Iron, Reimagined by Nature.
HiFe Plants are developing high iron pea plants that could be an important health ingredient.
About Us
High-iron innovation
At HiFe Plants, we’ve developed a breakthrough pea variety that contains 40 times more iron than conventional peas. This makes it ideal for creating a natural, high-iron powder ingredient for use in functional foods or iron supplements.
Unlike traditional iron sources, our iron is stored in ferritin – a form the human body can absorb effectively, without side effects like nausea or constipation. Backed by science and driven by innovation, we’re offering a clean-label, plant-based alternative that supports health and improves consumers’ quality of life.
The Problem
The Iron Gap in Modern Nutrition
Widespread deficiency, global impact
Iron is the world’s most common micronutrient deficiency. Despite supplementation efforts, it remains a major public health issue – especially among women.
Europe isn’t immune
Even in high-income regions like Europe, 1 in 3 women don’t get enough iron from their diets – contributing to persistent fatigue, illness, and decreased quality of life.
Iron Deficiency Affects Daily Life
Symptoms like tiredness, weakness, and headaches often go unrecognised but are linked to poor iron intake. These issues drive consumers to seek better, more tolerable solutions.
Current Solutions Fall Short
Conventional iron supplements can cause gastrointestinal side effects that limit compliance – leaving a clear demand for effective, gut-friendly alternatives.
Our Solution
Unlocking Plant-Based Iron That Performs
HiFe Plants has developed a natural way for crops to store more iron in a highly bioavailable form. Our high-iron peas offer a plant-based solution that’s effective, gentle, and ideal for food or supplement applications.
01.
Solving the Plant Iron Problem
Most plant foods are naturally low in iron, and what iron they do contain is often poorly absorbed. This limits the nutritional impact of many plant-based products.
02.
Iron Accumulation, Engineered by Nature
At HiFe Plants, we’ve developed a way to help plants accumulate significantly more iron than normal – without genetic modification.
03.
Iron that’s ready for the gut
Our high-iron peas store iron in ferritin, a naturally bioavailable form the human body can absorb more easily – without side effects.
04.
Designed for Integration
This technology can be used to produce fresh food, to make an ingredient for use in supplements, or to fortify plant-based, functional foods. This can help brands to deliver better nutrition.
Team of Professionals
Meet Our Team
We’re a team of scientists, growers, and innovators working to make iron more accessible, effective, and natural. Together, we’re rethinking nutrition from the ground up – one plant at a time.
Jacob Pullin
CEO
Janneke Balk
Chief Scientific Officer
Help Us Shape the Future of Iron Innovation
We’re building science-backed, plant-based iron ingredients for the next generation of functional foods and supplements. Take a short survey or watch a quick video to see how our work could support yours.
Lets Get in Touch!
Have questions, ideas, or just want to learn more about what we’re building? We’d love to hear from you!
Email us
jacob.pullin@jic.ac.uk