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lactoferrin

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Fermentation

Earth First Food Ventures Launches US’s First Precision Fermentation Facility for Lactoferrin

Earth First Food Ventures Ltd (EFFV), a venture capital firm focused on ESG and impact investments in food technology, has announced the launch of PFerrinX26, the first US-based facility dedicated exclusively to the precision fermentation of Lactoferrin (LF). This facility aims to address the growing global shortage of Lactoferrin, a protein with significant health benefits and applications in various sectors, including immune support and gut health. The facility’s establishment in the United States is also a strategic decision, given the country’s favorable regulatory environment for innovative food technologies. This decision underscores EFFV’s goal of scaling precision fermentation dairy in a market where the infrastructure and regulatory framework are better aligned to support such innovations. Ricardo Radwanski, CFO and co-founder of EFFV, stated, “We’re thrilled to …

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Dr. Bronner's

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Company News

Dr. Bronner’s Drops B Corp Certification Over Integrity Concerns

North American soap brand Dr. Bronner’s, has announced it will not renew its certification with B Lab, the nonprofit organization overseeing the B Corp program. The decision follows years of advocacy by Dr. Bronner’s for stricter certification requirements, particularly regarding the supply chains of multinational corporations. The company, which holds the record for the highest-ever B Corp score, has been a vocal critic of what it sees as the dilution of the certification’s integrity. In a joint statement, CEO David Bronner and president Michael Bronner said that the company no longer believes certification aligns with its mission. “The integrity of the B Corp Certification has become compromised, and remaining certified now contradicts our mission. Sharing the same logo and messaging regarding being of ‘benefit’ to …

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Odd Burger new retail products

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Retail & E-Commerce

Odd Burger Doubles Retail Footprint with Calgary Co-op Deal

Odd Burger has secured a new retail partnership with Calgary Co-op, expanding the distribution of its consumer packaged goods (CPG) line. The agreement will see Odd Burger’s full range of frozen plant-based products available at 22 Calgary Co-op locations across Alberta. The company’s retail product lineup includes five frozen items: Crispy ChickUn Fillet, Chickpea Burger, Smash Burger, ChickUn Pretenders, and Breakfast Sausage. The partnership nearly doubles Odd Burger’s retail distribution points and represents an effort to diversify its revenue streams. James McInnes, CEO and co-founder of Odd Burger, stated, “We are very excited to partner with Calgary Co-op to expand our retail presence in the Alberta market. “We are proud to produce our food at our Canadian manufacturing facility, using primarily Canadian-grown ingredients, and we …

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Beyond Meat

© Beyond Meat
Marketing & Media

Beyond Meat and NBPA Launch Plant-Based Cookbook Ahead of NBA All-Star Weekend

Beyond Meat has partnered with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) to introduce Go Beyond the Buzzer: A Plant-Based Cookbook Inspired by NBPA Members. The digital cookbook, set for release on February 12, features plant-based recipes contributed by NBA players, which showcase their preferred meals before and after games. Players such as Cade Cunningham, Kyrie Irving, and DeAndre Jordan have contributed recipes that incorporate Beyond Meat products, aiming to showcase plant-based eating within professional sports. Examples include Josh Hart’s “Beyond Hart Burrito” made with Beyond Steak, Damian Lillard’s vegan sloppy joe, and Jalen Brunson’s spicy rigatoni. The cookbook will be available for free online, with a limited number of hard copies distributed at select All-Star Weekend events. Beyond Meat at NBA All-Star Weekend Beyond Meat …

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© Juicy Marbles
Products & Launches

Juicy Marbles Launches First Plant-Based Lamb Whole Cut in North America

Slovenian plant-based meat company Juicy Marbles has announced the launch of Meaty Meat, a whole-cut plant-based lamb alternative. The product, which became available in the US and Canada last week, is the company’s first lamb-style alternative and is positioned as a more affordable entry point into its product lineup. Priced at $10 per 6.4-ounce pack, Meaty Meat is 26% less expensive per ounce than Juicy Marbles’ previous lowest-cost whole-cut product. The company states that the price reduction is part of an effort to make plant-based whole cuts more accessible for everyday use, moving beyond special occasions and restaurant-style meals. Meaty Meat is designed to be a flexible protein option, intended for a variety of dishes. The company states that it can be cooked whole or …

