Jay&Joy

© Jay&Joy

Investments & Acquisitions

Jay&Joy Doubles Capacity With Acquisition of Les Nouveaux Affineurs and €2M Investment

Jay&Joy, a French company specializing in plant-based cheese alternatives, has announced the acquisition of its competitor, Les Nouveaux Affineurs, alongside a €2 million funding round. The acquisition, supported by a €2 million funding round, expands Jay&Joy’s production capacity and product range in France and across Europe. Since CEO César Augier assumed leadership in 2023, Jay&Joy has revitalized its production processes, reestablished distribution channels, and initiated market expansion both domestically and internationally. The recent acquisition adds a production facility in Ivry-sur-Seine, complementing the existing site in Lacroix-Saint-Ouen, and retains 10 jobs from Les Nouveaux Affineurs. Augier stated, “Our ambition is clear: to offer exceptional plant-based alternatives while preserving our traditional know-how and accelerating our European expansion. This acquisition marks a crucial step in strengthening our leadership …

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La Vie ham

© La Vie

Politics & Law

France Overturns Restrictions on Plant-Based Food Labels After EU Ruling

The French Council of State has annulled two government decrees that sought to prohibit plant-based food producers from using terms traditionally associated with animal-based products, such as “steak” and “sausage.” The decision follows a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), which found that such national restrictions conflict with European regulations. The legal dispute dates back to 2020, when the French Parliament introduced a law barring the use of meat-related terminology for marketing plant-based products. This was later reinforced by a government decree issued in June 2022, followed by an updated decree in February 2024. However, several companies and professional associations challenged these restrictions, arguing they were incompatible with EU law. Before making its final ruling, the Council of State sought …

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Vietnamese Salad with Beyond Steak

© Beyond Meat

Food Service

Beyond Meat Introduces Beyond Steak to French Food Service Sector

Beyond Meat has announced the launch of its plant-based Beyond Steak in France, marking the product’s first entry into the French food service market. Starting in February 2025, the offering will be available to restaurants nationwide, aiming to provide a versatile option for those seeking plant-based menu additions. The Beyond Steak pieces, crafted from plant-based ingredients such as fava beans and wheat, are designed to replicate the taste and texture of conventional steak. Each 100g portion delivers 24g of protein and contains 182 calories, with only 1g of saturated fat and no cholesterol. The company also released a life cycle assessment (LCA) study of its Beyond Steak earlier this month, which found that the product generates 84% less greenhouse gas emissions and requires 93% less …

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microbial protein Formo cheese gratin

© Formo

Fermentation

GFI and Accenture Release Precision Fermentation Consumer Research Across Five Markets

A recent study by the Good Food Institute (GFI), conducted in collaboration with Accenture, has examined consumer attitudes and preferences toward precision fermentation (PF) products in five key markets: France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The research explores how consumers perceive PF-produced dairy and egg ingredients, offering insights into effective communication strategies for this emerging food technology. Precision fermentation and its applications Precision fermentation uses microorganisms, such as yeast, to produce specific proteins found in animal-based products, including dairy and eggs. These proteins, identical to those in conventional animal products, serve functional purposes such as enabling cheese to stretch or eggs to bind in recipes. PF products can either serve as ingredients incorporated into larger food items (e.g., whey protein in …

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Arvesta

© Arvesta

Ingredients

Arvesta Launches Benelux’s First Plant-Based Protein Facility, Boosting Local Farming and Innovation

Arvesta, a full-service partner for the agricultural sector, announces the official opening of ‘Nuverta’, its innovative protein facility in Mettet, Belgium. Arvesta states that the facility is unique in Belgium and the Benelux, marking an important milestone in its mission: ‘From Field to Future’. The special feature of this protein plant is its ability to produce high-quality vegetable protein concentrates from local raw materials such as yellow peas. This is intended to create new income models for farmers and ensure the production of healthy, local, plant-based products. Vegetable protein concentrates from local raw materials The new protein plant in Mettet produces high-quality vegetable protein concentrates from local raw materials, in this case yellow peas. The project contributes to the sustainable production of animal and human …

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Standing Ovation partners with Ajinomoto Foods Europe

Image supplied.

