February 2019
Nestlé to Continue Investing in Plant-Based Foods
USA – Good Catch Foods Launch Plant-Based Tuna
During the same week that Loma Linda debut their vegan tuna alternative TUNO to the UK, Whole Foods Market and Thrive Market in the US are now launching three new 100% plant-based tunas from Good Catch Foods. They will be the first retailers to carry these shelf-stable products.
Politicians Give Rallying Support to Million Dollar Vegan Campaign
With the latest scientific evidence showing the devastating effects of industrial livestock on our planet and the environment, 40 MEPs have declared their support for the Million Dollar Vegan Campaign. The campaign calls for the public to eat vegan food during the 40-day Lent to combat climate change, species extinction, pollution and the suffering of livestock. The declaration was signed by MEPs from 17 EU Member States and seven of the eight political groups in the European Parliament, coordinated by German MEP Stefan Eck.
Panda Express Yields to Animal Rights Groups with Vegan Options
Panda Express has announced that by the end of this month, it will offer vegan options for the first time across all 2000+ global locations. The largest Asian Cuisine restaurant chain in the US has options on the menu that appear to be vegetarian or vegan, but in fact, contain chicken broth. Animal Outreach and PETA discovered this, and separately launched successful campaigns against the chain.
Rügenwalder Mühle Adds to Vegan Range With Launch of New Products
Rügenwalder Mühle is a meat production company based in North Germany, who since 2014 have been gradually increasing their number of meat alternatives, such as sausages, escalopes, and deli slices, to great success. This meat-free range has proved immensely popular in Germany, and last year their reported turnover reached 210 million euros, with 30% coming from vegetarian and vegan products.
PepsiCo to Acquire CytoSports from Hormel Foods
Initially acquired by Hormel in 2014 for $450 million, CytoSport produces a range of plant-based protein and wellness products including ready-to-drink beverages, protein-based powders, sports nutrition bars and energy chews, under the Muscle Milk and Evolve brands.
JUST Inc Seeks $200 Million Funding
Just Inc has seen phenomenal success with their vegan egg replacement product JUST Egg, and is also developing a vegan Waygu beef product. Now the company, previously known as Hampton Creek, is seeking $200 million in new funding for new product developments.
Fry Family Foods to Launch in US
Fry Family Foods (Fry’s), the vegan food manufacturers based in Durban, South Africa, is expanding its global footprint from 30+ countries to include the United States. Fry’s public tasting debut will be at booth #9503 at the Natural Products Expo West on March 7-9, 2019 in Anaheim, California.
Global Food Industries Launches Plant-Based Burgers
The United Arab Emirates-based food manufacturer Global Food Industries (GFI) presented a new plant-based burger at this year’s Gulfood 2019. The company, which belongs to Albatha Holding, one of the largest conglomerates in the United Arab Emirates, is the first and only local company to address changing food preferences. GFI is planning to launch the “Never from meat” plant-based product range under the Healthy Farm brand.
PETA: “Restaurants and Retailers are Scrambling to Meet the Growing Demand for Plant-Based Food”
Last week, PETA UK released a manual for “veganising” food, in order to help restaurants and retail outlets who are struggling to keep up with the overwhelming demand for plant-based products. We spoke with Dawn Carr, Director of Vegan Corporate Projects, regarding PETA’s new manual and the increasing demand on the plant-based market.
Leading Irish Meat Producers Launch Meat-Free Brand With £250K Campaign
Meat processor ABP Food Group, industry leaders based in Ireland and operating around the UK and Europe, is the latest in a line of meat producers and distributors to announce that they will be venturing into the plant-based market with an own-brand vegan line.
Top Athletes Invest in Beyond Meat
According to Business Wire, 14 current and former top athletes have now invested in Beyond Meat. They are also championing a new campaign called ‘Go Beyond’, which was launched to highlight the positive effects that such athletes have experienced after changing to a plant-based diet.
Australia – Major Market Increase in Vegan Fast-Food
Australia is the third fastest growing vegan market in the world. Sales of packaged vegan food are predicted to reach $215 million by 2020, up from $136 million, according to research company Euromonitor International.
Vegan Tuna Alternative TUNO Arrives in UK
Atlantic Natural Foods and Worldwide Food Associates have announced the launch of its plant-based seafood alternative, TUNO, at the Natural and Organic Products Europe (NOPE) trade show in London 7-8th April 2019. TUNO is part of the Loma Linda brand; established 1890 in the US, Loma Linda is available in over 6,000 retailer outlets across the USA, and is now set to launch its products in the UK.
Newly Founded “Plant-Based Product Council” Advocates Sustainable Products and Packaging
The Plant Based Products Council (PBPC) is a new association of companies and environmental leaders committed to sustainable products and packaging made from plant materials. The PBPC was founded at the California Bioresource Economy Summit in California, with the goal of promoting the use of sustainable products made from renewable biomass to protect the environment.
Heartbest Foods Takes on the Mexican Cheese Industry
Heartbest Foods are taking on the dairy substitution market in Mexico, where a staggering one in three people are lactose intolerant. Heartbest Foods makes vegan cheese and milk from plants such as peas, amaranth and rice.
Dutch Company Nuud Advertises a ‘Revolution for the Planet and Your Armpits’
Vegan cosmetic firms have been gaining strength in recent years, with millennials seeking natural products that are harmless, sustainable and cruelty-free. In addition to the rise in cruelty-free and plant-based beauty and cosmetics, the conscious consumer also seeks personal hygiene products such as deodorant.
Planet Oat: “We Believe in the Power of What the Oat Brings to the “Milk” Aisle”
Planet Oat is a brand new oatmilk brand from HP Hood LLC, one of the largest branded U.S. food and beverage companies with over 170 years of expertise in processing beverages. Planet Oat’s full-bodied milk alternative has a is naturally sweet, and boasts nutritional benefits thanks to the oat, and was launched across major grocers and supermarkets in December 2018.