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A cultivated chicken sandwich

© UPSIDE Foods
Politics & Law

South Dakota Becomes Latest US State to Propose a Cultivated Meat Ban

A legislative committee in South Dakota has put forward a bill that would ban the manufacture, sale, and distribution of cultivated meat in the state. As reported by South Dakota Searchlight, the bill has already gained the approval of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee with an 8-5 vote. Furthermore, another bill that would restrict state spending on cultivated meat has gained unanimous approval. However, more steps are required for the bills to become law, and both will need to pass the state House of Representatives. The news comes just weeks after a bill to ensure the clear labeling of cultivated meat products passed both chambers in the state. It is currently awaiting a decision by the governor. Alabama and Florida have already banned …

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MMarin Headshot

Meredith Marin, Co-founder of Vegan Hospitality © Vegan Hospitality
Interviews

Vegan Hospitality: “Our Mission Is To Create Scalable Solutions That Make Vegan Dining Accessible and Desirable For All”

We sat down with Meredith Marin, Co-founder of Vegan Hospitality, to discuss the organization’s journey, impact, and future plans. In this insightful conversation, she shares how Vegan Hospitality has evolved over the past five years, why it recently transitioned into a non-profit, and how it is working with businesses worldwide to create a more vegan-friendly hospitality industry. Can you introduce Vegan Hospitality and share its core mission and values? Vegan Hospitality is a U.S. based nonprofit with global food systems impact. We represent the world’s largest network of professional vegan hospitality consultants. Our leadership team, along with our network of independent consultants, empowers businesses in the hospitality industry to implement strategies that reduce food-related emissions and increase inclusivity for vegan and plant-forward guests. Our mission is to create scalable solutions …

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The Cultivated B auxo bioreactor

© The Cultivated B
Manufacturing & Technology

The Cultivated B Unveils AI-Driven Biosensors to Advance Fermentation Tech

Biotechnology company The Cultivated B has introduced a new AI-driven biosensor system designed to enhance real-time monitoring of cell culture and fermentation processes. The multi-channel biosensors aim to improve bioprocess transparency, allowing engineers to track growth and metabolic activity with high precision. The system integrates real-time data analytics with continuous, high-resolution monitoring, eliminating the need for manual sampling or physical probes. This approach reduces contamination risks while ensuring consistent process conditions. The biosensors are designed to detect specific molecules within a bioreactor, offering a customizable solution that adapts to various bioprocessing requirements. The technology can measure a range of chemicals, including glucose, amino acids, and lactic acid, at concentrations below the picomolar level. “The release of highly advanced biosensors is another crucial step towards our …

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new beyond meat steak

© Beyond Meat
Products & Launches

Beyond Meat Introduces Pre-Seasoned Beyond Steak in Chimichurri and Korean BBQ

Beyond Meat has announced an expansion of its Beyond Steak product line with two new pre-seasoned varieties: Beyond Steak Chimichurri and Beyond Steak Korean BBQ-Style. The new offerings are now available in the freezer aisle at Sprouts Farmers Market stores across the United States. According to Beyond Meat, the expanded line aims to provide consumers with a convenient, plant-based alternative to traditional steak. The pre-seasoned steak tips are designed to replicate the texture and flavor of seared steak while meeting specific nutritional criteria. Each serving contains 20 grams of plant-based protein, 1 gram of saturated fat, and no cholesterol. The products have received certifications from the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check program and the American Diabetes Association’s Better Choices for Life program. “The original Beyond Steak …

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Burcon's protein uses

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Manufacturing & Technology

Burcon Finalizes Agreement for North American Protein Production Facility

Burcon NutraScience Corporation has entered into a binding agreement with ProMan for the acquisition and operation of a protein production facility in North America. The facility will be dedicated to manufacturing Burcon’s portfolio of plant-based protein ingredients. Under the terms of the agreement, ProMan will purchase the facility and grant Burcon exclusive access to its full manufacturing capacity. Burcon will operate as the exclusive manufacturer of its protein products, with a seven-year initial manufacturing term. Burcon CEO Kip Underwood described the agreement as a key step in the company’s growth strategy. “By pairing a strategic real estate investment with a proven go-to-market approach in food technology, we are seizing the best opportunity in our history to establish a direct route to market for our innovative …

