UK plant-based protein sector unites in growth commitment

Image: Indy Kaur on LinkedIn

40+ UK Plant-Based Companies Gather in United Front to Forge a Path & Propel Sector Forward

Over 40 businesses, retailers, and NGOs in the UK plant-based protein sector recently came together at the inaugural Plant-Based Proteins Workshop, hosted by Plant Futures. Participants included allplants, the Coller Foundation, Veganuary, Veg Capital, The Tofoo Co, and many more. In a move described as “unprecedented”, the organisations made a clear commitment to collaboration and growth, strategising on ways to rejuvenate the sector. They identified seven critical areas to inform the development of a growth strategy: Unity — Collaboration could unlock the sector’s growth potential, and a shared roadmap will be developed as a guide. Leadership — A coherent narrative and governance are necessary, as too much is currently open to interpretation. Positioning — Most attendees agreed that there should be a focus on highlighting …

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OmniFoods mushroom steak

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OmniFoods Debuts Lion’s Mane Steak as “New Generation of Fungi Innovation”

Plant-based food producer OmniFoods is set to introduce the latest advancements in its plant-based cuisine offerings at the upcoming Expo West 2024 in California. The new lineup includes a series of sweet baos and the launch of the OMNI Garden product line, which notably includes the debut of the company’s Lion’s Mane Mushroom Steak. At this year’s event, OMNI is unveiling the OMNI Garden series, a new collection of bowls, patties, and various plant-based delicacies focused on whole-vegetable ingredients. The Lion’s Mane Mushroom Steak is the standout product of this series, showcasing the versatility and appealing taste of lion’s mane mushrooms and offering attendees of Expo West the first opportunity to sample them. In addition, the company will expand its sweet offerings, following the success …

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Vegandale touring vegan experience

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“World’s Largest Touring Vegan Experience” Vegandale Expands to the UK

Vegandale, the North American festival described as the world’s largest touring vegan experience, is expanding to the UK in 2024. The festival has announced a London event at Clapham Common from July 13-14, and a Manchester event on July 6 (location to be announced). Additionally, there will be an event in Philadelphia this year, adding to the six existing North American locations — New York, Toronto, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and Dallas. Vegandale features a range of musical performances, with last year’s headlining acts including Rick Ross, Coi Leray, and DJ Khaled. London artists are expected to be announced next month. A diverse range of food, beverage, and lifestyle options will also be available, with the London and Manchester events featuring both local food and …

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Handtmann Showcases Molding System Suitable for Production of Vegan Products at AnugaFoodTec

Handtmann, a specialist in forming, portioning, dosing, and packaging systems for the food industry, is to present a new option for producing molded and filled products at the AnugaFoodTec show this March. The new Handtmann all-in-one molding system FS 525 offers manufacturers of snack and convenience products a new option to further expand the possibilities in the production of molded products: the co-extrusion function. The molding system offers flexibility for both free molding and for molding and separating vegetarian and vegan alternative products, among others. The additional co-extrusion function now enables the production of a wide variety of filled products. The FS 525 forming and cutting system combines two different forming principles for maximum flexibility in industrial applications (perforated plate forming technology for freely shaped …

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Vegan Women Summit

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The Vegan Women Summit Returns to Hollywood Showcasing Female Leadership in Vegan Business

The Vegan Women Summit (VWS) is returning for its 4th year, scheduled for May 9 and 10, 2024, at the Pacific Design Center in Hollywood. The summit is a global event that brings together women leaders in vegan business, featuring speakers, panels, and networking opportunities with potential partners, mentors, and investors. VWS has released an impressive roster of celebrity speakers for this year’s event, which includes actress Richa Moorjani, philanthropist Maggie Baird (mother of musician Billie Eilish), model and reality TV star Jayde Nicole and Heather Mills, a Paralympian and the owner of VBites. Mills is poised to share the inspiring journey of VBites, which she recently reacquired after the company entered administration at the end of last year. Joanne Molinaro, The Korean Vegan, and …

