© Redefine Meat

Sustainability / Environment

Report Says Non-Animal Proteins Are Critical to Achieving Israel’s Food Security by 2050

A report by the Samuel Neaman Institute has described non-animal proteins — including legumes, plant-based meat, and cultivated products — as critical to achieving food security for Israel by 2050. The authors outline the challenges posed by population growth and environmental issues, noting that Israel has a low self-sufficiency ratio in food groups such as cereals, legumes, and nuts. This increases the country’s reliance on imports and its vulnerability to global supply chain disruptions. Consequently, boosting domestic production of non-animal proteins could enhance Israel’s resilience to geopolitical and economic uncertainties, while simultaneously reducing the environmental impact of producing and importing animal products. Greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water consumption could all be significantly decreased. The report suggests aligning the Israeli diet with Mediterranean diet …

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Melhoramentos compostable packaging

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Packaging

Melhoramentos Expands Stake in W-Cycle’s Compostable Packaging That Survives -40°C to 220°C

Brazilian forestry and publishing company Melhoramentos has increased its investment in Israeli clean-tech firm W-Cycle, extending a partnership focused on the production of compostable, plastic-free food containers. The move follows an initial strategic investment of $3.4 million in November 2024, which granted Melhoramentos exclusive distribution rights for W-Cycle’s molded fiber packaging products across Latin America. The ongoing collaboration involves the integration of cellulose fibers from Melhoramentos’ 80 million square meters of sustainably managed forests into W-Cycle’s food-grade packaging formulations. This shift repurposes a portion of Melhoramentos’ pulp output—traditionally used in paper and cardboard—toward the production of molded fiber containers designed for food contact. W-Cycle has developed SupraPulp™, a proprietary cellulose-based material that enables the manufacturing of compostable trays and containers. These products are engineered to …

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Aleph Farms steak

© Aleph Farms

Investments & Finance

Aleph Farms Accelerates Global Growth with $29M to Expand Production and Improve Efficiency

Israeli cultivated meat producer Aleph Farms has raised $29 million in a funding round to expand production capacity and implement a revised biomanufacturing process. The round includes $22 million through a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) and an additional $7 million from existing investors. The company expects to raise a further $10–15 million in the coming months as part of the same round. The capital will support the expansion of Aleph’s pilot facility in Rehovot, Israel, and the development of intermediate-scale production sites in Europe and Asia. These new facilities are intended to operate under the company’s updated ‘1.2’ production platform, which combines cell proliferation and differentiation in a single bioreactor. The updated method removes the need for scaffolding and a secondary tissue bioreactor, …

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The Brevel team

The Brevel team. © Aviram Waldman

Algae, Microalgae & Seaweed

Brevel Expands Seed Round to $25M to Accelerate Commercialization of Microalgae Proteins

Climate food tech company Brevel has secured over $5 million in a seed extension up-round, taking the total amount of seed funding it has raised to $25 million. The capital will be used to develop microalgae proteins for food and beverage applications and accelerate the commercialization of the company’s products. The extension is based on exercises of warrants investors were granted in the initial closing of the seed round in June 2023. Notable investors who decided to increase their share in the company include NevaTeam Partners, Siddhi Capital, the European Union’s EIC Fund, Good Protein Fund, The Food Tech Lab, and PVS Investments. Additionally, several new investors were granted access to the extension under the same terms. With the help of the funding, Brevel will …

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Simple Planet medium

© Simple Planet

Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

Simple Planet Moves Closer to Halal Certification with New Serum-Free Technology

Seoul-based startup Simple Planet announced the will pursue Halal certification for its cell-based food products, as part of its strategy to tap into the global Halal market. This initiative comes on the heels of a recent collaboration with the Halal Science Center (HSC) at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed last month. The partnership hopes to facilitate the certification process for cell-based products and expand their reach in Halal markets worldwide. Development of serum-free culture medium In addition to this collaboration, Simple Planet has developed an edible, serum-free culture medium using probiotics-derived metabolites, which is seen as a critical step toward meeting Halal certification requirements. Probiotics-derived metabolites are naturally free from Haram substances, making them a suitable and permissible …

