Italy

Dreamfarm

© Dreamfarm
Products & Launches

Dreamfarm Unveils Mini Plant-Based Mozzarella at Tuttofood Fair in Milan

Italian plant-based cheese producer Dreamfarm is set to unveil a mini version of its popular mozzarella alternative at Tuttofood fair in Milan, which takes place from today (May 5) to May 8. Called Ciliegine, the product is made with the same clean-label recipe as Dreamfarm’s regular almond-based mozzarella alternative and has a Nutriscore of A. Each pack contains 12 mini mozzarella-style bites, designed for summer salads and cold appetizers. The launch comes as Dreamfarm strengthens its presence in the Italian market; the brand has gained listings at Coop Alleanza, Alì, and several Conad cooperatives. Additionally, Dreamfarm has entered a partnership with one of Italy’s leading food-service distributors, DAC, to bring its products into professional kitchens across the country. The company aims to more than double …

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Arsenale Bioyards

© Arsenale Bioyards
Fermentation

Investors Back Arsenale Bioyards with $10M to Scale AI-Driven Precision Fermentation

Arsenale Bioyards has raised $10 million in seed financing to support its efforts in reducing biomanufacturing costs and accelerating industrial-scale adoption of bio-based alternatives. The funding round was led by Planet A and byFounders, with additional participation from CDP Ventures, Acequia Capital, Plug and Play, Gray Silo Ventures, and several industrial family offices. The company focuses on optimizing precision fermentation, a process that utilizes microorganisms such as yeast or bacteria to produce proteins and other compounds. While this technology has been widely applied in pharmaceuticals, its expansion into food and cosmetics has been constrained by high production costs. Arsenale’s end-to-end biomanufacturing platform integrates industrial-scale bioreactors with AI-driven software to reduce costs and time-to-market, with the company projecting cost reductions of up to 90%. Scaling from …

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Solar Foods and KelpEat

© Solar Foods
Sweets & Snacks

KelpEat Introduces Crackers Featuring Solein Fermented Protein and Eu-Farmed Seaweed

Italian algae startup KelpEat has announced the launch of a new high-protein snack made with Solein®, a microbial protein developed by Finnish food tech company Solar Foods. The crackers, which also incorporate EU-farmed seaweed, will be presented at the Pitti Taste food fair in Florence from February 8–10. Solein is a protein produced through a fermentation process using air and electricity, making it independent of agriculture, climate conditions, and land use. When combined with dried kelp, the resulting crackers contain over 35% protein, a full amino acid profile, and key nutrients such as vitamins B12 and B9, calcium, magnesium, and antioxidants. According to Luca Cerruti, CEO of KelpEat, “Using Solein enables us to create a truly disruptive innovation—one that delivers complete nutrition, environmental responsibility, and …

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Dreamfarm Ricotta

Image courtesy of Dreamfarm
Products & Launches

Dreamfarm Launches Vegan Ricotta Crafted from Almonds and Cashews, First Into Italy Then Beyond

Dreamfarm, a startup from Parma known for fermenting nuts to craft nutritious cheese alternatives, announces the launch of its latest product development; a creamy vegan ricotta that launches next week into Italy’s Esselunga supermarkets, a chain that operates around 180 stores across the traditionally cheese-loving country. Speaking to vegconomist today, CEO Giovanni Menozzi reveals that the ricotta, crafted from a blend of almonds and cashews, will become available throughout Italy on the 28th of October and is then set to roll out into further EU markets. The new alternative is said to deliver the authentic flavor and creamy texture of ricotta and can be enjoyed independently or used in sweet and savory recipes, “adding a creamy touch and flavor to every dish.” For the launch, …

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Giulia Casarini, Sales Leader EMEA Bioprocessing equipment © SOLARIS™ BIOTECH by Donaldson
Interviews

Solaris Biotech: “We are Deeply Passionate About the Alternative Protein Sector and its Transformative Potential”

In our latest interview, Giulia Casarini, Sales Leader EMEA at Solaris Biotech, discusses the evolving landscape of alternative protein production and the future of bioprocessing technology. Solaris Biotech specializes in delivering advanced technology solutions for the entire range of processes in the bioprocessing industry. Casarini offers insights into Solaris Biotech’s approach to supporting the alternative protein sector and shares her perspective on the trends shaping the industry. Can you elaborate on your unique selling proposition and how you differentiate yourselves from competitors in this space? At Solaris, we are deeply passionate about the alternative protein sector and its transformative potential for sustainability in the food industry. Our commitment to a more sustainable future drives us to collaborate with companies, research centers, and universities to pioneer …

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The Italian beef trader Gruppo Tonazzo, a family business for five generations, announced it would discontinue its meat business at the end of this year.

