Food & Beverage

Vegan food has come a long way over the last decade, with many vegan brands developing into industry leaders in terms of nutritional value, sustainability, and innovation of their products. While the animal-based food business is barely growing in many product categories, the vegan food sector is experiencing strong growth across the board.

Awareness of issues regarding planet and animal welfare is growing and results in an increasing number of adults and children following a vegan lifestyle. Today, the search for vegan alternatives is easier than ever before, whilst revolutionary vegan food news delivered by brands all over the world are reported by the international press.

Revolutionary food transition is shaping the future

A vegan lifestyle creates a link between the need for a healthier diet and the urgent shift to a sustainable food economy. Therefore, all signs point to a meat-free future that no longer exploits animals for food products.

News on food products without animal-derived ingredients are providing encouraging developments and events for a global food transition. Whether it’s vegan food news on airlines that will offer larger selections of vegan dishes, the emergence of dedicated plant-based school kitchens, or the creation of the world’s first vegan sub chain, they all provide clear indications for the direction that human nutrition is going to take.

A growing number of consumers are following vegan diets. Supported by a global vegan movement, including the successful non-profit organization Veganuary and The Vegan Society, many new vegan products entered the shelves of supermarkets and the menus of restaurants.

However, not only the number of vegan products in the store is rising, as searches for homemade vegan recipes are at an all-time high, while many celebrities and influencers are cooking vegan dishes to inspire their followers to go vegan. For vegan companies, it is essential to recognize trends early on and adapt the product range accordingly.

©Eat Just

Trends in vegan news

The diversity and power of innovation in vegan food news from the nutrition sector is expanding every year. Trends to watch for in 2022 include cultured food produced using cellular agriculture, vegan egg alternatives, and innovative seafood products.

In 2022, the new category of cultivated pet food for cats and dogs will make its debut, while the development of nutritious egg alternatives continues to gain momentum. As predicted by the Vegan Society, 2022 will be the year that could finally boost veganism into mainstream.

Most relevant vegan food news

At vegconomist, the first vegan business magazine, you don’t have to search for relevant news, because we report on the latest innovations and developments in our category Food & Beverage several times per week. We receive emails from leading companies and market researchers in the vegan business world and guarantee for first-class vegan food news articles and interviews.

Through our newsletter, thousands of industry insiders and friends of the vegan business community are receiving the most relevant news from the vegan business environment directly into their inbox.

If you don’t want to miss out on the most relevant vegan news, sign up for the vegconomist newsletter here.

MATR Foods Secures €20M From European Investment Bank to Construct First Full-Scale Facility

September 13, 2024

Danish meat alternatives producer MATR Foods has signed a €20 million loan agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB). The funding, which is supported by the European Commission’s InvestEU initiative, will allow MATR to construct its first full-scale production facility and conduct more R&D. This will enable the company to produce over 3,000 tonnes of its product per year. On LinkedIn, MATR claimed it was the first ever meat alternatives company to gain the support of the EIB. Healthy and sustainable MATR uses fungi fermentation to produce meat alternatives made from local crops such as beetroot, potatoes, lupin, and peas. The products are said to require minimal processing and are lower in fat than previous-generation meat alternatives. The fermentation process provides an umami flavor that …

Organisations and brands:

European Investment Bank (EIB)

MATR Foods

Schouten Europe unveils a new product development (NPD) — a plant-based chicken schnitzel — crafted with an innovative fiber technology called NewTextures.

Image courtesy of Schouten Europe

Schouten Europe Debuts New Fiber Technology Replacing Texturates in Plant-Based Chicken Schnitzel

September 12, 2024

Schouten Europe, the first Dutch company to develop meat alternatives and a market leader for decades, unveils a new product development — plant-based chicken schnitzel — crafted with a new fiber technology called NewTextures. The technology, developed in-house after years of R&D, replaces traditional textured proteins with fibers. According to Schouten Europe, these fibers enhance the texture and appeal of products, bringing them closer to the meat experience. The plant-based chicken schnitzel showcases the capabilities of NewTextures, boasting a juicy texture and the white color characteristic of chicken, explains the plant-based expert. Its ingredients include wheat and soy proteins, bamboo fibers, and oils such as rapeseed and sunflower. “Meat substitutes are sometimes prepared incorrectly, which can make them a bit dry. These products retain their …

Organisations and brands:

Schouten Europe

Stroop Club Launches First Vegan, Organic and Palm Oil Free Stroopwafel in Europe