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Peet's Coffee

© Peet's Coffee

Milk- and Dairy Alternatives

Peet’s Coffee Removes Plant-Based Milk Surcharge Following PETA and Paul McCartney Push

Peet’s Coffee will no longer charge an extra fee for plant-based milks, following pressure from animal rights group PETA and public support from Sir Paul McCartney. The announcement comes after PETA launched a national campaign urging the coffee chain to stop penalizing customers who opt for vegan milks, such as almond, oat, and pea-based varieties, instead of traditional cow’s milk. Peet’s currently charges at least 80 cents more for plant milks, a practice that PETA has criticized for contributing to environmental damage and animal welfare concerns, including the separation of mother cows from their calves. PETA’s campaign included a social media blitz, targeted billboards near Peet’s locations, and protests. The group argued that the upcharge on plant-based milks was inconsistent with Peet’s stated commitment to …

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PoLoPo team

© PoLoPo

Plant Cell Cultivation

PoLoPo Expands Lab Capacity, Completes Successful Outdoor Field Trial of Protein-Producing Potatoes

PoLoPo, a company specializing in molecular farming, has announced two key developments: a successful field trial producing five tons of protein-rich potatoes and the expansion of its lab capabilities to meet growing demand for protein samples. The company’s trial, which exceeded initial expectations by yielding approximately five tons of potatoes—two tons more than anticipated—marks a significant milestone in its efforts to scale production of functional proteins. These potatoes are engineered to contain both ovalbumin and patatin, a protein native to the plant. Despite being genetically engineered, the protein powder derived from these potatoes contains no genetic material and is classified as non-GMO. In addition to the field trial success, PoLoPo has upgraded its laboratory facilities, enabling it to supply hundreds of grams of protein powders …

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TissenBio Farms

© TissenBio Farms

Investments & Finance

South Korea Invests $10M in New Cultivated Meat Research Center

South Korea is investing US$10 million (₩14.5 billion) in the construction of a new cultivated meat research center in Uiseong County, North Gyeongsang Province. This includes around $3.6 million in state funding, with the remainder provided by the county and province. The capital will be deployed over a three-year period extending from 2025 until the expected completion of the facility in 2027. Claimed to be the first of its kind in the country, the three-floor center will span 2,663 square meters, providing resources to help companies with research, regulatory approval, and commercialization. This will include infrastructure for mass cultivation, prototype production, and full-cycle industrialization. There are plans for the facility to build a system capable of producing up to 100 kilograms of cultivated meat per …

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Meatable hires meat industry veterans

Image courtesy of Meatable

People

Meatable Hires Two Meat Industry Veterans in Strategic Move

Dutch cultivated meat company Meatable has strengthened its ties to the meat industry through the strategic hiring of two industry veterans. Maiko van der Meer is Meatable’s new Director of Commerce and will be based in the Netherlands. He has extensive experience in the meat, fish, poultry and plant-based industries, having led efforts at MOWI, Vion Food Group, 2 Sisters Food Group, and Tyson Foods. He began his new role on March 1. Eugene Leong has been appointed as Meatable’s new Head of Asia, based in Singapore. He has more than 25 years of business experience in flavors and food ingredients, most recently at McCormick and Cargill. Leong will join Meatable on May 5, helping to expand the company’s footprint in the Asian market. The …

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Mycelium bacon on a plate - CellX unveils its mycelium fermentation programme

Image courtesy of CellX

Politics & Law

New Chinese Government Documents Indicate Support for Alternative Proteins & Novel Foods

Two new documents released ahead of the Chinese government’s annual Two Sessions Summit have raised hopes of increased support for alternative proteins in the country. As reported by GFI APAC, the first document is an official notice from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs outlining “Key Areas of National Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation” for 2024-2028. It identifies agricultural processing and food manufacturing as a priority, including research into novel foods to “create a new generation of food to meet new scenarios and special needs”. The document also mentions the importance of agricultural product quality and safety, including studies to assess the safety and nutritional efficacy of alternative proteins and other novel resources. This could potentially accelerate the development of a regulatory approval framework …

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A close up of a man's hands tearing apart a piece of 3D printer plant-based beef steak to show the muscle-like fibres.

