John Hopkins College Studnents Alt Protein

©Jacob Lund - stock.adobe.com

Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

USDA’s First Cultivated Meat Center “NICA” Opens Applications for Research Grants

The first US government-funded center for cultivated meat, the USDA’s National Institute of Cellular Agriculture (NICA) at Tufts University, has announced the opening of applications for its Seed Grant Program 2024.  Seed-level funding grants of $25,000 or $50,000 will be awarded to support fundamental or applied research in cellular agriculture, precision fermentation, and alternative proteins. Only primary investigators not associated with NICA are eligible to submit proposals. The new projects must align with NICA’s objectives and demonstrate a self-sufficient approach that can be completed within one year. In addition, the research aims described in the proposal must be new and not currently under investigation by the submitting person or entity. The initial review of proposals will be conducted by NICA industry advisory board members, and the …

more

Oatly and Barry's

© Oatly

Milk- and Dairy Alternatives

Oatly and Barry’s Partner to Launch Unsweetened Oatmilk in Fitness Studios Nationwide

Oatly has partnered with boutique fitness brand Barry’s to introduce one of its latest products, Unsweetened Oatmilk, to Fuel Bar offerings within Barry’s studios across the United States. This is the first of Oatly’s products available at Fuel Bars, which serves muscle-building and recovery shakes to Barry’s patrons, along with on-the-go snacks. Starting from March 18 and extending to April 22, customers of the 40 Barry’s locations nationwide will have the opportunity to customize their shakes with Oatly’s Unsweetened Oatmilk. Additionally, a special post-workout shake named “That Shake with Oatly In It” will be available. Crafted with a newly developed proprietary oat base, which was initially launched in January, this unsweetened version of Oatly’s oat milk contains no sugar and has only 40 calories per …

more

© Califia Farms

Milk- and Dairy Alternatives

Califia Farms Launches Plant-Based Creamers in Lavender, Brown Sugar and Vanilla

Califia Farms, based in Bakersfield, California, announces the launch of plant-based creamers in three flavors: lavender, brown sugar, and vanilla. The creamers are USDA-certified and made with simple ingredients without gums or oils. The almond-based creamers, available in a 25.4-ounce refrigerated format, debuted at this week’s Natural Products Expo West Show in Anaheim, California. The creamers are the latest addition to the brand’s organic line, following Organic Almond Milk and Organic Oat Milk, which launched in January 2023. Most recently the company launched Califia Farms Complete, a plant-based milk designed to match the nutritional profile of dairy milk while containing 50% less sugar, just this week. The range will soon be expanded to include organic coconut milk and organic vanilla almond milk. Califia Farms was …

more

7th Heaven peanut butter cups

© 7th Heaven

Products & Launches

7th Heaven Chocolate Unveils New Oat Milk Peanut Butter Cups to Rival Reese’s

7th Heaven Chocolate, a vegan chocolate brand based in Israel and New Jersey, is expanding its presence in the US dairy-free confectionery market by introducing oat milk peanut butter cups, a new addition to its vegan chocolate bar lineup. The product aims to offer a competitive alternative to Reese’s oat milk peanut butter cups, produced by Hershey’s, which were launched in the US last year. The company claims the formulation of these peanut butter cups is the result of extensive research and development by the company’s founders, Daniel Bareket and Elya Adi, along with chief food technologist Dan Brom. Originally launched in Israel under the brand name “Panda,” 7th Heaven’s products are currently available at over 700 retail locations across the United States, including Wegmans, …

more

Bored Cow launches animal-free yogurt, announced B-Corp status

© Bored Cow

Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

Bored Cow Launches “First of its Kind” Animal-Free Yogurt Made with Fermented Proteins

In response to its most consumer-requested product; Tomorrow Farms‘ animal-free dairy brand, Bored Cow, announces that it has developed the “first of its kind” range of drinkable yogurt made with milk protein from fermentation, coconut cream, and cane sugar.  Bored Cow’s new yogurt alternative comes in 7 oz bottles in three flavors: strawberry, vanilla, and passion fruit mango. Each bottle provides 8 g of complete protein per bottle, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and live probiotic cultures. Furthermore, they are free from milk’s lactose, cholesterol, hormones, and antibiotics. The new animal-free yogurt range will launch in New York City this month, with a suggested competitive retail price of $2.99 to $3.99.  The brand states, “Bored Cow offers everything consumers love about conventional dairy and nothing they …

more

Impossible Foods new branding

© Impossible Foods

Packaging

Impossible Foods Unveils Bold New Branding With Red Packaging to Target Meat Eaters

