Plant Based Foods Association

© Plant Based Foods Association

Politics & Law

PBFA Challenges FAIR Labels Act, Announces Retail Advisory Council

In a direct response to the introduction of the Fair and Accurate Ingredient Representation on Labels Act of 2024 (FAIR Labels Act) to US Congress earlier this month, the Plant-Based Foods Association (PBFA) is voicing its opposition, arguing that the act will unfairly target the growing plant-based food industry. This proposed legislation, which is backed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), seeks to mandate that plant-based and lab-grown meat products be labeled as “imitation,” a move aimed at eliminating what supporters call “deceptive labeling practices.” In defense of the act, NCBA President Todd Wilkinson stated in a press release, “We’re not afraid of a little competition, but it is unfair for lab-grown or plant-based fake meat products to trade on beef’s good name.”  Disappointment …

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A tray with vegan steak skewers

© Chunk Foods

Studies & Numbers

Report: US Purchasers of Plant-Based Meat Spend $400 More and Visit Restaurants 30X More Than Average Consumer

Among several key highlights, a new GFI report on the performance of plant-based proteins in US foodservice in 2022 shows that consumers who purchase plant-based meat spend approximately $400 more than the average consumer and make over 30 more visits to cafes and restaurants.  According to the report, these engaged foodservice customers are vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians, and meat-eaters looking to replicate the animal-meat experience with sustainable options. The report says that younger (18-24) male and Black, Hispanic, and Asian consumers are more likely to purchase plant-based meat in restaurants than the average consumer, mirroring customer segmentation trends in retail. Besides plant-based meat; plant-based chicken, pork, and seafood sales have experienced significant growth since 2019 and continue to capture larger shares of the overall plant-based protein …

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Oshi plant-based whole cut salmon

Oshi © Noam Preisman

Studies & Numbers

PBFA Publishes State of the Marketplace Retail Report Demonstrating “Solid Resilience” of Plant-Based Categories

The most recent US retail sales data by the Plant-Based Foods Association (PBFA) shows that the plant-based food industry is primarily driven by the increasing demand for plant-based meat and milk products. However, other categories make up 47% of the total plant-based sales, indicating that consumer interest extends beyond just alternatives for meat and milk and is actively contributing to the industry’s overall growth. According to the PBFA, plant-based food dollar sales increased by 6.6% to reach $8 billion in 2022, while animal-based and total food and beverage sales decreased by 3%. These figures show that the plant-based industry has remained strong even during the latest economic crisis. Moreover, the PBFA highlights that over the past three years, plant-based foods have experienced rapid expansion, with a compound …

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Quorn_Hot_Honey_BBQ_Wings

© Quorn

Company News

Quorn Joins PBFA UK to Fight Plant-Based Labelling Restrictions

Meat alternatives brand Quorn has become a member of the UK’s Plant-Based Food Alliance (PBFA), joining other players such as Alpro, Oatly, and Upfield. It comes as the PBFA works to prevent the adoption of new draft trading standards guidance, which would prevent plant-based products from using dairy-like descriptor terms such as “m*lk”, “alternative to cheese”, or “yogurt-style”. “We have been fighting the proposed guidance to restrict plant-based labelling for over a year now and we will continue to do so, because we believe that the Government should be doing all it can to promote the sector rather than hinder it,” said Marisa Heath, PBFA CEO. Food security Quorn was originally founded to provide food security; scientists recognised as far back as the 1960s that …

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Hemp-based meat burger with cheese

© Planet Based Foods

Studies & Numbers

70% of US Population is Now Consuming Plant-Based Foods

Despite inflation, US consumer demand for plant-based foods remained strong in 2022, according to a newly released report, The Plant Based Foods State of the Marketplace. The report found the number of Americans consuming plant-based foods increased to 70%, while several categories, including plant-based creamers and eggs, saw markedly strong growth last year.  Compiled by the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) and GFI using data from SPINS, the report shows that plant-based food dollar sales grew 6.6% in 2022 to $8 billion. According to PBFA, consumer research demonstrates that, despite challenges of scaling, lack of subsidies, and shrinking retail space, US demand for plant-based foods remains strong and is growing. Research reveals 70% of the total US population is consuming plant-based foods, an increase from …

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Silk Launches NextMilk Dairy Lovers

