Studies & Numbers

Food tech accelerator Eatable Adventures has released a new report on the Future of Dairy

© Image courtesy of Eatable Adventures

New Report “The Future of Dairy” Advocates for Disruptive Technologies & Partnerships to Address Industry Challenges

A new report on the future of dairy released by the food tech accelerator Eatable Adventures calls for industry leaders to adopt forward-thinking practices and integrate plant-based, fermented, and cell-based dairy innovations for better sustainability and efficiency. The report highlights three main areas to transform the industry: moving toward more sustainable practices, developing and adopting hybrid products (combining traditional and alternative ingredients), and forming strategic innovation partnerships to drive these changes successfully. Scaling emerging technologies However, the study, which compiles insights from medium to large dairy companies across Europe, Latin America, and Asia, has found that the industry is divided on adopting new technologies. Industry leaders pointed out that competition presents a primary challenge to adopting these technologies within the traditional dairy sector and from …

more

Organisations and brands:

© Omni

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

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 …

more

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.

© Bright Green Partners

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

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 …

more

Organisations and brands:

Ingredients for plant based meat over a yellow background

© Aleksandra - Stock.adobe. com

EU Urged to Develop Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods by 2026

A new report on the future of farming, presented to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last week, urges the EU to support a plan for plant-based foods, asks for increased funding for nature and climate-friendly farming, and calls for a change in farm subsidies. The report results from seven months of negotiations by a forum of 30 organizations, including green NGOs, consumer groups, farmers’ unions, and industry actors, to agree on the future of Europe’s agri-food sector. Called “Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture,” the forum was set by von der Leyen in January amid farmer protests and climate warnings. Action plan for plant-based foods The report urges the European Commission to develop, by 2026, an “EU Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods” to …

more

AI Vegan nutrition plans lack advice on essential nutrients like vitamin B12, say German researchers.

© ParinPIX-stock.adobe.com

German Researchers Uncover Flaws in Vegan Diet Plans by ChatGPT and Gemini

Researchers at the University of Hohenheim and the Max Rubner Institute conducted a study on the suitability of AI chatbots ChatGPT and Gemini (previously Bard) to create meal plans that meet the daily intakes of macro- and micronutrients for different dietary patterns: omnivorous, vegetarian, and vegan. Although the chatbots’ meal plans generally met most dietary reference intakes (DRI), the study found that vegan diet plans “concerningly” lacked advice on essential nutrients like vitamin B12, which is critical for nerve function, blood formation, and neurological processes. The authors explain that ChatGPT suggested using vitamin B12 supplements for vegan diets in five out of 18 instances. Meanwhile, Gemini never recommended them and erroneously included milk products in vegan plans. Sam Tucker, the developer of VEG3, a vegan and animal …

more

Heura Fish in wrap

Image courtesy of Heura

Catalonia’s Alternative Protein Sector on the Rise with €269 Million in Revenue

A recent report on the alternative protein sector in Catalonia by the public agency Catalonia Trade & Investment reveals that the industry comprises 103 companies employing nearly 1,000 people and collectively generating €269 million in revenue. With a global market projected to reach $1 trillion by 2040, the report says Catalonia is well-placed to capitalize on this immense opportunity with its community of food innovators, from small startups to established meat and dairy companies to ingredient suppliers. The authors note that despite recent economic uncertainties, the outlook for the plant-based sector remains positive due to sustained consumer demand, growth in emerging markets, and innovative product improvements. “In 2023, the market revenue generated by meat substitutes (plant-based meat) in the European Union (EU-27) amounted to about US$ 1.96 …

more

Organisations and brands:

A man holding multiple NotMilk products

© NotCo

Word-of-Mouth is Key Channel in Success of Plant-Based Milks, Finds Study

Research on US consumer preferences for plant-based milk, conducted by New Zealand’s Lincoln University, has found that plant-based milk enthusiasts actively promote these alternatives through word-of-mouth, making them valuable allies in marketing. The study — focused on US consumers, due to the country’s extensive plant-based milk market — was conducted by Dr. Meike Rombach, Dr. Lei Cong, and Associate Professor David Dean and published in Beverages, to provide a framework for marketers to promote plant-based milk more effectively. Through a survey, the researchers measured how factors such as animal welfare, environmental concerns, health consciousness, and personal dietary preferences influenced consumers’ willingness to try plant-based milk and their propensity to share their views through word-of-mouth, particularly on social media. “Willingness to try is a low-commitment response …

more

Organisations and brands:

believer meats' cultivated chicken dish

© BELIEVER Meats

New Study On Morals Reveals Purity Trumps Harm in Attitudes Toward Cultivated Meat

A new study by psychology researchers from the UK and Australia surveyed 1,861 participants from the United States and Germany to explore how moral values relate to attitudes toward cultured meat. The authors explain that cultivated meat promotes less animal and environmental harm, aligning with the “harm/care” dimension of the Moral Foundations Theory, which emphasizes concern for the suffering of others and the desire to care for and protect people from harm. However, after three surveys, the researchers found that the “harm” dimension was unexpectedly weak in predicting favorable attitudes despite “harm” being a significant narrative in media and industry. The five moral foundations For the surveys, the researchers used the five moral foundations — harm, purity, fairness, loyalty, and authority — to predict attitudes …

more

A new study about masculinity and veganism found that using masculine language to describe vegan dishes sparked men's interest in this type of food.

