German style sausages

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Health

Report: Plant-Based Meat & Milk Have Similar or Better Nutritional Profiles Than Animal Products

Research conducted by ProVeg International in 11 countries has found that plant-based meat alternatives have a better overall nutritional profile than conventional meat, while milk alternatives have similar nutritional properties to cow’s milk. The survey, the results of which have been compiled in a report, evaluated 422 meat alternatives and 251 milk alternatives in Belgium, Czechia, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Poland, South Africa, Spain, the UK, and the US. Scoring was based on internationally recognized guidelines — the WHO Nutrients Profile model (NPM), the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, and the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA’s) nutrition claim legislation. Meat alternatives were found to have less saturated fat and significantly more fibre than animal meat, while milk alternatives contained less total fat and less saturated fat …

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ProVeg South Africa has released the third annual edition of the Plant-Based-Friendly Fast-Food Franchise Ranking report, coinciding with World Vegan Month, to celebrate the global rise of veganism and, particularly in the country.

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Market & Trends

South Africa’s Fast-Food Chains Expand Plant-Based Menus, Simply Asia Tops ProVeg’s Rankings

ProVeg South Africa has released the third annual edition of the Plant-Based-Friendly Fast-Food Franchise Ranking report, coinciding with World Vegan Month, to celebrate the rise of veganism in the country and globally. The new analysis shows ongoing interest and growth in plant-based offerings among South African quick-service restaurants (QSRs). A key finding is that plant-based menu options, including mains, sides, and desserts, have expanded compared to the previous two years, reflecting gastronomic innovations and growing consumer demand. The surge in plant-based options in food chains aligns with the overall growth of the national fast-food industry, which has seen a 41% increase in turnover from takeaways and fast-food outlets compared to 2019. According to the non-profit, QSRs are feeding more households country-wide than ever before, and more …

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The European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) has released a study that highlights Europe's animal-based protein balance and argues for the growing interest in alternative proteins. 

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Politics & Law

New EU Agri Commissioner Urged to Prioritise Proposed Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods

ProVeg International has called on the EU Commissioner-designate for Agriculture and Food, Luxembourg’s Christophe Hansen, to prioritise the proposed EU Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods during his term in office. Hansen is set to take over from Poland’s Janusz Wojciechowski if he is confirmed on November 27. Earlier this week, he was interviewed by MEPs about the Action Plan concept, which was presented to the European Commission in September in a report titled Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture. The report was the result of seven months of negotiations by organisations including green NGOs, consumer groups, farmers’ unions, and industry actors. It calls for a reduction in the consumption of animal-based proteins and support to make plant-based options more affordable and accessible. Additionally, …

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Opportunities in hybrid food products

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Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Opportunities in Hybrid Food Products

Although the hybrid food sector is still in its early stages, products that blend plant-based ingredients with precision-fermented or cultivated components hold great promise for transforming the food industry. By offering consumers a combination of plant-based and cellular agriculture options, hybrid products can meet the growing demand for food that is healthier, more sustainable, ethical, and delicious. In its latest New Food Hub article, ProVeg International explores opportunities in the hybrid foods sector, and makes recommendations for businesses in this growing space. A complementary strategy Consumer preferences in food are shifting, with more individuals seeking options that align with their health, sustainability, and ethical values. Consequently, a growing number of people are adopting a more plant-based diet. At the same time, innovators worldwide are developing …

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ProVeg New Food Conference

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Fairs & Events

Building a Sustainable Protein Future: Insights From the New Food Conference 2024

As global populations rise and protein demand increases, the food industry must innovate to ensure a sustainable future. At ProVeg International’s 2024 New Food Conference, industry leaders explored the evolving role of alternative proteins in addressing these challenges. Among the many insights shared, a handful stood out as pivotal for food industry stakeholders committed to fostering a more sustainable food system. So what do we need to do? Let’s look at two of the most important. Steps for a sustainable food industry Support farmers in the protein transition Farmers are at the heart of the shift from animal-based to plant-based and alternative proteins, but they need substantial support to make this transition successful. Education on growing new protein crops, providing fair, long-term contracts, and building …