September 12, 2024

Stroop Club, a company founded by Dutch entrepreneurs Chantal and Tako, has launched what it describes as Europe’s first vegan, organic, and palm oil-free stroopwafel. The product, recently introduced in the European market, marks a return to the Netherlands for the company, which began operations in Texas in 2015. Over the past eight years, Stroop Club has expanded its presence across North America, establishing a foothold in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Known for its focus on sustainability, the company prioritizes ethically sourced ingredients, environmentally friendly packaging, and carbon-neutral shipping. Stroopwafels, a traditional Dutch caramel-filled cookie, typically contain butter and eggs. Stroop Club’s version uses plant-based ingredients and eliminates palm oil, which has been associated with environmental and ethical concerns. The company asserts that …

Organisations and brands:

Stroop Club

Study Finds Superior Health Outcomes in Dogs Fed a Plant-Based Diet

September 12, 2024

A new study has examined health outcomes for 2,536 dogs who were fed a conventional meat, raw meat, or plant-based diet for at least a year. Seven indicators of illness were studied, along with 22 specific health disorders. The results show that dogs fed plant-based diets had superior health outcomes to those fed conventional meat for all seven indicators, with the difference described as “substantial and statistically significant”. The plant-based dogs were also more than 50% less likely to develop six specific health disorders — body weight problems, musculoskeletal issues, gastrointestinal issues, swollen anal glands, and dental or oral problems. No health disorder was consistently more prevalent in dogs fed a plant-based diet. Furthermore, the plant-based group was 21% less likely to have multiple veterinary …

Novameat Secures €17.4M in Oversubscribed Round, Launches Improved Shredded Plant-Based Beef

September 12, 2024September 12, 2024

Barcelona’s Novameat, a B2B company specializing in different cuts of plant-based chicken, beef, and turkey, announces it has raised €17.4 million in an oversubscribed Series A round led by Sofinnova Partners and Forbion via its BioEconomy Fund. Existing investors like Unovis Asset Management, Praesidium, and Rubio Impact Ventures also reinvested, betting on the company’s realistic alternatives to meat. The new capital will allow Novameat to expand its product range, including the launch of a new, improved shredded plant-based beef product — Shredded Nova-b*ef — on September 16th. The funds will also help boost commercial activities in new regions and scale production using its proprietary MicroForce technology. Giuseppe Scionti, CEO and founder of Novameat, commented, “This funding marks a significant milestone in our journey, and we …

Organisations and brands:

NovaMeat

MYCO Expands Oyster Mushroom Protein Use for 50/50 Blended Products to Drive Meat Reduction

September 11, 2024

MYCO, a UK company producing plant-based burgers and sausages crafted from its proprietary oyster mushroom protein Hooba, is now offering the ingredient for blended meat products. The Yorkshire company, which claims that Hooba makes the best-tasting 50/50 burgers to date, says the goal of blended products is to facilitate reducing meat consumption with tasty products since current efforts to cut down on meat intake with only plant-based products are insufficient. Co-founder John Shepherd emphasizes Hooba’s unique capability to blend seamlessly with animal protein, allowing manufacturers to create more sustainable, cost-effective products without compromising quality. CEO David Wood comments, “Historically, blended products have fallen short in taste – or fallen apart when cooked. However, we’ve used Hooba to make 50/50 burgers and the results are staggering. Not only …

Organisations and brands:

MYCO

Plant-Ex Ingredients Secures £9M Investment to Drive International Expansion

September 11, 2024

Plant-Ex Ingredients, a UK producer of natural plant-derived flavours, colours, and extracts, has secured £9 million in funding from major investor BGF. The minority investment will help Plant-Ex to expand internationally, with a focus on the US market. The company established a division in Chicago earlier this year, and also has sites in Poland and Turkey. Within the last month, Plant-Ex has opened a new facility in Bristol with twice the capacity of its previous site; this should allow for further growth within the UK and internationally. The company’s products are already available in over 50 countries worldwide. Plant-Ex has also announced the appointment of Susan Barratt as non-executive chair. Barrett is highly experienced in the food and consumer goods industry, having previously held roles …

Organisations and brands:

Plant-Ex

Sperri plant-based meal replacement beverage

Plant-Based Meal Replacement Brand Sperri to Expand Into the US Following New Investment

September 11, 2024

Sperri, a Canadian brand of organic and allergen-free plant-based meal replacement beverages, has announced a new investment. Led by Nàdarra Ventures and supported by Invest Nova Scotia, the funding will allow Sperri to expand into the US and develop new products. Sperri was co-founded by Gregg Curwin, President and CEO of nutrition company Novagevity, and Dr. Mary Lynch, a physician and pain management specialist. Lynch was inspired to develop the beverages after noticing that many of her patients struggled to tolerate existing meal replacements due to ingredients such as dairy, gluten, refined sugars, and soy protein. To come up with a solution, Lynch partnered with Curwin, a seasoned entrepreneur. Their collaboration resulted in the development of Sperri, which is said to be Canada’s first organic …

Organisations and brands:

Sperri

The latest report by Bright Green Partners consultancy, examines the opportunities the European dairy industry has to address a projected rise in production costs by investing in sustainable alternatives to traditional dairy products.