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SuperMeat cultivated chicken

© SuperMeat
Cultivated Meat

Stämm and SuperMeat Partner to Improve Efficiency and Scalability in Cultivated Chicken

Argentine biotechnology company Stämm has partnered with Israeli cultivated meat producer SuperMeat to enhance biomanufacturing processes for cultivated chicken. The collaboration, supported by mutual investor Varana Capital, will focus on integrating Stämm’s continuous bioprocessing technology into SuperMeat’s production system. The partnership will benchmark the application of Stämm’s Bioprocessor, an automated, bubble-free bioreactor designed to improve efficiency in cell culture. Previously used in biologics manufacturing, the technology has demonstrated a 15-fold increase in volumetric productivity and cost reductions in stem cell production. The pilot will evaluate how the system can be applied to cultivated meat, with a particular focus on muscle fiber growth, elongation, and the formation of mature tissue. “In the coming months, a joint team will benchmark and evaluate how to integrate our Bioprocessor …

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US department of defense

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Guest Posts

Department of Defense Invests Heavily in Food Innovation: Why?

Elysabeth Alfano is the CEO of VegTech™ Invest, an advisor to a food innovation ET, and a consultant to C-Suite of multinational companies. She speaks internationally on the intersection of investing, sustainability, and food systems transformation and is also the host of the podcast, Upside & Impact: Investing for Change. In this article, which originally ran on Advisorpedia.com, Elysabeth Alfano explores the US Department of Defense’s significant investment in food innovation through the Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program (DBIMP). She examines how food security, supply chain resilience, environmental impact, and public health concerns drive this initiative, positioning food system transformation as both a national security priority and a major investment opportunity. Department of Defense Invests Heavily in Food Innovation: Why? The US Department of Defense is investing heavily …

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Canadian Food Innovation Network foodtech in canada report

© Canadian Food Innovation Network
Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

Canada’s Foodtech Report: Is Canada Ready to Compete in the Global Foodtech Race?

The Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) has released its Foodtech in Canada 2025 Ecosystem Report, offering insights into investment trends, sector strengths, and challenges in Canada’s food technology sector from 2014 to 2024. Canada’s agrifoodtech sector attracted $4.1 billion CAD in investment over the past decade, with $2.3 billion CAD directed to food technology projects. The sector has grown at an 8.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), surpassing the global average decline of -2.6%. However, venture capital investment in Canadian foodtech lags behind other countries, with only 40% of funding rounds backed by VC, compared to 60% in the UK and US. Instead, government grants play a larger role, representing 30% of Canadian foodtech funding rounds, compared to just 5% in the UK and 8% …

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Both Burger by 50/50 Foods

50/50 Foods
Studies & Numbers

Could “Balanced Proteins” Help Reach Consumers Who Are Reluctant to Try Meat Alternatives?

A new report by Food System Innovations (FSI) has outlined the challenges involved in convincing consumers to adopt meat alternatives, and whether “Balanced Proteins” — a combination of meat and plant-based ingredients — could provide the solution. In partnership with YouGov, FSI surveyed over 2,000 US consumers to gain insights into consumer behavior in the meat alternatives category. The results indicate that the majority of consumers believe conventional meat products meet their needs; when asked about ground beef, 80% of consumers were either indifferent or believed it was already a healthy option. This illustrates why it may be difficult to persuade consumers to switch to plant-based meat. Furthermore, 55% of consumers prioritize familiar foods when shopping, meaning they may see meat alternatives as disconnected from …

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Cosun Beet

© Cosun Beet Falafel burger
Studies & Numbers

Study: American Consumers Prefer Falafel Burgers Over More Processed Meat Alternatives

A new study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has examined the attitudes of US consumers towards different types of meat alternatives. As part of the study, researchers from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU), Humboldt University Berlin, and Georg August University Göttingen surveyed 2,100 US consumers. Participants were asked to choose one of four burgers — a conventional beef burger, a realistic plant-based meat burger (analog), a vegetarian burger imitating the appearance but not the taste or texture of meat (semi-analog), and a falafel burger (non-analog). As expected, the meat burger proved the most popular and was chosen by three-quarters of respondents. However, researchers were surprised to find that the non-analog burger was the most popular meat-free choice, while the …