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Why brand salience matters in the plant-based market

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Marketing & Media

Why Brand Salience Matters in the Plant-Based Market

Brand salience is crucial for success in today’s competitive plant-based food market. But what does this term mean and how can we build it? Understanding brand salience In essence, brand salience is about how noticeable or prominent a brand is in the minds of consumers. According to marketing expert Byron Sharp, author of How Brands Grow, brand salience is a key driver of consumer choice. While brand awareness indicates familiarity, salience takes it a step further, ensuring that your brand is the one consumers think of first when making a buying decision. Why salience matters in the plant-based market The plant-based market is expanding rapidly, with more brands and products entering the space every day. To stay competitive, plant-based brands must go beyond simple awareness …

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ProVeg fermentation technology for new meat

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Fermentation

Fermentation Technology for New Meat

Fermentation has been used in food production and preservation for thousands of years. Today, fermentation is used in the context of meat alternatives in more advanced ways, such as precision fermentation. This cutting-edge method uses microbial hosts like bacteria or yeast to produce specific proteins and other ingredients to create meat alternatives. In its latest New Food Hub article, ProVeg International dives into the future of the fermentation-enabled meat sector, sharing actionable insights for businesses and investors. For companies, the benefits of investment in this space are manifold and early investments in this technology could result in substantial returns. Fermentation technology enables the production of proteins with a reduced environmental footprint but also offers significant opportunities for product customisation. Companies can tailor the nutritional content, …

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ProVeg Food Innovation Challenge

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Fairs & Events

ProVeg Launches 2024 Food Innovation Challenge for Students Across Asia

This week, ProVeg is launching its 2024 Food Innovation Challenge, which invites students across Asia to develop a new plant-based food product for the Asia-Pacific market. Open to both undergraduate and graduate students, this year’s competition asks students to use ingredients from their home countries to develop innovative retail or food service products. Winners will receive a share of the $10,000 prize money, and may be offered career opportunities with the contest’s partner companies. These include Beyond Meat, CJ Foods, CPF, DaChan, Mars, Monde Nissin, Thai Union, and Unilever. The deadline for submitting ideas is November 20, but teams that submit before October 20 will also have the chance to present their ideas at the UN’s climate conference, COP29. This takes place in Azerbaijan in …

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two people wearing "go vegan" t-shirts at Oslo vegetarfestival

Oslo vegetarfestival 2023, Photo Credit: Oslo Vegetarfestival

Charity & Campaigns

Help Spread the Plant-Based Message in Norway!

The Oslo Vegetarfestival is the largest plant-based event in central Oslo and has been running every year for over a decade. To further increase its impact, the organisation works with other festival and event organisers in the country to make plant-based food offerings available at their events. Oslo Vegetarfestival has also started hosting the Future Foods conference, Norway’s go-to event for the plant-based food industry, to foster innovation and collaboration among all stakeholders. It’s the only event of its kind in the country, made possible with the help of ProVeg Grants. Since launching in 2019, ProVeg Grants has provided more than 900 grants to organisations and individuals in over 90 countries working to change the global food system. Your donation to ProVeg Grants will help …

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Headshot of Lea Stockmeier, Project Director NFC and Senior International Event Manager

Lea Stockmeier, Project Director NFC and Senior International Event Manager © ProVeg

Interviews

ProVeg: “At This Year’s New Food Conference, We’re Exploring Everything From Consumer Preferences to the Role of Legacy Dairy Companies in the Protein Transition”

The New Food Conference (NFC) stands as one of Europe’s top events in the food industry, bringing together international food experts, scientists, innovative startups, retailers, and policymakers. The conference focuses on the latest advancements in the alternative protein sector, delving into the future of food through high-profile talks, networking opportunities, and live product tastings. The NFC 2024 kicks off on September 3 with insightful sessions on the European market, featuring leading pioneers and top innovators from the food industry. We spoke with Lea Stockmeier, Project Director NFC and Senior International Event Manager at ProVeg, to learn about this year’s New Food Conference’s key highlights. What is unique about this year’s New Food Conference compared to previous editions? This year, the conference will not only focus on the consumer …