Plant-Based and Precision-Fermented Milk Set for Dominance in Europe by 2040, Report Predicts

September 10, 2024

Plant-based milk could be 10% cheaper than cow’s milk and become a staple product and ingredient by the end of 2030 if products meet taste and nutrition requirements, such as higher protein and micronutrients. Meanwhile, alternative milk made with precision-fermented (animal-free) whey and casein proteins will become increasingly competitive as technical innovations improve and production processes scale up. These are among various estimates from the latest report by alternative protein consultancy Bright Green Partners. This report examines the opportunities the European dairy industry has to address a projected rise in production costs by investing in sustainable alternatives to traditional dairy products. Floor Buitelaar, managing partner of Bright Green Partners, shared, “This report is a must-read for industry leaders who want to understand the future dairy …

Organisations and brands:

Bright Green Partners

Guest Post: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities in Plant-Based Meat Alternatives

September 10, 2024

The meat analogs sector has seen waning growth over the past two years. Even top markets such as North America experienced a 3.3% decline in the growth rate by volume between 2021 and 2023 in the meat and seafood analogs segment. However, the plant-based meat and seafood segment is expected to grow in North America at a CAGR of 2.1% between 2024 and 2028, and the global market for meat and seafood analogs is anticipated to grow in the next few years. Retail sales of plant-based products moderated in 2022 and experienced a drop in 2023 in the US. This can be attributed to price increases for plant-based products that occurred alongside high inflation and tighter consumer budgets, leading to decreased consumer engagement within plant-based categories. …

METRO Germany Becomes “First” Wholesaler to Sell Formo Animal-Free Cream Cheese

September 9, 2024September 9, 2024

METRO Germany is now offering Frischain, an animal-free cream cheese produced by the German startup Formo. The wholesaler claims to be the first in the world to stock the product. Frischain is made using microfermentation, which produces functional proteins that can be processed using traditional dairy cheese production methods. These proteins are derived from koji, a fungus traditionally used in soy sauce, miso, and sake to break down complex molecules and enhance flavours. The resulting cheese alternative is said to be almost indistinguishable from dairy cream cheese. METRO is offering the product on its refrigerated shelves in a 1.5 kilogram catering container. The wholesaler operates 102 stores and 11 delivery depots across Germany, boasting around three million customers. “With Frischhain, we are pleased to be …

Organisations and brands:

Formo

METRO

Maria Angelica Mashali © Alianza Team

veg+

Alianza Team: “We Believe Mirror Tissue Has the Potential to Revolutionize the Plant-Based Meat Market”

September 9, 2024September 9, 2024

Alianza Team specializes in developing and producing innovative lipid solutions for the food, beverage, cosmetics, and nutraceutical industries. They’re dedicated to crafting tailored fats and oils that enhance product quality, functionality, and sustainability. With a team of over 2.000 employees globally, the headquarters are located in Bogotá, Colombia, where Alianza Team runs multiple production facilities and a global presence with operations in Mexico and Chile, reaching the Latin American market, the USA, and a growing presence in Europe. In addition to Colombia, Alianza Team has operations in Chile (two plants) and Mexico, and a growing presence in Europe. We spoke with Maria Angelica Mashali, Chief Growth Officer at Alianza Team, to learn about their latest innovation and business objectives. Could you introduce your newest advancement, …

Organisations and brands:

Alianza Team

Alianza Team Europe

Armored Fresh Files Patent for Plant-Based Grated Cheese, Vegan Parmesan Arriving This Fall

September 7, 2024September 6, 2024

Zero-dairy food tech company Armored Fresh, known for its fermented almond and oat-based cheeses, continues to innovate in manufacturing to create products that rival the taste and texture of traditional dairy cheese. The South Korean company operating in the US announces that it has filed a new patent for a technology that mimics the process of grating traditional hard-aged cheese. Instead of using the standard spray-drying process for grated plant-based cheese, which involves a liquid mixture that is then atomized into particles, the food tech company creates cheese blocks and physically grates them. This method achieves a more authentic taste and texture, explains the company. Rudy Yoo, founder and CEO of Armored Fresh, shares, “With this patented process, Armored Fresh will continue to prove that …

Organisations and brands:

