San Francisco food startup Just Inc. is changing course, from specializing in plant-based animal replacement products to creating cultured meat as well. To date, the flagship products have been Just Egg and Just Mayo, made from the liquid by-product of mung beans and peas, and now the company is planning a new round of fundraising ahead of an initial public offering to help raise money for developing chicken, pork and beef in a lab.
April 2019
Beyond Meat Increases Price & Size of Shares Ahead of IPO Tomorrow
Beyond Meat Inc is due to be the first plant-based meat company to file as a public company tomorrow. In an unexpected move, today the company has increased the both the price range and size of the public offering, suggesting a strong demand from investors.
Burger King’s Impossible Whopper a Huge Success, Will be Rolled Out Nationwide
Burger King’s test of a vegan version of the Whopper has been such a success that the burger chain is going to introduce it to menus across the USA this year. The trial, which took place from 1st April in St Louis USA, used the Impossible patty and was marketed as the Impossible Whopper. A spokesperson for Burger King’s parent company, Restaurant Brands International, said: “The Impossible Whopper test in St. Louis went exceedingly well and as a result there are plans to extend testing into additional markets in the very near future.” The representative added that the “Impossible Whopper sales are complementing traditional Whopper purchases,” demonstrating that the brand is targeting meat-eaters who are becoming more conscious of their choices and are looking to …
Frozen Meat Substitutes Will Continue to Account for Lion’s Share in Global Market for Meat Substitutes
Meat substitutes are considered as being at the apex, with regards to innovation of food. There is no indication that the consumers will recoil from meat any time soon. However, there is increase in the demand for flexibility requirements in the diet. Controlling meat consumption is regarded as a method of flexibility.
Danish Brand Elliott Footwear Launches World’s First Vegan, Climate-Positive Sports Shoe
The new Danish brand elliott footwear, launched on April 23rd what it calls ‘a climate positive trainer collection’ in time for the summer. Elliott is marketing a collection of trainers (sports shoes) made from materials that are vegan and recyclable, claiming that one pair of elliot trainers removes one metric tonne of CO2 emissions.
Marks and Spencer Angers Vegans With Fruit Juice Containing Beef Collagen
M&S, as it is known in the UK, is a major British multinational retailer that has recently taken a step backwards in the vegan world, after a customer noticed a beef ingredient in its fruit juice. This disappointing revelation follows news earlier this year that M&S had introduced 50 new vegan dishes into its food range.
Coconut Milk Market Growth Fuelled by the Global rise in Veganism
The global coconut milk market is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 14.61% over the forecast period (2018- 2023), according to the latest research report from Market Research Future (MRFR).
Vegan India Conference July 6th & 7th, 2019
World Vegan Organisation’s 4th International Annual Conference, a Non-Profit Initiative by WVO — Vegan First, is a landmark event in Indian veganism, which will take place on July 6-7, 2019 (Sat & Sun) at The Suryaa, New Delhi and will showcase industry experts, scientific researchers, business owners, doctors and animal advocates from the global vegan movement.
Clara Foods Completes Series B funding Round, Partners with Ingredion to Produce Chicken-Free Eggs
Clara Foods announced last week that it is has completed its Series B funding round, led by global ingredient solutions leader Ingredion, to produce chicken-less eggs. Clara Foods is a major player in engineering, manufacturing and formulating animal-free, animal proteins, as ingredients for the global food and beverage industry.
Waitrose UK Introducing Another New Vegan Line
UK consumers are becoming hungrier for plant-based foods, and Waitrose supermarket is working to keep up with demand. Waitrose forms the food retail division of Britain’s largest employee-owned retailer, the John Lewis Partnership. It is the seventh largest supermarket chain in the UK and is renowned for its quality produce and service.
Beyond Meat IPO Estimated at $1.2Bn, Tyson Sells Shares
Beyond Meat will be the first plant-based meat company to go public next week; 8.75 million shares will be sold at between $19 and $21 per share, with the funds allowing the company to raise $183 million for R & D and expanded manufacturing capabilities. If Beyond Meat stock eventually sells at the top end of this bracket, the company will be valued at $1.2 billion.
Berlin University Opens First Vegan Canteen
Berlin University opens the first purely vegan canteen, which is being built in the capital’s Technical University. The student union announced that the facility would officially begin operations on 23 April. Due to the increasing demand for vegan alternatives in the canteen over the past few years, a 100% plant-based location was called for.
Don Lee Farms Confirms Deli Veggie Burgers and Bites Now Vegan
Costco Wholesale®, the world’s largest retailer of organic foods, will be selling the newly vegan Don Lee Farms burgers and bites. The news comes weeks after Don Lee announced distribution deals with Publix stores and Kroger markets, where the burgers are stocked alongside meat products.
Bearaby Launches New Line in Vegan Bedware
Coinciding with Earth Day; Bearaby, the leading weighted bedding company, launched a weighted blanket collection made entirely from vegan materials and responsibly sourced trees.
Seattle Food Tech Appoints Yahoo’s Peter Cnudde
Seattle Food Tech (SFT), a plant-based food tech start-up in North America, has proudly announced in a press release to vegconomist, that Mr Peter Cnudde, former Yahoo Vice President of Engineering, is now on their board of directors. SFT is an innovative company designing and producing plant-based chicken for the foodservice industry.
Plant-Based Meat Company to Disrupt Chinese Market
Wal-Mart will work with Qishan Foods to create plant-based meat products for the Chinese market – making this one of the most important steps towards mainstreaming plant-based meat in China, that we have heard of in recent months.
Germany: McDonald’s Launches Vegan Bleeding Burger
According to press releases from both McDonald’s and Nestlé, Nestlé’s Garden Gourmet vegan burger, the Incredible Burger, will be launched in German McDonalds from the end of this month. In Scandinavia, McDonald’s had already introduced a vegan burger. About a year ago,the head of McDonald’s Germany had announced that there would be no vegan burger.
Tesco Launches Vegan Sausage Roll
Vegan sausage rolls are currently trending in the UK, and Tesco – the UK’s biggest supermarket chain – has informed Plant Based News that it is launching its ready-to-eat vegan sausage rolls in 624 stores nationwide, from its in-store bakeries, on April 22nd.