Recent weeks have seen significant product launches, partnerships, and events in the alternative protein and sustainable food industry, showcasing innovation and shifting consumer preferences.
Future Food Industry Roundup: Key Developments and Launches
In the ever-evolving alternative protein and sustainable food industry, recent weeks have seen a flurry of activity with new product launches, strategic partnerships, and industry events. Here’s a detailed look at the latest highlights.
New Product Launches and Innovations
Juicy Marbles, a Slovenian producer of whole-cut plant-based meats, has launched its newest offering, Baby Ribs. This product features a cleaner-label recipe. Customers who pre-ordered via the company’s newsletter had a chance to receive prototypes of their new lamb rack or bacon options. The 350g packs will be available starting tomorrow.
Shane Stanbridge and C-Y Chia, the duo behind the now-closed Lion Dance Cafe in Oakland, are working on a cookbook inspired by their vegan restaurant. They are engaging with former customers to help decide which beloved dishes should make it into the recipe collection.
In the US, Compass Group’s Eurest division has partnered with Irish company The Plant-It Food Co to introduce vegan chicken in non-commercial operations across Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia. A nationwide rollout is expected to follow soon.
UK-based Frampton’s has launched the Wessex Oat Company, offering various flavours of oat milk at competitive prices ranging from £1.49 to £1.99. The product line includes original, unsweetened, oat latte, caramel latte, and chocolate options, with plans to release a single cream alternative later in the year.
Company Milestones and Event Highlights
German start-up Planteneers debuted a fully plant-based Italian buffet in collaboration with Marriott International, featuring dishes like vegan tiramisu and mortadella sandwiches at the Future Food-Tech trade show in San Francisco.
Meanwhile, Greenforce has partnered with UAE agrifood tech company Silal to introduce its dehydrated plant-based meat mixes to foodservice locations in the Middle East and Africa region.
Kaufland, a German discount supermarket chain, has expanded its vegan private label range, K-Take It Veggie, by approximately 20%, now offering over 100 SKUs. This comes a year after the supermarket reduced the prices of its plant-based products to match those of animal proteins.
In the Australian market, Plantein has launched a line of affordable ready-to-cook vegan meals at Woolworths stores, featuring burgers, mince, and meatballs priced at A$2.95. Fellow Australian company Fascin8foods has expanded its Froom range of plant-based burgers and meatballs to retailers in New South Wales and Queensland.
Notable Corporate and Research Updates
Ingredients giant AAK has been given the green light from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its use of shea stearin, a plant-based fat that can substitute cocoa butter and coconut oil.
The Plant Based Foods Association has teamed up with job platform Tälist to facilitate job postings for its members on a dedicated AltProtein.jobs board.
Livekindly Collective, the parent company of brands like Like Meat, No Meat, Oumph!, and Alpha Foods, has promoted David Suarez to CEO from his previous role as Chief Supply Chain Officer.
In a significant educational venture, the Cultured Meat Symposium and UC Davis’ iCAMP (Integrative Center for Alternative Meat and Protein) are set to host the Alternative Protein Week from September 9th to 13th. Over 300 industry stakeholders, researchers, investors, and policymakers will gather to discuss advancements in the sector.
Dutch beverage company Refresco has expanded its European operations by acquiring Spanish plant-based milk producer Frías Nutrición, two months after opening its first European plant-based production line in Germany.
Marketing and Consumer Trends
In the UK, vegan chicken producer VFC has launched a campaign targeting KFC’s “Believe in Chicken” initiative, branding their response as “Believe in Chickens” to highlight perceived inconsistencies in KFC’s stance on animal welfare.
A recent study has highlighted moral concerns as a significant barrier to the adoption of cultivated meat, indicating that individuals in Germany and the US who value natural purity are less likely to accept these novel proteins.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has announced a $200 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the state’s food system.
US mycelium meat producer Meati has garnered the Sustainable Plant of the Year award from Food Engineering magazine for its substantial 100,000 sq ft Mega Ranch in Thornton, Colorado.
A meat-free month initiative at the University of Bonn in Germany revealed a significant shift in dietary habits. Sales of meat at the campus canteens were still 7-12% lower up to eight weeks after the trial concluded, with the majority of students expressing a desire for more meatless options.
Polls by UK-based Bosh! show a rising trend in male veganism, with nearly half of the country’s vegans now being male, challenging previous research that suggested veganism was more prevalent among women.
These developments underscore the continuing dynamic nature of the alternative protein and sustainable food sector, highlighting innovation, shifting consumer preferences, and collaborative efforts to drive the industry forward.