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Oddlygood Barista range

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Product of the Year Awards 2024 Names Oddlygood as Best Plant Based Milk

The 2024 Product of the Year winners, chosen by 8,000 UK consumers in what is described as the UK’s largest celebration of product innovation, have been revealed. Now in its 20th year, Product of the Year aims to provide a platform for everyday household products we use regularly but often take for granted. The Product of the Year logo has 81% shopper recognition, can be seen in all major supermarkets and convenience stores across the country, and is described as a vote of confidence by consumers for consumers. Whereas last year’s event saw 17 vegan products awarded, the 2024 ceremony, for some reason (we will enquire), recognised just three: Heinz Beanz Bowlz, Oddlygood‘s Barista Vanilla Flavour Oat Drink, and Mentos Pure Fresh Gum Paperboard mints. …

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WHEATY to Present New Seitan-Based Meat Alternatives at BIOFACH

In time for BIOFACH 2024, TOPAS GmbH is presenting various new vegan products without fillers and additives with its flagship brand WHEATY. The world’s leading trade fair for organic food BIOFACH starts again in Nuremberg, tomorrow February 13. And this year the pioneering company for organic vegan meat alternatives in Germany, TOPAS GmbH, founded by Klaus Gaiser in 1993, will be there once again. The company can be found in Hall 9, Stand 409. This year, managing director Klaus Gaiser and his team will present new products on-site, which will then be added to the order lists via organic wholesalers from March 2024. The specialist retail brand WHEATY has been one of the established players in the refrigeration sector for meat alternatives for over 30 …

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Handtmann's InotecWolf machinery

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Handtmann to Showcase Food Processing Innovations at Anuga FoodTec

German food machinery manufacturer Handtmann, which recently unveiled a manufacturing innovation to create marbled and fat-layered meat alternatives in partnership with Planteneers, is set to showcase its latest innovations at Anuga FoodTec next month. At the event, which takes place in Cologne from 19 – 22 March, Handtmann is set to unveil a suite of food processing technologies aimed at enhancing the production capabilities for a wide array of food products and pet food. The offerings encompass modular process solutions spanning from product preparation to the final transfer to packaging solutions, catering to operations of all scales, from startups to fully automated, high-capacity industrial production setups. Highlights include the debut of the Handtmann Inotec IW series grinder, capable of handling up to nine metric tons …

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IFFA 2024 logo

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The Evolution of a Meat Industry Trade Fair: “Rethinking Meat and Proteins” is Theme for IFFA 2025

Under the motto “Rethinking Meat and Proteins”, IFFA 2025 will feature a dedicated “New Proteins” product area. The international meat and protein industry will convene from 3rd to 8th May 2025 in Frankfurt am Main for IFFA – Technology for Meat and Alternative Proteins, which continues its shift in interest towards alternative proteins. The International Trade Fair for the Meat Industry, known as IFFA, has traditionally been a leading global trade fair focused on the meat industry, showcasing innovations in meat processing, packaging, and sales. However, in recent years, there has been a notable shift in IFFA’s focus, reflecting broader industry and consumer trends towards alternative proteins. The protein world is rapidly developing This shift is primarily driven by growing consumer demand for sustainable and …

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London’s Spitalfields to Host Future Food Systems 2024: Igniting Innovation

Independent Forums brings Future Food Systems 2024: Igniting Innovation to London for a third year on Thursday 1st February. Taking place at Fora Spitalfields, the event will feature speakers from Nestlé, PepsiCo, Mars, Kellanova, Diageo, Kraft Heinz Company, and Nomad Foods. Future Food System states that the event, which is sponsored by V-Label, will gather stakeholders from the food and beverage sector to discuss how the industry can harness innovation, technology, and financial models to improve the current food system. The 2024 event theme is Igniting Innovation, and sessions include: Unlocking Innovation in the Value Chain: A Systems Approach Realising the Full Potential of Regenerative Agriculture Solving the Protein Puzzle Changing Consumer Habits: Health, Nutrition & Innovation “I’m excited to announce the latest developments for …