Impossible Foods has officially unveiled a bold new brand identity and packaging strategy at the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California. The company’s strategic shift aims to leverage the “craveability of meat” to appeal to meat eaters at every touchpoint, including both on-shelf packaging and the company’s digital identity. Marking a notable departure from its previous teal and white branding, Impossible Foods has embraced a vibrant red aesthetic. This decision aligns with multiple insights suggesting that meat-eaters are more receptive to plant-based products when presented in red, as red is associated with flavor and taste. A recent study conducted by ProVeg International found that the color of packaging plays an instrumental role in shaping consumer preferences and behaviors, with red packaging being particularly effective …

more

Eclipse Foods bonbons

© Eclipse Foods

Products & Launches

Eclipse Foods Launches Plant-Based Ice Cream Bonbons in US, “eclipseco” Debuts in Japan

Plant-based ice cream brand Eclipse Foods has announced the launch of a new product line, Eclipse Bonbons. This new addition to its portfolio introduces a series of non-dairy ice cream bonbons, developed by an award-winning chef to mimic the creamy texture and rich flavors traditionally associated with dairy-based ice cream. These bonbons combine ultra-creamy non-dairy ice cream with a velvety chocolate shell and a variety of crunchy toppings, designed to provide a luxurious taste experience. The launch will feature three flavors: Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle, Peanut Butter Pretzel, and Coffee Almond Crunch, which are scheduled for release in March 2024 in select US grocery stores. Thomas Bowman, the co-founder and CTO of Eclipse Foods, commented on the company’s dedication to producing plant-based alternatives that replicate the …

more

Bezos Earth Fund to establish Centers for Sustainable Protein

© Rocío Lower/Bezos Earth Fund

Sustainability / Environment

Bezos Earth Fund Commits $60M to Establish Centers for Sustainable Protein

The Bezos Earth Fund, launched in 2020 by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has pledged $60 million to establish several Bezos Centers for Sustainable Protein. The Centers will address technological challenges facing the alternative protein industry, with the aim of reducing costs, increasing nutritional benefits, and improving quality. The latter may involve enhancing flavor and texture through cell biology and engineering innovations, according to a media alert from the organization. The announcement was made at Aspen Ideas: Climate by Lauren Sánchez, Vice Chair of the Bezos Earth Fund and Jeff Bezos’ fiancée. She said technological innovations would be necessary to find solutions for climate change. The investment is part of the Bezos Earth Fund’s $1 billion commitment to improving the sustainability of the food system, which …

more

OmniFoods mushroom steak

© OmniFoods

Products & Launches

OmniFoods Debuts Lion’s Mane Steak as “New Generation of Fungi Innovation”

Plant-based food producer OmniFoods is set to introduce the latest advancements in its plant-based cuisine offerings at the upcoming Expo West 2024 in California. The new lineup includes a series of sweet baos and the launch of the OMNI Garden product line, which notably includes the debut of the company’s Lion’s Mane Mushroom Steak. At this year’s event, OMNI is unveiling the OMNI Garden series, a new collection of bowls, patties, and various plant-based delicacies focused on whole-vegetable ingredients. The Lion’s Mane Mushroom Steak is the standout product of this series, showcasing the versatility and appealing taste of lion’s mane mushrooms and offering attendees of Expo West the first opportunity to sample them. In addition, the company will expand its sweet offerings, following the success …

more

Alt Protein Careers

© Alt Protein Careers

Sustainability / Environment

Alt Protein Careers Launches Resources for Professionals Following Increase in “Climate Quitting”

According to career services and recruiting firm Alt Protein Careers, there has been a significant increase in the number of workers who are “climate quitting” — leaving their jobs to find positions where they can make a meaningful positive impact on the planet. The phenomenon is said to be particularly prevalent among younger demographics, with KPMG figures indicating that a third of 18-24-year-olds have turned down job offers due to a company’s ESG performance. Furthermore, research commissioned by Paul Polman (the former CEO of Unilever) indicates that 76% of job-seekers want to work for companies that have a positive impact, while over a third have left a job that was not aligned with their values. Working in alt proteins While many professionals are opting for …

