Protein Bar Manufacturer Accused of Monopolizing Key Ingredient

A New York-based protein bar producer was sued in federal court with claims that it secretly acquired an exclusive supplier of a fat-replacement ingredient and cut off supply to competitors in the low-calorie food industry.

Linus Technology Inc., a company founded by entrepreneur Peter Rahal, acquired Epogee LLC, resulting in complete control over esterified propoxylated glycerol, lead plaintiff OWN Your Hunger said in a complaint filed Monday in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.

The complaint calls the ingredient “a revolutionary patented fat replacement ingredient that reduces calories from fat by 92% while maintaining traditional ...