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WunderEggs Costco Roadshows

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Crafty Counter Teams Up With Costco to Showcase WunderEggs at US Roadshows

Crafty Counter, the producer of vegan hard-boiled egg alternative, WunderEggs, has announced a strategic collaboration with retail giant Costco to showcase its products at three Costco roadshows in the United States. After attending the Fearless Fund VC Summit in Atlanta, which was sponsored by Costco, Crafty Counter received purchase orders for Costco’s roadshows in Atlanta and Orlando throughout the month of January. Hema Reddy, founder, and CEO of Crafty Counter, shared her vision on social media, stating, “I had heard that roadshows were a vehicle to test your offering, price propensity, insights on the club shopper, and get tons of feedback while of course selling your products to an entirely new customer base. Therefore that was a key part of my pitch.” Although WunderEggs are …

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Webinar Recap: Proteins and Fibres – Identifying Winning Solutions with KaTech Ingredient Solutions

Discover the intricate world of plant-based product development in our latest webinar recording, titled ‘Proteins and Fibers: Understanding the Essentials for Plant-based Formulations’. Jocelyn Hernandez, Senior Project Manager at KaTech, takes you through the complexities and nuances of selecting the right proteins and fibers for exceptional plant-based products. Display content from YouTube Click here to display content from YouTube. Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy. Always display content from YouTube Open “KaTech Webinar – Proteins and fibres: Understanding the essentials for plant based formulatio” directly Navigating the Diverse Landscape of Plant Proteins and Fibers The webinar explores the vast variety of proteins and fibers available, from fava bean and chickpea proteins to apple, bamboo, and citrus fibers. Learn how these ingredients differ in functionality and …

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Dubai Cop 28 ProVeg

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COP28: Why is the Decision to Have Two-Thirds Plant-Based Catering Important?

Note: the opinions stated in this article are those of ProVeg International which contributes these entries each week as part of its New Food Hub series. While we do of course have a shared mission, the views expressed within the series are not necessarily always shared by this publication. As COP28 well and truly kicks off, the decision to embrace two-thirds of plant-based catering has been welcomed. This shift towards a predominantly plant-based menu holds immense significance as climate change threatens global stability. COP28, hosted by the UAE (November 30 – December 12, 2023), will be a momentous occasion for the world to unite in addressing global sustainability challenges and halting climate change. In its recent New Food Hub article, ProVeg International explored the significance …

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meat vs vegetables

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Plant-Based Activists Take a Seat at COP28 While Big Meat & Dairy Arrive in Full Force to Launch Counter-Attack

COP28, the United Nations’ climate conference, starts today in Dubai and will continue until December 12. And while work is being done by climate and food activists at the event to bring the urgency of addressing food system change into focus, the meat and dairy industry is in town sharpening tools in preparation for what could be effectively the biggest greenwashing operation the world has ever seen. It may come as no surprise that the event, attended by world leaders and multi-billionaires, with the UK Prime Minister, King Charles, and Foreign Secretary David Cameron all arriving in separate jets, serves as a platform for those in power and that their strategy would be galvanised this year in order to oppose those petitioning against the consumption …

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AGRANA Presents Plant-Based Concepts in Alignment with Food Trends at Food Ingredients Europe

Austrian food group AGRANA is showcasing its extensive product range, encompassing fruit preparations, fruit juice concentrates, starch, and sugar, at the Food Ingredients Europe (FiE) event in Frankfurt, a prominent trade fair for the food and beverage industry, taking place from today November 28th to 30th, 2023. At the FiE event, AGRANA, in partnership with AUSTRIA Juice, a collaborative venture between AGRANA and Raiffeisen Ware Austria, is addressing current dietary and beverage trends. These trends include the growing significance of plant-based concepts like yogurt alternatives and meat substitutes. The event will feature various concepts tailored for yogurt product manufacturers, plant-based yogurt alternatives, and plant-based home cooking solutions. Noteworthy highlights at the trade fair include ready-made vegan product variations. These comprehensive solutions involve pre-mixing fruit components …