© Jacob Lund - stock.adobe.com

University Canteen Sees Sustained Drop in Meat Consumption Weeks After Meat-Free Month

In May, the Studierendenwerk (student’s office) at Germany’s University of Bonn declared a meat-free month in its Hofgarten canteen. Up to eight weeks after the experiment ended, researchers saw a surprising result — sales of main meal components containing meat remained 7-12% lower than they were before the meat-free month. According to a working paper published by the researchers, many students and staff members were pleasantly surprised by the meat-free dishes, discovering new options that they enjoyed. Consequently, they opted to order these meals again in the following weeks, indicating that even a short-term intervention can lead to significant behaviour change. Around half of people surveyed following the experiment said they would be happy to have one meat-free month per year, while 75% were in …

more

Organisations and brands:

Henry and Ian of BOSH

© BOSH!

Research Finds That Almost Half the UK Plant-Based Population is Male

Research carried out by plant-based chef duo BOSH! has found that almost half the UK plant-based population (49%) is male. Based on a survey of 2,400 people, the results are somewhat surprising, since women have historically been more likely to choose a meat-free diet. Research published by the Vegan Society last year found that men face social pressure to conform to masculine expectations, including eating meat. Many men said that fears of experiencing stigma had prevented them from choosing a vegan diet. Furthermore, a recent study by researchers at the University of Zurich found that gender differences in meat consumption are more significant in countries with higher levels of gender equality and social and economic development. The researchers theorised that people in these countries have …

more

Organisations and brands:

A bowl with algae oil

© Checkerspot

Study Finds Switching From Animal Fats to Plant-based Fats Reduces Risk of Disease

Switching from a diet high in saturated animal fats to a diet rich in plant-based unsaturated fats influences the fat composition in the blood. This in turn influences the long-term risk of disease, finds a recent study. The study, published in Nature Medicine, conducted by a team of researchers from the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DIfE), Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden and several other universities, shows that it is possible to accurately measure diet-related fat changes in the blood. These can then be directly linked to the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. “Our study confirms with even greater certainty than before the health benefits of a diet with a high proportion of unsaturated vegetable fats, such as those …

more

Cultivated pork sausages

Image courtesy of Meatable

Survey Finds EU Consumers Support Safe Cultivated Meat, Want the Freedom to Choose

A new survey on attitudes toward cultivated meat in Europe commissioned by the Good Food Institute Europe reveals that people across the continent believe consumers should be able to decide whether to eat or not cultivated meat after EU regulators deem it safe for consumption. The survey carried out by YouGov and touted as one of the largest “of its kind” ever conducted, polled over 16,000 consumers across 15 European countries: Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and Sweden. Meanwhile, a separate poll focused on Austrian and German consumers. The findings show that participants in 13 countries favour its introduction into the market. For example, 69% in Portugal, 65% in Germany, 63% in both Austria (where agriculture …

more

Organisations and brands:

Lidl Belgium drops prices of plant-based protein products

© Lidl Belgium

Report: Which European Supermarket Chains Will Be the First to Meet Planetary Health Goals?

Global environmental advocacy organisation Madre Brava has assessed the climate and protein transition ambitions of Europe’s 15 largest supermarket chains to determine which will be the first to meet human and planetary health goals. The report finds that all the retailers have set targets to reduce the emissions of their food products, or plan to do so by the end of the year. However, Ahold Delhaize and Lidl currently take the lead. Lidl has committed to increasing plant-based protein sales and decreasing meat and dairy sales in six European countries — Austria, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. The retailer will also reportedly improve the ratio of plant to animal proteins sold in all 31 countries where it operates. Meanwhile, Ahold Delhaize told Madre …

more

Organisations and brands:

planet boiling in hot water of a pan on the fire of a gas stove conceptual illustration of global warming temperature increase over heating of the world

©Emile-stock.adobe.com

BCG Report Finds a 50% Market Share of Alternative Proteins Equivalent to Removing Half of All Gas-Fueled Cars

A new report published today by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), The Good Food Institute (GFI), and Synthesis Capital, titled What the Alternative Protein Industry Can Learn from EV Companies, states that if alternative proteins reached half of the market share of the global protein market, it would reduce agriculture and land use greenhouse gas emissions by almost a third by 2050. This shift would mitigate 5 gigatons of CO2 equivalents annually, the equivalent of removing 50% of gas-fueled cars from the road. “The parallels between the EV and alternative protein industries are striking. Both are disruptive technologies taking on incumbents whose products are rooted in consumer culture and identity. Both are responsible for large slices of global GHG emissions (passenger road transportation for 10%; animal …

more

Organisations and brands:

