waffles
- Quiches, frittatas, and stratas
- Mayonnaise, salad dressings, custards
The patties are fully cooked and ready to enjoy straight from the freezer. They can be enjoyed in breakfast sandwiches, alone as a snack, or incorporated into other recipes.
Reviews of JUST Egg Patty
Reviews of the JUST Egg frozen patties are generally very positive. Here are some examples:
“I was very pleased with this product. As a person who needs to eat gluten-free, it was wonderful to enjoy a “normal” breakfast sandwich.” – Liz J.
“Tastes just like an egg! We are glad we discovered this product. It cooks up just like the real thing.” – Janet W.
“I made breakfast sandwiches with these patties and you really can’t tell the difference from regular egg. Will definitely buy again.” – Hannah T.
Many reviews mention that the patties have an indistinguishable taste and texture compared to egg patties. People note they perform well when cooked in different ways like pan-frying, microwaving, or baking.
Are There Any Allergy Concerns?
Those with egg allergies should avoid JUST Egg since it is designed to mimic the properties of chicken eggs, even though it contains no egg ingredients. People with soy allergies should also exercise caution since early formulations of JUST Egg contained soy protein. However, the company switched to using mung bean protein isolate instead.
No cases of allergic reactions to JUST Egg in people who tolerate mung beans have been reported. However, anyone with food sensitivities should check the latest ingredient information before consuming.
Mung bean allergy is very rare but has been documented, especially in India where mung beans originated. Those with known mung bean allergy should avoid JUST Egg until able to discuss with an allergist.
Is JUST Egg Suitable for Various Diets?
One appeal of JUST Egg for many consumers is that it suits a variety of diets and lifestyles:
- Gluten-free: Certified gluten-free and safe for celiacs
- Nut-free: Does not contain tree nuts or peanuts
- Soy-free: Made without soy ingredients
- Kosher: Carries Orthodox Union Kosher certification
- Vegan: Contains no animal products
- Vegetarian: Suitable for ovo-lacto vegetarian diets
- Cholesterol-free: May benefit heart health
The availability of JUST Egg makes it easier for many people with specialty diets to enjoy the familiar taste and function of eggs in recipes and meals.
Cost Analysis
On a per-serving basis, JUST Egg costs more than conventional eggs:
- JUST Egg frozen patties: $0.83 – $1.66 per patty
- Large chicken egg: Around $0.05 – $0.15 per egg
However, the premium price of JUST Egg may be worthwhile for those with egg allergies or other specialty diets. For the average consumer, chicken eggs remain the more budget-friendly option.
Economies of scale could potentially bring down the cost of JUST Egg in the future as production expands. But as a new plant-based product, it is likely to remain pricier than animal-derived eggs.
Environmental Impact
Studies have found that compared to chicken egg production, JUST Egg has:
- 89% less water usage
- 46% less energy usage
- 93% less land usage
- 87% less carbon emissions
This is because chickens and chicken feed require significant natural resources and agricultural land. JUST Egg’s ingredients are derived from plants that can be produced more efficiently.
For environmentally-conscious consumers, the smaller carbon and water footprint of JUST Egg may help motivate choosing plant-based over animal products. However, more research is needed comparing the full life cycle impacts.
Conclusion
In summary, JUST Egg patty and other products are clearly labeled gluten-free and produced in dedicated facilities that avoid cross-contact with gluten. The ingredients, nutrition facts, and thorough allergen protocols provide assurance of the lack of gluten content.
For those with celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, or who follow a gluten-free diet, JUST Egg patties can be considered a safe, high-quality egg substitute. They provide the familiar taste, texture, and function of eggs without the concerns about gluten exposure.
Those with less common allergies like to mung beans should exercise additional caution. But JUST Egg’s rigorous allergen procedures make this unlikely to be a widespread issue.
With its certification and compliance with several specialty diets, JUST Egg offers a versatile egg replacement. Consumers can feel confident about the accuracy of its “gluten-free” labeling.