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Scooter's Coffee

© Scooter's Coffee
Milk- and Dairy Alternatives

Scooter’s Coffee Drops Plant-Based Milk Upcharge at All Locations US-Wide

The US’s fourth-largest coffee chain, Scooter’s Coffee, has removed the upcharge for plant-based milk alternatives at its 800+ locations across 29 states. The change follows discussions with the corporate engagement team from animal protection organization Mercy for Animals, which urged Scooter’s Coffee to promote inclusivity by making plant-based options more accessible. Mercy for Animals notes that almost 90% of people from some areas of East Asia are lactose intolerant, along with 80% of Native Americans, 65% of Africans and African Americans, and 50% of Latin Americans. Milk alternatives also have a much lower environmental impact than cow’s milk, meaning that removing the upcharge has benefits for both human health and the environment. “We are thrilled that Scooter’s Coffee has listened to their customers and taken …

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Plant-Based Foods of Canada Third Annual Conference

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Fairs & Events

PBFC Annual Conference 2025 to Explore Growth and Innovation in Plant-Based Foods

Plant-Based Foods of Canada (PBFC) is set to host its 3rd Annual Conference on February 13, 2025, at the Maple Leaf ThinkFOOD! Centre in Mississauga, Ontario. Under the theme “Cultivating Community: Collaborative Growth in the Plant-Based Foods Industry,” the event will bring together over 125 industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to discuss the future of plant-based foods in Canada. Insights on innovation and market growth in plant-based foods The Conference will feature a keynote speech by Dave Donnan from Northwestern University, who will explore innovation, scaling, and unmet needs in the plant-based sector. Other notable speakers include Michael LeBlanc, who will discuss evolving retail trends, and Murad Al-Katib, who will highlight future opportunities for plant-based foods in Canada. The event will also host panel discussions …

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Liberation labs

© Liberation Labs
Fermentation

Precision Fermentation Firm Liberation Labs Secures $50.5M to Scale Production

Liberation Labs has closed a $50.5 million convertible note round, bringing its total raised capital for this financing effort to $75 million. This latest investment includes $31.5 million in new funding and $19 million from insider bridge notes raised earlier in 2024. Key investors in the round include NEOM Investment Fund (NIF), Galloway Limited, and Meach Cove Capital, alongside existing backers Agronomics, New Agrarian Capital, and Siddhi Capital. The funding will support the completion of Liberation Labs’ first commercial-scale precision fermentation biomanufacturing facility in Richmond, Indiana. Expected to be operational this year, the plant will have a 600,000-liter fermentation capacity and a fully dedicated downstream process (DSP). It is designed to produce bio-based materials for food, chemicals, and industrial applications, aiming to address a supply …

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Verschuren Centre

© Verschuren Centre
Investments & Finance

Nova Scotia Expands Precision Fermentation Hub with $1M Investment

The Government of Nova Scotia is investing over 1 million Canadian dollars to expand the capabilities of the Verschuren Centre’s fermentation plant in Cape Breton, aiming to enhance automation, support additional clients, and create skilled jobs in the biomanufacturing sector. With a contribution of $1,055,000 from the province’s Community Economic Development Fund, the Verschuren Centre will increase its client capacity from 40 to 50, allowing it to accommodate more advanced projects. The expansion is expected to drive further direct investment and job creation in the sector. According to Glace Bay-Dominion MLA John White, the initiative is a milestone for both Cape Breton and the Verschuren Centre, positioning it as the largest and only provider of precision fermentation of this scale in Canada. “Products manufactured here …

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online grocery shopping

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Studies & Numbers

Digital “Nudges” in Online Grocery Shopping Promote Plant-Based Choices, Research Finds

New research from Purdue University and the University of Kentucky suggests that online grocery shopping platforms could effectively encourage consumers to choose plant-based foods by implementing strategies such as carbon footprint labeling and product categorization. The study, led by Bhagyashree Katare, an associate professor of agricultural economics at Purdue, and co-author Shuoli Zhao, assistant professor of agricultural economics at the University of Kentucky, was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). It explores the effectiveness of digital “nudges” in promoting sustainable food choices, particularly in the growing sector of online grocery shopping, which accounts for more than 45% of US grocery purchases, according to 2021 data. Online grocery simulation The researchers utilized the Open Science Online Grocery platform, which simulates a …

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