# R&D RADIO: Colleen Cottrell, Independent Consultant at C Cottrell Consulting

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2026-04-27
- Length: 24m
- Episode: 297
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-04-27-r-d-radio-colleen-cottrell-independent-consultant-at-c-cottrell-consulting
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/dd15308a

## Summary

Colleen Cottrell, an independent food science consultant and former employee of RXBAR, explains how ingredient functionality—specifically how heat, pressure, and shear alter protein behavior—impacts the scalability of CPG products. She details the functional differences between liquid and dried egg whites, shares DIY assays for testing foaming and gelling, and discusses the technical challenges of expanding RXBAR into new categories like oats. The conversation also covers current market trends, including protein and fiber maxing, the importance of PDCAAS scores for protein quality, and the shift toward whole, real ingredients.

## Outline

1. Introduction and Colleen Cottrell's Background
2. Defining Ingredient Functionality and Processing Impacts
3. Liquid vs. Dried Egg Whites and RXBAR Scaling
4. DIY Assays for Protein Comparison
5. RXBAR Oats and Ingredient Engineering
6. Scaling Advice: Non-Negotiables vs. Flexibility
7. Current CPG Trends: Protein, Fiber, and Whole Foods
8. PDCAAS Scores and Protein Quality

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- RXBAR (company)
- C Cottrell Consulting (company)
- Hobart (tool)
- Vitamix (tool)
- Kraft (company)
- Impeccable (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Live Episode! RXBAR: Peter Rahal](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-08-13-live-episode-rxbar-peter-rahal) (How I Built This)
- [360 - Beyond the Die Line - The pitch was awful. They liked the bar! Tom Seymour and Ree Dolnick](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-10-08-360-beyond-the-die-line-the-pitch-was-awful-they-liked-the-bar-tom-seymour-and-r) (People of Packaging)
- [Advice Line with Peter Rahal of RXBAR](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-04-10-advice-line-with-peter-rahal-of-rxbar) (How I Built This)
- [Advice Line with Pete Maldonado and Rashid Ali of Chomps](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-02-19-advice-line-with-pete-maldonado-and-rashid-ali-of-chomps) (How I Built This)
- [350 - Beyond the Dieline - Dr Juan from PNuff Crunch joins Tom Seymour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-05-27-350-beyond-the-dieline-dr-juan-from-pnuff-crunch-joins-tom-seymour) (People of Packaging)

## Citing this page

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