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ProVeg fat in plant-based products

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Ingredients

Why Fat is Key in Plant-Based Products

Back in April of this year, Cultimate raised a substantial 2.3 million euros in seed funding. Four months later, the cultivated fat brand is well on its way to becoming a significant player in the alternative protein industry. In its latest New Food Hub interview, ProVeg International sat down with Cultimate’s co-founder and CEO, George Zhelezyni, to learn more about the potential of cultivated fat. Not only does Zhelezyni share expert insights about the innovative cultivated fat market, but he also gives some honest advice for founders and start-ups looking to thrive in the alternative protein space. The low-down on fat In today’s market for plant-based foods, it’s meat-eaters that need unlocking. According to Zhelezyni, fat will be the key ingredient to achieving this. “We’ve …

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ProVeg - the role of whole cut plant-based meat products

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Meat- and Fish Alternatives

The Role of Whole-Cut Plant-Based Meat Products

It’s out with the old, and in with the new – the plant-based meat industry is undergoing a new surge in innovation. While the industry has experienced a shake-out and consolidation in brands and products in recent years, it’s also seen food-tech milestones achieved. As a result, tastier, meatier, and more in-demand products are now taking centre stage and attracting new consumers to the category. In its latest New Food Hub interview, ProVeg International sat down with Edwin Bark, Senior Vice-President of Redefine Meat. Following the Flank Steak product launch, Edwin shared thoughts on attracting meat-eaters, industry challenges, and the future of plant-based meat. “As good as the animal version” Consumer research shows that the sensory experience of plant-based meat products is vital to their …

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Market & Trends

Netherlands: Supermarket Meat-Free Promotions Stagnate While Alt Meat Sales to Caterers Double

According to animal rights organisation Wakker Dier, the number of meat-free promotions available at Dutch supermarkets has barely increased for the third year in a row, remaining about the same on average. Additionally, there have been few reductions in meat promotions, with three available for every meat alternative offer. The organisation noted that there were discrepancies between retailers, with Aldi and Hoogvliet having reduced their meat-free promotions by 38% and 34% respectively. On the other hand, Jumbo has increased its vegetarian offers by 41%, and Spar saw the second-highest increase at 31%. Aldi runs 11 meat promotions for every meat-free offer, making it the worst-scoring supermarket in this area. Jumbo and Albert Heijn are tied in first place, with two meat promotions for every vegetarian …

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Four people on stage at NFC

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Fairs & Events

New Food Conference 2024 – Redefining the Food Industry

The New Food Conference (NFC) stands as one of Europe’s top events in the food industry, bringing together international food experts, scientists, innovative startups, retailers, and policymakers. The conference focuses on the latest advancements in the alternative protein sector, delving into the future of food through high-profile talks, networking opportunities, and live product tastings. Vegconomist is excited to return as the official media partner this year. Programme Highlights: NFC 2024, Startup Demo Day and Retailer Roundtable The NFC 2024 kicks off on September 3 with insightful sessions on the European market, featuring leading pioneers and top innovators from the food industry. Highlights include discussions on political goals, consumer narratives, and the evolving production landscape. A key event is the Demo Day, where startups from ProVeg …

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ProVeg plant-based eating in China

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Studies & Numbers

Promoting Plant-Based Eating in China

Education is pivotal in the adoption of plant-based diets. This is the primary insight from a survey of over 1,000 Chinese consumers commissioned by ProVeg Asia, which revealed that nearly all consumers are willing to consume more plant-based foods once they learn about the benefits. The findings have been incorporated into ProVeg Asia’s latest report, Plant-based eating in China: attitudes and opportunities, which examines the extent to which Chinese people have embraced plant-based food. The report specifically examines Chinese consumers’ willingness to increase their plant-based food consumption after being informed about health and environmental benefits, as evidenced by peer-reviewed studies in international scientific journals. This invaluable guide also ranks the benefits provided by plant-based diets in terms of their perceived significance and identifies motivations and …