© Steakholder Foods

Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

Steakholder Foods Bolsters Financial Position Through Strategic Funding Deal

Steakholder Foods has secured new funding through a private placement agreement and an equity line of credit (ELOC) with Alumni Capital LP. The financing includes an immediate capital injection of approximately $1.25 million, alongside access to an additional $8 million in funding. The private placement agreement involves the sale of 985,028 American Depositary Shares (ADSs) at $1,269 per share. Alumni Capital LP receive warrants that allow the purchase of the same number of ADSs at a price of $2.00 per share. These warrants will be valid for five years. Financial flexibility through equity line Through the ELOC, Steakholder Foods can sell shares to Alumni Capital over time, providing financial flexibility while managing dilution for existing shareholders. The company intends to use the funds for general …

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Wide Open Agriculture lupin protein

© Wide Open Agriculture

Approvals

Wide Open Agriculture’s Lupin Protein Isolate Gains Chinese Market Approval

Australian regenerative food and agriculture company Wide Open Agriculture (WOA) has announced that its lupin protein isolate has received General Administration approval to export to the Chinese market. The application was reportedly supported by a local distributor who believes there is significant potential for lupin protein in the country. The protein isolate has several proven commercial applications, including protein powders, plant-based milks, yogurts, and ice creams. WOA initially plans to sell into the Chinese protein powder and dairy alternative sectors, and will also market a tofu alternative made with lupins instead of soy. While soy protein currently dominates the Chinese market, some consumers are concerned about GMO soybeans, and this is increasing the demand for other sustainable protein sources. WOA’s lupin protein is non-GMO and …

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Simple Planet signs MoU with Halal Science Center Chulalongkorn University

Image: Simple Planet on LinkedIn

Company News

Simple Planet Plans to Achieve Halal Certification After Signing MoU With Halal Science Center Chulalongkorn University

South Korean biotech startup Simple Planet has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Halal Science Center at Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University. Through the partnership, Simple Planet and the Center will conduct joint halal science and technology research. They will also share laboratory and human resources, organizing joint academic activities such as conferences and seminars in halal science and technology. The collaboration signifies Simple Planet’s commitment to establishing halal Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) production facilities and achieving halalcertification for its cultivated functional food ingredients. The project aims to ensure that cultivated products will be accessible to the world’s global Muslim population, which includes over 1.9 billion people. “Simple Planet is committed to becoming the first biotech startup to integrate halal standards into the rapidly evolving …

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Image courtesy of Aviko Rixona

Fairs & Events

Plant-Based Nuggets Made With Aviko Rixona’s Potato Cheezz Named Best Frozen Product at Gulfood

Global potato product supplier Aviko Rixona is celebrating after nuggets made with its unique potato-based cheese alternative were named Best Frozen Product at Gulfood 2025. Called the Tater Cheezz Nugget, the winning product is produced by Aviko Rixona customer ARK34 Ltd. Aviko Rixona has warmly congratulated the company on its success. Gulfood is one of the world’s largest food and beverage trade fairs, and takes place annually in Dubai. The event provides a platform for trends, products, and innovations in the food and beverage industry. Potato Cheezz Aviko Rixona first unveiled its plant-based Potato Cheezz in 2022. The product is claimed to be the first ever cheese alternative made from potatoes, with a similar taste, texture, and appearance to dairy cheese. Uniquely, the plant-based cheese …

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Fermify

© Fermify

Approvals

Fermify Becomes First to Submit Regulatory Dossier for Animal-Free Casein in Singapore