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NÉGYOSZ team

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NÉGYOSZ: Working to Transform the Hungarian Food System Through Plant-Based Foods

NÉGYOSZ is a Hungarian organisation representing the interests of plant-based producers and distributors, with the aim of sustainably transforming the domestic food system. The organisation is using several different strategies to work towards its goals, this includes organising the recent Conference for Sustainable Food Systems, which took place on November 9. The conference focused on the role and importance of plant-based diets, and was attended by governmental stakeholders. NÉGYOSZ also co-organised the Plant-Powered Perspectives conference, which took place just a few days later on November 14. Focusing on the HORECA sector, the event aimed to help businesses that want to introduce plant-based products to their menus. Among the speakers was Dr Olga Beáta Felkai, Deputy State Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture. Plant-based study Recently, …

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Vegan Women Summit VWS Awards

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Vegan Women Summit Introduces VWS Awards Recognizing Female Leadership Impact

To celebrate innovation in women’s leadership, sustainability, and animal welfare on a global scale, The Vegan Women Summit (VWS) has announced the “VWS Awards.” This marks the first-ever recognition event of its kind, designed to acknowledge individuals and organizations elevating female leadership while positively impacting the planet and animals. The Vegan Women Summit is a global events and media organization that empowers women in vegan business by providing networking, pitching, and investment opportunities. The VWS Awards is the newest of the organization’s many initiatives aimed at providing a platform for women leaders that may otherwise go unnoticed. Last week, VWS announced the winner of its Pathfinder Pitch Competition, where a variety of female entrepreneurs submitted pitches to secure a spot as a speaker at the …

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Plant Based World Expo Europe

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Plant Based World Expo Europe Welcomes Over 3,700 Attendees From 25 Countries

Plant Based World Expo Europe — the continent’s largest fully plant-based trade event — took place in London for the third time from November 15-16. This year’s event saw over 3,700 attendees from more than 25 countries, including representatives from food service, retail, and the wider food and beverage sector. Notable attendees included senior decision makers from major companies such as Sodexo and Nestle, as well as university academics, government advisors, and research leads from ProVeg and Plant Futures. Exhibitors such as Upfield highlighted the environmentally friendly credentials of their foods, while others demonstrated products made from vegetables and whole foods — a growing trend as consumers look for less processed and more nutritious options. Meanwhile, plant-based pizzeria Purezza announced its merger with artisan vegan …

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Food for Climate Pavilion

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Food4Climate Pavilion Returns to COP to “Unlock Potential of Plant-Rich Diets”

For a second time, this year’s COP climate summit will feature pavilions dedicated to food system change, including the Food4Climate pavilion. Led by a coalition of leading plant-based and animal rights organizations, such as ProVeg International, World Animal Protection, and Upfield, the pavilion will spotlight the environmental impact of the food system to delegates from almost 200 countries. It will also outline how food production could be transformed to reach net zero, including through nature-positive farming practices, plant-rich diets, and alternative proteins. The aim is to mainstream the transition towards a more resilient food system, benefiting both the climate and people affected by food insecurity. Delegates will be encouraged to get involved in the pavilion through interactive exhibits, workshops, and presentations. The full programme can …

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Vegan Women Summit pathfinder pitch competition

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Fei Luo of Liven Proteins Corp. Wins VWS Pathfinder Pitch Competition

Vegan Women Summit’s Pathfinder Virtual Pitch Competition has come to a close with the announcement of Fei Luo of Liven Proteins Corp. as this year’s winner, securing a spot to speak at the 2024 Vegan Women Summit (VWS). Established to provide key investment in early-stage plant-based women founders, VWS Pathfinder enlisted an expert panel featuring industry investors such as Caroline Cormier of Upfield, Beatriz Franco of Vita Vera Ventures, and Mariliis Holm of Sustainable Food Ventures to judge the competition and offer the opportunity for one female founder to showcase their expertise and products at the VWS in NYC next year. Toronto-based Liven Proteins Corp uses precision fermentation to produce animal-free proteins from upcycled agriculture and food byproducts to enhance the taste and texture of …

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