©Silk

Politics & Law

FDA’s Draft Guidance on Plant-Based Milk Labelling: Experts Respond

Yesterday, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released draft guidance on plant-based milk labelling. The guidance, which is not legally binding, affirms that plant-based products can use the word “milk” on their packaging. The decision has been made based on FDA research which found that consumers are not confused by this usage, with most preferring the term “milk” over others such as “drink” or “beverage”. However, the FDA notes that plant-based milks do not contain the same balance of nutrients as cows’ milk, and suggests that manufacturers should make this clear on packaging with statements such as “50% more calcium than milk” or “Contains a lower amount of potassium than milk”. The document has already proven controversial; some commenters have welcomed the recognition that …

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Kroger/ PFBA Plant-Based Meat in Store

©Plant-Based Foods Association

Society

New PBFI/Kroger Report Shows Health Remains Top Purchase Driver for Plant-Based Foods

A new report by the Plant-Based Foods Institute and Kroger shows health concerns remain US consumers’ top motivator for purchasing plant-based products. Among other insights, the report also reveals sales of plant-based foods are beginning to slowly displace the purchase of animal products. According to survey data, 54% of consumers said health is their primary reason for purchasing plant-based products, while 49% believe plant-based alternatives are healthier, and 39% like the taste or flavor of plant-based foods. Just over one quarter, or 26%, cited animal welfare as their top motivation, while 23% named environmental concerns.  “What is unique about this research, in terms of health, is that we learned specifically that consumers associate chronic illness with animal-based foods versus simply improving their overall health,” Julie …

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PBFA Logo

©Plant Based Foods Association

Politics & Law

PBFA Launches New Institute to Drive Transition to Plant-Based Food System

The Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) announces the launch of a sister non-profit, The Plant Based Foods Institute (PBFI.) Led by food systems experts and industry pioneers, the Institute aims to drive transition to a plant-based food system by advancing key business and policy initiatives.  While the PBFA works to expand access to plant-based foods in the marketplace, PBFI’s goal is to cultivate solutions that shift government policies, agricultural practices, and demand toward a regenerative plant-based food system. To accomplish this, the organization will work with stakeholders to identify and implement effective strategies and approaches. Its board members include: Rachel Dreskin, CEO, PBFI and PBFA Jaime Athos, CEO, The Tofurky Company Matt Dunaj, CFO & VP of Operations, Follow Your Heart Tyler Whitely, Director, Transfarmation …

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Shaunagh_Duncan, Oatly UK

Shaunagh Duncan, Head of Sustainability ©Oatly UK

Interviews

Oatly: “It is Absolutely Achievable for the UK to Significantly Reduce its Consumption of Animal Products”

Shaunagh Duncan, Head of Sustainability at Oatly UK and Marisa Heath, Chief Executive, Plant-Based Food Alliance UK, spent some time discussing their insights into sustainability, the UK’s food strategy, the school milk campaign, and driving the systemic shift towards plant-based in order to avoid climate disaster. What is your opinion on the recent UK government’s food strategy? Shaunagh Duncan: It is incredibly disappointing that the Government’s food strategy lacked any mention of plant-based products and made no recommendations around the reduction of dairy and meat consumption. We had hoped to hear new plans for all school children to be given access to a vegan school meal option, but this was also not included.  Food production is responsible for a third of global GHG emissions – …

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meati-steak-filet on chopping board

©Meati

Studies & Numbers

US Plant-Based Sales Smash $7.4Bn as Conventional Dairy & Egg Industries Decline

Despite the economic hardships of the global pandemic, supply chain issues, and inflation, new data has revealed the unstoppable growth of the plant-based industry in the US. Retail sales of plant-based foods grew 6.2% in 2021 bringing the total plant-based market value to a record high of $7.4 billion. According to market research by the Plant Based Foods Association, The Good Food Institute, and SPINS, plant-based food retail sales grew three times faster than total food retail sales, with most plant-based categories outpacing their conventional counterparts. Innovation and variety in plant-based meat, egg, and dairy alternatives drive growth as consumers continue to turn to vegan products.  Plant-based dairy According to the report, plant-based milk dollar sales grew 4% to reach $2.6 billion, while conventional dairy …