Vienna-based precision fermentation company Fermify has submitted a regulatory dossier for its animal-free casein to the Singapore Food Agency (SFA). The submission represents a step toward commercializing its dairy protein alternative in the Asian market. The company, which focuses on sustainable dairy production without the use of animals, previously submitted its casein dossier to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2024, where it achieved self-affirmed Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status. Fermify’s casein, produced through precision fermentation, is designed to replicate the functional properties of traditional dairy proteins, enabling the production of cheese that melts and stretches without requiring milk from cows. The company emphasizes its product as a solution to the environmental and ethical concerns associated with conventional dairy. Eva Sommer, …

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rice milk

© chandlervid85 - stock.adobe.com

Milk & Dairy

Tokyo’s Kinish Raises $800,000 USD to Scale Rice-Based Casein Production

Tokyo-based food tech startup Kinish Inc. has secured $800,000 USD (¥120 million) in a seed funding round to advance its rice-based dairy alternative technology. The funding was led by Genesia Ventures, Lifetime Ventures, Full Commit Partners, and Mitsubishi UFJ Capital. Kinish is working to develop a rice-based source of casein, the key protein found in milk, using plant molecular agriculture. The company’s goal is to create plant-based dairy alternatives that closely replicate conventional dairy in taste and texture, while also addressing environmental concerns tied to livestock farming. CEO Hiroya Hashizume explained that the company’s mission is rooted in both sustainability and food enjoyment. “We believe that ‘small moments of excitement’ are essential to human life, and delicious food plays a key role in that. However, …

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bioreactor platform ever after foods

Image courtesy of Ever After Foods

Manufacturing & Technology

Ever After Foods and Bühler Partner to Launch Commercial-Scale Cultivated Meat Production System

Ever After Foods, the developer of a proprietary technology platform for cultivated meat production, has announced a collaboration with Bühler, a global company producing processing equipment for foods and advanced materials. Together, the two companies will work to bring a commercial-scale cultivated meat production system to market. The system will reportedly allow for production at a ten-fold lower scale than existing technologies. “The global food chain faces significant challenges if we are to successfully and sustainably feed our growing population,” said Ian Roberts, CTO at Bühler. “How we produce and consume protein will continue to change, and requires a transition of our protein system to deliver this. Powering cultivated meat production at scale with a patented production system, Ever After Foods will help the food …

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Simple Planet makes cultivated meat powder for f&&B applications

© Simple Planet

Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

Simple Planet Unveils Serum-Free Cell Culture Medium, Slashing Costs by 99.8%

South Korea-based alternative protein company Simple Planet has announced the development of a patented, serum-free cell culture medium designed for use in cell-based food production, biopharmaceuticals, and regenerative medicine. The medium, created through probiotics recycling, is expected to launch globally in 2025. According to the company, the formulation could reduce production costs by over 99.8% compared to conventional media. By replacing fetal bovine serum (FBS) with probiotics-derived metabolites, the medium eliminates ethical concerns and the high costs associated with animal-derived components. Successful trials & enhanced cell growth The new cell culture medium has undergone successful trials in collaboration with global research institutions and innovation centers. Testing has demonstrated that the formulation enhances myoblast cell proliferation while maintaining normal cell morphology, positioning it as a potential …

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Steakholder Foods eel

© Steakholder Foods

Investments & Finance

Steakholder Foods Secures $250,000 Grant Installment for 3D-Printed Eel Alternatives

Steakholder Foods, a company developing meat and fish alternatives using 3D printing technology, has secured a third payment of $250,000 from the Singapore-Israel Industrial R&D Foundation (SIIRD). The company has now received $740,000 of the $1 million grant it has been awarded by SIIRD. Steakholder Foods received its first grant installment in March 2024 after successfully producing 3D-printed hybrid fish alternatives using its proprietary technologies. The second payment was disbursed in November 2024 in response to the company’s creation of 3D-printed plant-based fish and eel. The most recent installment corresponds to significant advancements in the flavor and texture of the 3D-printed eel. The company’s research in this area involves model planning, material development, premix formulation, and the creation of the final printed product. Advancing food …

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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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