Poultry meat on conveyor belt

© Zblaster-stock.adobe.com

UK Government Reports First Decrease in Meat Production in Over a Decade

The UK government’s annual Agriculture in the United Kingdom report has found that meat production declined by 3.7% last year, marking the first decrease in total production in over a decade. Over 70% of this decline was due to a significant 11% reduction in home-fed pig production. However, total meat production is still 13% higher than a decade ago at 4.1 million tonnes. Additionally, the total value of production increased by 5.8% to £10.9 billion last year, following price rises for cattle, pigs, and poultry. Government figures published last October also show that per capita meat consumption fell by 14% between 2012 and 2022, reaching the lowest level since records began in the 1970s. This was true across all types of meat, but particularly notable …

more

Organisations and brands:

Close up of woman biting into Planted chicken

© Planted

EU Survey Reveals Color, Shape, & Texture of Plant-Based Fermented Foods are Paramount for Consumers

The first wave of consumer surveys from the EU-funded HealthFerm project has pinpointed the sensory preferences of consumers for fermented plant-based alternatives such as yogurt, drinkable yogurt, chicken, and protein-enriched bread. The survey, which reached 7,800 EU consumers in eight EU Countries and Switzerland, delves into European consumer preferences and attitudes towards plant-based fermented foods. It provides food innovators with guidance for developing plant-based fermented alternatives that align with consumers’ expectations. Creamy, sweet, and uniform. Consumers favor plant-based fermented yogurt and drinkable yogurt that is white, creamy, sweet, and uniform. The survey shows a clear preference for these products to mimic the characteristics of dairy-based yogurts, highlighting the importance of familiar textures and flavors. For both fermented plant-based drinkable yogurt and regular yogurt, “liquid,” “white …

more

Organisations and brands:

Young couple eating burger outdoors, APA

Image courtesy of APA

Study: What Influences Gen Z Consumers to Adopt Plant-Based Eating Patterns?

A study published in the journal Foods has examined the factors that affect the willingness of Gen Z consumers to adopt plant-based diets. The research questioned over 500 university students in Greece, India, and the UK. Most Greek and British students were responsible for their own meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking, whereas Indian students tended to live with relatives and were less likely to prepare their own meals. Almost half of Indian students (46.5%) were receptive to the idea of shifting to a plant-based diet, possibly due to the country’s strong tradition of vegetarianism. However, just 14.4% of Greeks and 19.6% of Brits were open to the idea. Taste and nutrition 39.4% of respondents thought that plant-based products were too expensive, while 32.8% believed …

more

microbial protein Formo cheese sandwich

© Formo

Study Finds Consumers Less Likely to Buy Fermented Plant-Based Foods When CHEAPER Than Animal Counterparts

A study conducted by the EU-funded HealthFerm project has come to a surprising conclusion — making fermented plant-based foods cheaper than animal products could actually make consumers less likely to buy them. Study participants preferred fermented meat and dairy alternatives to be priced at parity with their animal-based counterparts, likely due to the perception that cheaper products are of lower quality. For example, 52.8% of respondents said they would buy a fermented milk alternative that was priced the same as dairy milk, but only 46.3% would buy a product that was cheaper than dairy. Just 9.6% would be willing to pay more for a plant-based alternative. The same pattern was observed for meat alternatives, though there was only a 1.2% difference in willingness to purchase …

more

Organisations and brands:

Valsoia Super Burger

© Valsoia

Majority of Italians Support Using ‘Meaty’ Terms in Plant-Based Products Labels

A new survey by YouGov on plant-based product labels in Italy, commissioned by the Good Food Institute Europe, reveals that 68% of Italian consumers believe companies should be able to use “meaty” terms freely for plant-based products. At the same time, 69% believe that terms like ‘hamburger’ and ‘milk’ are appropriate for describing plant-based products, and only 21% feel these terms should be restricted because they could confuse consumers. Francesca Gallelli, Public Affairs Consultant at the Good Food Institute Europe, shared, “Our survey confirms that consumers understand terms like plant-based sausage and ham and that the ban on meat-sounding terms does not introduce any necessary protections; on the contrary, it is bound to create confusion, complicating access to products that play a key role in diversifying …

more

Organisations and brands:

Fresh green broccoli on orange background

©New Africa-stock.adobe.com

Study Finds Plant Nitrates Linked to Lower Mortality Risk, Raises Concerns Over Animal Sources

New research from Edith Cowan University (ECU), Australia, led by Dr. Nicola Bondonno, has found that nitrate from plants can lower the risk of death from various causes, including heart disease and cancer. On the other hand, nitrates from animal products and processed meats can lead to a higher mortality risk. Nitrate and nitrite are found in food and drink; their sources could be plants, processed meats (added as additives), drinking water, or animal products, where they naturally occur, and their consumption impacts human health in various ways. The source matters To shed light on the topic, the study researched whether the health outcomes associated with nitrate and nitrite consumption differed depending on the source of these compounds. After examining 52,247 participants from the Danish …

more

Organisations and brands:

load more