Armored Fresh

Flora Launches “Category First” Plant-Based Smoked Garlic Butter

September 5, 2024

Upfield-owned dairy-free spread brand Flora has expanded its range with the launch of a new plant-based smoked garlic butter. The limited-edition product is claimed to be a category first for butters, spreads, and margarines. According to Flora, it is suitable for making pasta dishes, garlic mushrooms, and more. A Quantis life cycle assessment tool reportedly shows that the garlic butter has a 78% lower climate impact than dairy butter. The product is vegan-friendly and free of common allergens. According to The Grocer, Flora also has plans to launch more savoury plant-based butters next year. The products will all initially be limited editions, with the best-performing potentially becoming permanent additions to the range. “Pushing boundaries” Flora launched its original plant-based butter block in 2020, describing the …

Organisations and brands:

Flora

Upfield

Fry's Family Foods shapeable plant-based mince

Fry’s Launches the “First” Shapeable Plant-Based Mince to Be Available in UK Supermarkets

September 5, 2024

Meat alternatives brand Fry’s Family Foods has announced the launch of a new product, Shape & Sizzle Mince, at Tesco stores UK-wide. The company believes the product is the first ever shapeable plant-based mince to be available in UK supermarkets. It is sold frozen and can be used in a range of dishes, including meatballs, burgers, spaghetti bolognese, and shepherd’s pie. Made from non-GMO soy, the mince is high in fibre, protein-rich, and low in saturated fat. In taste tests involving over 100 consumers, the product was reportedly preferred over other popular plant-based minces, with the taste, texture, and appearance all highly rated. “This innovation has been created specifically to meet strong consumer demand for a great quality, meat-like plant-based mince that can be used …

Organisations and brands:

Fry's Family Foods

Tesco

Bezos Earth Fund Establishes Sustainable Protein Research Hub at National University of Singapore

September 5, 2024September 5, 2024

The Bezos Earth Fund has announced the establishment of the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein at the National University of Singapore (NUS), marking its first initiative of this kind in Asia. The centre, which is backed by a US$30 million grant, will focus on advancing sustainable protein research and the commercial development of alternative proteins in the region. The NUS centre will focus on key areas such as biomass fermentation, which involves using by-products like tofu waste to feed algae and produce high-quality protein. This research initiative forms part of a global network, joining other Bezos Centres for Sustainable Protein at Imperial College London in the UK and North Carolina State University in the US. Professor Tan Eng Chye, president of NUS, explained the importance …

Organisations and brands:

Bezos Earth Fund

child of color, school cafeteria, food security, social justice, impossible foods, Colin Kaepernick, Know Your Rights Camp

New USDA Rules Expand Vegan Options in School Meals

September 4, 2024

USDA’s new school meal standards will give greater access to nutritious foods for vegetarian and vegan children and those with dietary restrictions. This is an important step, as research indicates that school meals are American schoolchildren’s most important food source. The new rules, which took effect on July 1, 2024, were released by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. They aim to improve the nutritional quality of school meals and other USDA Child Nutrition Programs. Beans, peas, and lentils Under the new rules, schools can combine grains, meats, and meat alternatives as meal components. Beans, peas, and lentils can replace meat at lunch, and cafeterias can offer dishes such as black bean burgers stir-fried with tofu, falafel …

Organisations and brands:

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Thailand Releases Policy Roadmap to Become Global Hub for Plant-Based Proteins

September 4, 2024

Thailand’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) at the Ministry of Commerce has developed a roadmap to transform the country into a hub for the global plant-based market. The former Ministry of Commerce announced last month that Thailand aims to become a world leader in producing high-protein plant-based ingredients, tapping into the worldwide trend of plant-based diets. The newly appointed Minister, Pichai Naripthaphani, will continue his predecessor’s plans to make the country a leader and accelerate future food exports, including plant proteins such as wheat, sorghum, barley, and corn. From agricultural products to raw materials to food TPSO states that the country must advance in various areas to become a hub. Based on a study of the country’s plant-based food industry to assess its potential, opportunities, …

Organisations and brands:

Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO)

Dairylea to Launch Plant-Based Dunkers in the UK

September 4, 2024

Cheese brand Dairylea, produced by Mondelēz International, is set to launch a plant-based version of its popular Dunkers in the UK. The original product consists of crispy tubes packaged with a cheese dip, and is a popular choice for children’s lunchboxes. In the new vegan version, the tubes appear to be the same but the cheese-style dip is made from ingredients such as coconut oil and oat flour. The news was shared by the Instagram account Vegan Food UK, which posted a picture of the product and claimed that it would launch soon. It is unclear when and where the plant-based Dunkers will be available, but they are already listed on the website of supermarket chain Morrisons. However, the product is currently marked as out …

Organisations and brands:

Dairylea

Mondelez

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The vegconomist-newsletter
information for decision-makers