more

Mellody hot honey

© Mellody

Products & Launches

MeliBio’s Mellody Unveils Spicy Habanero, Expanding Plant-Based Honey Range

Mellody, a plant-based honey brand under the umbrella of MeliBio, has introduced Spicy Habanero, a new addition to its lineup. This month, the product will be showcased at the National Products Expo West in California and the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas. According to the company, plant-based hot honey is the first vegan hot honey available on the market and will join Mellody’s inaugural product, Golden Clover Plant-Based Honey, launched exclusively for food service last year. The product made its debut at Eleven Madison Home in New York and has since expanded its availability across the United States and in select international markets. MeliBio, Inc., the sole owner of Mellody, has positioned itself as a leader in the market for bee-free honey production. The …

more

Image courtesy of Swan Neck Bio

Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

Swan Neck Bio Launches FlexCell for Fast and Affordable Fermentation Scaling

Swan Neck Bio, a spin-off from White Labs Copenhagen, a global leader in fermentation since 1995, has officially entered the market to unlock the biomanufacturing capacity of precision fermentation and biomass companies. Headquartered in Copenhagen, with supporting labs and production capabilities in the USA (California and North Carolina), Swan Neck Bio leverages a patented “breakthrough” technology developed by White Labs.  Called FlexCell, the technology allows companies to trial, validate, and scale microorganisms from the lab to 1,000 L more quickly and affordably. Fábio Faria-Oliveira, CSO of the company, shares: “Our dream is a world where there are no constraints to the innovative biosolutions our world urgently needs if we’re going to support a constantly growing population.”  Scaling without risks Troels Prahl, a microbiologist with over 20 …

more

TIME GreenTech Companies 2024

© TIME

Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

TIME’s Top GreenTech Companies of 2024 Recognizes The Better Meat Co., Rebellyous Foods, Prime Roots & More

TIME Magazine together with Statista, a leading statistics portal, recently unveiled America’s Top GreenTech Companies in 2024, recognizing 250 firms leading the charge in sustainability and environmental stewardship. Among these, FoodTech companies have a notable presence, with a total of 19 making the list, showcasing their pivotal role in advancing green technologies within the food industry. This high profile list is the result of an in-depth analysis aimed at identifying companies that are not only financially robust but also innovatively reducing their environmental impact. Statista’s methodology included a comprehensive review of various data points. Key metrics such as the value of a company’s intellectual property portfolio, revenue, funding, and industry-specific environmental contributions like carbon capture, use of renewable energy, and efforts to offset carbon emissions …

more

Primient investment

© GovPritzker on Twitter

Investments & Finance

Primient Invests $700 Million to Advance Plant-Based Ingredient Production in the US

Primient, a plant-based food and industrial ingredients supplier, has earmarked an investment surpassing $700 million to bolster sustainable ingredient production across its operational network in the United States to be rolled out over the next five years.  This financial commitment was announced at the “Rooted in Renewal” celebration, held at one of the company’s administration buildings in Decatur, Illinois, and attended by elected officials and industry leaders.  The strategic investment aims to upgrade and advance production assets and methodologies to achieve unparalleled product quality and ensure the longevity of its production capabilities. Notably, the investment encompasses significant enhancements to the company’s Decatur, Illinois facility, with $400 million allocated over the next five years for infrastructural and operational improvements. Jim Stutelberg, CEO of Primient, notes, “The …

more

EatDifferently Dairy Campaign

© Eat Differently

Marketing & Media

Eat Differently Launches Huge Billboard Campaign Across LA Exposing Falsehoods Peddled by Dairy Industry

A new campaign by Eat Differently, a public service resource encouraging plant-based eating, is challenging long-held consumer beliefs about the dairy industry. Titled “Got My Mom’s Milk? I Didn’t,” the campaign seeks to expose the often glossed-over realities of dairy cows and their calves and foster a broader understanding of dairy production practices.  With over 20 billboards strategically placed in key locations around Los Angeles, including the highly trafficked 405 Freeway, the Hollywood and Highland intersection, and near the Los Angeles International Airport, the campaign is anticipated to have high visibility.  Lori Amos, founder of Scout 22, an advertising agency working with Eat Differently, articulated the campaign’s core message: “The messaging featured in this campaign negates the falsehoods that have been peddled by the dairy …

more

Umaro bacon in sandwich close up

© Umaro Foods

Investments & Acquisitions

Umaro Foods Raises $3.8M for Seaweed Bacon, is “Laser Focused on Undercutting Hormel and Smithfield on Cost” 