Fermentation

Standing Ovation Partners With Ajinomoto Foods Europe to Produce Animal-Free Caseins at Scale

Standing Ovation, a French biotech company specialising in precision fermentation applied to dairy proteins, has announced a long-term strategic partnership with Ajinomoto Foods Europe (AFE). AFE is an affiliate of Japan’s Ajinomoto Group with over 50 years of expertise in industrial fermentation. The goal of the partnership is to produce animal-free caseins at AFE’s biomanufacturing plant in Nesle, France. Standing Ovation has developed an animal-free casein powder called Advanced Casein® using patented precision fermentation technology. The ingredient can be used to create a variety of sustainable animal-free dairy products, including cheese, ice cream, yogurt, and foaming milk. These products retain the functional and sensory qualities of traditional dairy. Through the collaboration with AFE, Standing Ovation will gain access to large-scale manufacturing capabilities at a site …

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Lallemand Specialty Cultures

© Lallemand Specialty Cultures

Fermentation

Lallemand Specialty Cultures Contributes to Project Revolutionizing Plant-Based Cheese Through Fermentation

Lallemand Specialty Cultures, a unit of Canadian company Lallemand focused on solutions for cheese, fermented meats, and plant-based alternatives, has revealed its role in Bel Group’s Cocagne Project. The project will create fermented and ripened plant-based cheeses to enhance taste and nutrition, improve accessibility in price and distribution, and enable consumers to integrate plant-based foods into their diets without changing their habits. The research will focus on local, sustainable, and environmentally friendly plant-based ingredients. Lallemand Specialty Cultures will contribute its expertise in microbiology and fermentation, combined with extensive experience in developing cultures for the dairy and meat sectors. The company will select specialized cultures that enhance the flavor, texture, and safety of plant-based products, helping to meet the needs of the market and support its …

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les-nouveaux-affineurs-vegan-cheese-board

© Les Nouveaux Affineurs

Market & Trends

French Market for Plant-Based Alternatives Continues to Grow Despite Inflation

A new report by GFI Europe, based on retail data from Circana, has found that the French market for plant-based alternatives is still growing despite rising food prices. Between 2021 and 2023, plant-based value sales increased by 18%, while volume sales were up 2%. This was despite food price inflation reaching a record high of 15.9% in March 2023. The growth took the total value of the French plant-based market to €648 million in 2023. In some cases, inflation narrowed the price gap between plant-based products and their animal-based counterparts. Dairy-free yogurt was 66% more expensive than regular yogurt in 2021; now, the difference has reduced to 55%. Last year, figures showed that plant-based meat was approaching price parity with conventional meat in France because …

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Cultivated leather tissues under the microscope.

© Faircraft

Investments & Finance

French Cultivated Leather Startup Faircraft Secures €15M to Meet Demand for Ethical Materials

France’s Faircraft, a cultivated leather startup based in Paris, announces it has raised €15 million to expand its team and scale up operations to meet the increasing demand for sustainable materials. Faircraft was founded in 2021 by CEO Haïkel Balti, an engineer in materials science, and biochemist César Valencia Gallardo. Leveraging cell biology and unique tissue engineering techniques, they aim to offer a new class of materials with a lower environmental impact, starting with “real leather without the animal.” Kindred Ventures (USA), Cap Horn (France), BPI France, Blue Wire Capital (UK), Sake Bosch (Netherlands), Entrepreneur First (UK), Alliance for Impact (France), and Heirloom (USA), backed the startup’s sustainable leather in this round. “Lab-grown leather represents a major evolution that goes far beyond the fashion industry …

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The Laughing Cow garlic & herb

© Bel Group USA

Cheese Alternatives

Bel Group Announces Three-Year Collaborative Project to Develop Fermented Cheese Alternatives

Bel Group has partnered with agro-industrial group Avril, probiotic manufacturer Lallemand, and agri-food service provider Protial for a three-year project that aims to drive forward the development of fermented and aged plant-based cheese alternatives. The €9 million Cocagne Project will focus on developing minimally processed, nutritious, and environmentally friendly plant-based products that deliver on taste. Through the use of advanced fermentation and aging processes, Bel hopes to significantly improve on the taste and texture of existing plant-based cheeses, meeting consumer demand for healthier and tastier products. The initiative has received support from Bpifrance under the France 2030 program. The Cocagne Project will take place at Bel’s global RID center in Vendôme, France, which the company has announced will be expanded with the help of a …

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a photo of a foie producer presenting a whole duck liver