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Albert Heijn

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Market & Trends

Albert Heijn Named Most Vegan-Friendly Supermarket in Belgium

Albert Heijn has been recognized as the supermarket chain with the most extensive vegan offerings in Flanders and Brussels, according to a recent study conducted by BE Vegan and ProVeg Belgium. The analysis evaluated the availability of plant-based products in six major supermarket chains: Albert Heijn, Delhaize, Carrefour, Colruyt, Lidl, and Aldi.  Albert Heijn leads the rankings, with Delhaize in second place and Colruyt in third. Notably, Colruyt has moved up to third place, overtaking Carrefour for the first time. “It is mainly the expansion of plant-based ready meals that places Colruyt in third position. There are more options for easy plant-based meals. Colruyt is also catching up in the area of ​​meat and fish substitutes: the offer has increased by 30% since 2022, and …

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New Food Forum

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Retail & E-Commerce

Czech Retailers Pledge to Make Plant-Based Alternatives More Accessible

At the New Food Forum conference held in Prague on April 18, retailers such as Tesco Czech Republic announced plans to make more plant-based alternatives available at affordable prices. The news comes as Czech consumers become increasingly interested in plant-based foods; according to ProVeg Czechia, data from consumer research agency GfK indicates that 4 out of 10 Czech households have purchased plant-based alternatives within the past year, with three-quarters making repeat purchases. Speakers at the conference emphasised the importance of certifications such as V-Label to help consumers identify plant-based foods. They also discussed supporting local plant-based producers through strategies such as minimising labelling restrictions and providing government support for innovation in food production. Initiatives such as the ProVeg Czech Export Alliance, which helps members who …

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Politics & Law

Johannesburg High Court Overturns Seizure of Meat Alternatives in South Africa

The Johannesburg High Court has overturned the planned seizure of plant-based meat alternatives marketed using “meat-like” terms in South Africa. These products will now remain permanently available in the country. South Africa’s Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) first banned the use of meat-like terms on plant-based product labels in June 2022, arguing that it was misleading to consumers. The department instructed the Food Safety Agency to seize any non-compliant products. However, plant-based advocates took the case to the Johannesburg High Court, successfully arguing that plant-based meat alternatives were not covered by legislation relating to the classification and labelling of processed meats. The court temporarily halted the planned seizure of the products in August 2022. Almost a year later, the seizure was …

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Company News

ProVeg Publishes 2023 Annual Review, Highlighting Global Expansion & More

Food awareness organization ProVeg International has published its annual review for 2023, highlighting impacts and outcomes from the past year. These include the establishment of two new global offices, ProVeg Nigeria and ProVeg Malaysia, expanding the organization’s presence to twelve countries on four continents. ProVeg now hopes to open an office in India in 2024. The organization also expanded the Veggie Challenge (which encourages participants to eat more plant-based for 30 days) to 600,000 subscribers globally. 95 teams participated in the B2B version of the challenge. Thanks in large part to advocacy by ProVeg, two-thirds of the food served at COP28 was vegetarian or vegan, and the organization has continued to work with the UN to integrate food system transformation into the climate change agenda. …

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Startups, Accelerators & Incubators

Kickstarting for Good Program Seeks Impact Entrepreneurs to Help Make Our Food System Sustainable

ProVeg International is searching for mission-driven entrepreneurs to join its Kickstarting for Good accelerator program, which aims to launch and grow nonprofits and impact initiatives working on transforming the food system. Said to be the first accelerator of its kind, Kickstarting for Good is the not-for-profit program of the ProVeg Incubator, which has worked with over 100 food tech startups over the past five years. It consists of an expert-led ten-week program featuring mentoring and networking opportunities. Participants will spend an intensive two weeks in Berlin (a grant is available to cover travel and accommodation costs) and will be teamed up with like-minded co-founders. The program will culminate in a Pitch Day. Idea areas Applicants — which may include individuals, founder teams, or existing organizations …

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