Berkeley California’s Umaro Foods, producer of bacon from the proprietary red protein, Umaro, announces a raise of $3.8 million following a reported sixfold growth in sales. With the financing — a combination of equity and grant funding — Umaro is set to launch its innovative, patent-holding product into retail and expand its seaweed platform technology platform. The equity funding round was led by AgFunder with participation from Alexandria Venture Investments, Climate Capital Bio, Ponderosa Ventures, and early investor and NBA athlete Chris Paul. The company states that this Seed 2 equity funding round, along with a grant from the DOE’s ARPA-E program for the application of Umaro’s seaweed processing technology to new products, “not only validate Umaro Foods’ innovative approach but also secure its position …

more

MALK Organics cashew and shelf stable

© MALK Organics

Milk- and Dairy Alternatives

MALK Organics Secures Major Funding for Expansion, Unveils New Products

Plant-based milk company MALK Organics has announced the completion of a funding round spearheaded by the Benvolio Group and Rotor Capital; both investment firms focused on growth-oriented companies. This financial backing is poised to support the brand’s strategic initiatives, which include widening its retail footprint, amplifying marketing activities, and driving innovation in product development. Jason Bronstad, CEO of MALK Organics, spoke on the funding: “We are thrilled to announce another funding round from our valued partners at Benvolio, Rotor, and more on the heels of our latest product launches and distribution expansion.” In addition to this financial milestone, MALK Organics has also enhanced its product lineup with the introduction of three new offerings: a cashew-based milk and two shelf-stable milk alternatives—one almond and one oat-based. …

more

plant-based chicken UK

© TiNDLE

Products & Launches

TiNDLE Foods Debuts Plant-Based Stuffed Chicken and Oat Milk at Expo West

TiNDLE Foods, a plant-based chicken startup, will unveil its latest offerings, TiNDLE Stuffed Chicken and TiNDLE Barista Oat Milk, at Natural Products Expo West 2024.  TiNDLE Foods will present its TiNDLE Stuffed Chicken with initial options like Chicken Parmigiana, which will be served at the trade show, and Garlic & Herb. The product’s outer layer has a crispy breadcrumb coating, while the interior allows for customization with various seasonings and sauces. The company cites that future flavor releases will include Buffalo Ranch, Katsu Curry, and Tikka Masala. Adding to its portfolio, TiNDLE Foods also introduces its first dairy product, TiNDLE Barista Oat Milk. Developed in collaboration with expert baristas, the company claims this premium oat-based milk showcases exceptional steaming, frothing, and blending performance. The milk …

more

Pulmuone dumplings

© Pulmuone

Products & Launches

Pulmuone and Nasoya to Debut New Asian-Inspired Plant-Based Products at Expo West

Pulmuone, a leading global tofu manufacturer and the parent company of US plant-based brands Nasoya and Wildwood has announced that it will unveil a range of new plant-based products at the upcoming Natural Products Expo West, which takes place from March 14-16 in Anaheim, California. Among the company’s highlighted innovations are Nasoya’s latest Asian-inspired plant-based cuisine options, including an updated format for its vegan dumplings with dipping sauces, a novel lineup of vegan dressings, an exclusive preview of a new plant-based chicken product, and a limited-edition packaging design for its tofu range in honor of April’s Earth Month. Director of Marketing Communications and Consumer Insights at Pulmuone, Ellen Kim, noted, “Americans are expecting more of their plant-based products and are eager for them to feature globally-inspired flavors …

more

Governor JB Pritzker iFab tech hub illinois

Governor JB Pritzker © @GovPritzker on Twitter

Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

Illinois Invests $680M in Biotechnology Sector to Enhance Biomanufacturing and Precision Fermentation Capabilities

The state of Illinois is set to advance in the biotechnology sector through a substantial government investment strategy, enhancing its biomanufacturing and precision fermentation capabilities. The initiative, led by Governor JB Pritzker in partnership with Innovate Illinois, involves an allocation of $680 million to create the Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing (iFAB) Tech Hub, supported by both public and private funding. Governor Pritzker claims that the vision for iFAB is to support the state’s broader goals of becoming a central figure in the global biomanufacturing landscape over the coming decade. He states, “Home to world-class institutions, modernized infrastructure, and first-rate research centers, Illinois is transforming technology, biomanufacturing, and innovation at every turn.” The governor further underlined the transformative potential of iFAB, positioning it as a …

more