© Animal Equality

Politics & Law

Foie Gras Bans Gain Momentum in France as Pessac Becomes Latest City to Implement Restrictions 

Pessac has joined French municipalities, including Bordeaux, Poitiers, and Montpellier, in halting the service of foie gras at official functions, showcasing a growing sensitivity toward animal welfare in France. With this decision, Pessac, located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, has become the third city in the region to restrict foie gras, a traditional delicacy deeply tied to French culinary culture. Controversy surrounding foie gras Foie gras, derived from the fattened liver of ducks or geese, is traditionally produced through a method of force-feeding known as “gavage,” which has drawn criticism from animal welfare groups for its impact on the animals involved. This delicacy is widely popular in France, with 93% of the population consuming foie gras. The average French person consumes approximately 170 grams of the …

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Tristan Maurel, CEO and co-founder of SWAP, t

Tristan Maurel, © SWAP

Interviews

SWAP: “By Launching in North America, We’re Diversifying Our Presence and Positioning SWAP as a Global Leader in Plant-Based Protein”

French plant-based whole-cut producer Umiami announced its rebranding to SWAP last month, with the aim of facilitating the company’s expansion overseas. The new name, which doubles as a call to action encouraging consumers to opt for plant-based proteins, will support SWAP’s growth beyond plant-based chicken into other meat and fish alternatives. The company recently opened France’s first commercial-scale plant-based whole-cut factory and achieved B Corp status. Since its founding in 2020, SWAP has raised €100 million, aiming to scale operations, particularly targeting the US market. We spoke to Tristan Maurel, CEO and co-founder of SWAP, to find out about the rebranding and the company’s recently revealed Chicago launch. Can you walk us through the decision to rebrand from Umiami to SWAP? What does the new …

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Bon Vivant cow

© Bon Vivant

Company News

Bon Vivant Presents “Europe’s First” Peer Reviewed Life Cycle Analysis for Precision Fermentation Sector

Bon Vivant, a French producer of milk proteins through precision fermentation, has conducted what it claims to be the first peer-reviewed life cycle analysis in Europe for its precision fermentation products. Conducted by Lorie Hamelin, an independent expert from INRAE, the objective of the LCA was to determine the environmental impact of the milk proteins produced by Bon Vivant in comparison to conventional milk proteins. The company, which raised €15 million last October for its whey and casein proteins with plans to launch on the US market by 2025, previously conducted what it claimed to be the first European life cycle analysis of milk proteins produced by precision fermentation. This latest version, which has been scientifically verified by experts in their field, is framed as another …

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Accor Group, the largest in Europe and the sixth worldwide emphasized the importance of plant-based eating to reduce the group's carbon footprint and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

© Accor Group

Tourism & Travel

Europe’s Largest Hospitality Group, Accor Group, Expands Plant-Based Menus Across 5,500 Hotels, Aims for 50% Vegan by 2030

French multinational hospitality company Accor Group, the largest in Europe and the sixth worldwide, has highlighted the importance of plant-based eating to reduce the group’s carbon footprint and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. As part of its sustainability strategy, the group plans to offer plant-based options at all its hotels in the coming years, and it additionally targets having 50% of menu items plant-based by 2030, in line with the global “Good Food Feels Great” policy. The news was shared by Antonietta Varlese, Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Communication Accor Americas, who released a press release on social media, revealing that the company already offers plant-based options in 72% of its hotels in the Americas. “On World Vegan Day, celebrated today, we reflect on …

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AMSilk new partnership

© AMSilk

Materials

AMSilk and Ajinomoto Join Forces to Advance Bio-Based Silk Proteins for High-Performance, Biodegradable Textiles

German biotech company AMSilk GmbH has entered into a long-term partnership with Ajinomoto Foods Europe, an affiliate of the Ajinomoto Group, to manufacture biobased silk proteins at large scale for biodegradable textiles. The collaboration will leverage Ajinomoto’s extensive industrial expertise in precision fermentation and its strategically located site in Nesle, France. The facility is close to AMSilk’s key customers in the premium textiles and consumer goods industries. Additionally, it uses local raw materials and renewable energy, aligning with AMSilk’s commitment to sustainable business practices. Hiroshi Kaneko, President of Ajinomoto Foods Europe, shared: “We are thrilled to partner with AMSilk and are committed to accelerating the market development of their innovative products by supporting their large-scale biomanufacturing efforts. Together, we aspire to create a substantial economic and social …