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Marisa Heath - PBFA UK

CEO Marisa Heath ©Plant Based Food Alliance UK

Business Insiders

Marisa Heath, CEO of Plant-based Food Alliance UK

The Plant-based Food Alliance UK was created to act as a voice for Britain’s growing plant-based food and drink sector. Founded by Oatly, Alpro, The Vegan Society, Upfield and ProVeg UK, we are a coalition of civil society groups and businesses with a collective aim of making the UK a global leader in plant-based food and drink. Food systems account for one-third of greenhouse gas emissions globally and plant-based foods are a hugely impactful way of ensuring our food choices are sustainable in the future. “A shift towards plant-based will be vital in achieving the Government’s net zero target by 2050” A shift towards plant-based will be vital in achieving the Government’s net zero target by 2050. We are seeing people introducing more plant-based meals …

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© Impossible Foods

Studies & Numbers

Growth in US Sales of Plant-Based Products is Surpassing Growth in Animal Products at a Staggering Rate

New data released today by the Plant Based Foods Association and The Good Food Institute reveals that US sales of plant-based meat, dairy, and eggs have outpaced sales of animal products for the third year running, with over 40% consuming non-dairy milk and one in six US households consuming plant-based meat. Plant-based cheese grew by 42% – almost twice the rate of dairy cheese, while plant-based eggs grew 168%, almost 10 times the rate of poultry eggs.

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Plant Based Foods Association

Rachel Dreskin ©PBFA

Company News

Rachel Dreskin Announced as New CEO of PBFA

The Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) has announced that Rachel Dreskin, previously Executive Director of Compassion in World Farming US, will be joining the association as its new Chief Executive Officer. A graduate of Northeastern University’s School of Business with a dual focus in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, Rachel has worked extensively with Fortune 500 companies to incorporate and strengthen animal welfare within corporate sustainability programs. Rachel also serves as board member of Global Animal Partnership and the Regenerative Organic Alliance, has guest lectured at top US universities like Stanford, University of California, Santa Cruz and University of Delaware. “I am so excited to be sharing the news of PBFA’s CEO hire with our members, collaborators, and friends. In the time that I’ve spent with her …

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Nicole Sopko PBFA

Nicole Sopko ©PBFA

Interviews

Nicole Sopko: “We Continue to Fight for a Fair and Competitive Regulatory Environment That Allows the Plant-Based Foods Industry to Thrive”

Nicole Sopko, Vice President of Upton’s Naturals was last month elected president of the board of directors at the Plant-Based Foods Association (PBFA). As a founding board member of the organization, she is committed to fostering growth and collaboration within the industry and working to further establish PBFA as a leading voice of the plant-based food industry.

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Nicole Sopko PBFA

Nicole Sopko ©PBFA

Company News

Nicole Sopko of Upton’s Naturals Elected President of PBFA Board of Directors

Nicole Sopko, Vice President of Upton’s Naturals and an ethical vegan for 20+ years, has been elected president of the board of directors at the Plant-Based Foods Association (PBFA). Proud to be a founding board member of the organization, she is committed to fostering growth and collaboration within the industry and working to further establish PBFA as a leading voice of the plant-based food industry.

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The Upton's Naturals Founders

© Uptons Naturals

Society

The Oklahoma Meat Consumer Protection Act is “Meat Lobby’s Response to the Increased Consumer Demand for Plant-Based Options”

The Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) and one of its members Upton’s Naturals, an independent maker of plant-based foods based in Chicago, has joined forces with The Institute for Justice to file a federal lawsuit challenging a new Oklahoma food labeling law as a violation of the First Amendment.

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Impossible Wegmans

Impossible Foods © Wegmans

Food & Beverage

The Results are in: It’s Time For Retailers to Stock Vegan Meat Products in the Meat Case

Following our in-depth look into a protein aisle to encompass both meat and plant protein together in the supermarket; the PBFA has stated following an intensive trial that “it is important for retailers to place plant-based meat where shoppers expect to find it: in the meat department.”

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Meatier Beyond Burger

©Beyond Meat

Market & Trends

Plant-Based Food Sales in USA have Accelerated Twice as Fast as Animal Meat Sales During Pandemic

A report from The Plant-Based Foods Association (PBFA) and SPINS provides data for the US which evidences the strength of the plant-based food market. An example summarised is that since the initial spikes caused by panic buying, plant-based meat sales have maintained continued growth whilst animal meat sales continue to decline.

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