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Vital Meat's cultivated chicken with rice

Image courtesy of Vital Meat

Company News

Singapore Tasting of Cultivated Chicken Marks Milestone in Vital Meat’s Path to Approval

Vital Meat, a cultivated meat startup based in Nantes, France, held the first tasting event for its flagship ingredient, Vital Chicken, in Singapore last week in partnership with Hue Restaurant. The exclusive tasting gathered 30 people, including investors, industry players, Singapore officials, French community representatives, and cultivated meat industry leaders, according to the announcement. Chef Jun Hao, a renowned chef blending traditional Thai flavors with modern twists, designed dishes to showcase the versatility of Vital Meat’s chicken in everyday recipes. Guests were treated to a three-course menu combining traditional Singaporean flavors: chicken skin chips, “offering a delightful crunch;” a delicate Vital Chicken broth paired with handmade ravioli infused with traditional local spices; and chicken rice, a flavorful Singaporean classic. Tastings, a crucial step before approval The …

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Ferments de Futur infographic

© Ferments de Futur

Fermentation

Ferments du Futur Opens New Innovation Centre for Future Food in France

Ferments du Futur is a unique European public-private partnership to accelerate research and development in the field of healthy and sustainable food of the future through fermentation technologies. Two years after its official launch in December 2022, Ferments du Futur has opened an innovation centre in the heart of the Paris-Saclay science and innovation cluster. The state-of-the-art centre is open to all and will help accelerate research and innovation in one of the most promising areas for the future of food. The project was made possible through the work of dozens of action-orientated public and private partners. Focus groups, multi-year meetings and many informal discussions helped build strong momentum for action that identified key areas where innovation should be accelerated and scientific and technological breakthroughs …

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Petit Navire launches plant-based seafood in collaboration with ALGAMA Foods

© Petit Navire

Products & Launches

French Seafood Brand Petit Navire Launches Plant-Based Range in Collaboration With ALGAMA Foods

French seafood brand Petit Navire (owned by Thai Union) has partnered with microalgae startup ALGAMA Foods to launch a new range of plant-based fish products. Called Cap Végétal, the range includes canned marinated plant-based fish in the flavours Olives & Oregano, Lemon & Thyme, and Tomatoes & Herbs. The fish alternatives are made from wheat and soy combined with algae oil and sea lettuce, providing a rich source of protein and omega 3. The range also features two ready-to-eat salads made with the plant-based fish; the first contains bulgur wheat, chickpeas, red peppers, and pumpkin seeds, while the second includes lentils, corn, peas, and peppers. The Cap Végétal products will be available exclusively at Carrefour from this month. “With nearly three years of research and …

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SWAP plant-based chicken fillet

© SWAP

Company News

Umiami Announces Strategic Rebrand to SWAP as It Pursues International Expansion

Umiami, a pioneering French producer of plant-based whole cuts, has announced that it is rebranding to SWAP as it targets international expansion. The new name has been described as a “key strategic move”, since it is easy for international audiences to understand. It is also intended as a call to action, encouraging consumers to swap meat for plant-based alternatives. The rebrand is accompanied by a new brand tagline — “SWAP. For the love of it”. The versatility of the name will allow SWAP to expand beyond plant-based chicken fillets, its current focus, into other types of meat and fish alternatives. The company says the rebrand reflects its ambition to compete with leading traditional meat brands. “SWAP perfectly represents our mission: to provide consumers with the …

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McPlant nuggets

© McDonald's

Fast Food

McDonald’s France Launches McPlant Nuggets in Collaboration With Beyond Meat

McDonald’s France has partnered with Beyond Meat to launch a new menu option, Veggie McPlant Nuggets, at its 1,560 restaurants. The nuggets are made from pea protein and coated in a wheat and cornflour breading. They are available at the same price as McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets, and in the same formats (x4, x6, x9, and x20). As reported by Le Figaro, consumers responded very positively to the nuggets in taste tests, favourably comparing them to the meat-based McNuggets. The fast food chain said it was confident that the product would be a success. While McDonald’s has previously offered meat-free options in France, they have often been limited-edition, and unsuitable for vegans due to the inclusion of dairy or eggs. In contrast, the new nuggets are …

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