© Tonazzo Group
Company News

Gruppo Tonazzo Shuts Down Meat Business to Focus on Plant Proteins: “We Feel a Deep Responsibility to Future Generations”

The Italian beef trader Gruppo Tonazzo, a family business for five generations, announced it would discontinue its meat business at the end of this year. The company said it would focus solely on plant proteins and expand its plant-based brand, Kioene, which was introduced almost 40 years ago and, today, is among the market’s leaders, offering over 100 products. As reported by local media, the company’s meat facilities in Villanova di Camposampiero will specialize in producing high-quality vegetable and legume-based foods. Employees involved in the meat division can transition to roles within the plant-based business, ensuring job continuity. A long-term vision According to Tonazzo’s leadership, the strategic decision reflects a long-term vision to address the environmental impact of meat and promote healthy diets for future …

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BiotoBio acquired by Probios

© BiotoBio
Investments & Acquisitions

Probios Acquires BiotoBio in “Most Important M&A Transaction of the Year” in Food Health & Wellness

The Italian company Probios announces the acquisition of BiotoBio with the support of Agreen Capital. Probios aims to strengthen its position in the European health and wellness food sector via BiotoBio, a leading Italian supplier of organic, healthy and natural foods and cosmetics. The acquired portfolio includes the brands Baule Volante, Finestra sul Cielo, Fior di Loto, and Vivibio. According to Probios’ management, this is a “transformative” deal and an important step in the strategic plan of Probios and Agreen Capital to consolidate a leading centre for organic, healthy and natural food in Europe. Probios’ previous investor, EcorNaturaSì, will retain a minority stake. “This acquisition – the most important M&A transaction of the year so far in the Food Health & Wellness sector – will …

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Italy's Comprital has launched a new product line called of PURE VEGAN for ice cream manufacturers that believe vegan and lactose intolerance consumers should not have to compromise on taste.

Image courtesy of Comprital

Sweets & Snacks

Comprital Unveils PURE VEGAN Line for Ethical and Lactose-Free Ice Cream

Italy’s Comprital, a leading innovator in the ice cream and pastry ingredients market, has launched a new product line called PURE VEGAN for ice cream manufacturers who believe that vegan and lactose-intolerant consumers should not compromise on taste. The range includes three clean-label, lactose-free bases: PURE VEGAN P.Z., designed to be flavored with only sugar pastes; PURE VEGAN P.G., intended to be flavored only with fat pastes; and PURE VEGAN CHOCOLATE, a base with high percentages of chocolate powder and low-fat cocoa powder. PURE VEGAN features natural ingredients such as cane sugar and fibers, including chicory, citrus, and bamboo, and contains zero artificial flavorings. According to the company’s R&D team, the line’s three technically different bases were designed to ensure an “authentic and satisfying experience” …

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Valsoia Super Burger

© Valsoia
Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Majority of Italians Support Using ‘Meaty’ Terms in Plant-Based Products Labels

A new survey by YouGov on plant-based product labels in Italy, commissioned by the Good Food Institute Europe, reveals that 68% of Italian consumers believe companies should be able to use “meaty” terms freely for plant-based products. At the same time, 69% believe that terms like ‘hamburger’ and ‘milk’ are appropriate for describing plant-based products, and only 21% feel these terms should be restricted because they could confuse consumers. Francesca Gallelli, Public Affairs Consultant at the Good Food Institute Europe, shared, “Our survey confirms that consumers understand terms like plant-based sausage and ham and that the ban on meat-sounding terms does not introduce any necessary protections; on the contrary, it is bound to create confusion, complicating access to products that play a key role in diversifying …

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Study aims to boost legume crop yields in Italy

© LEG-ITA
Agriculture / Agribusiness

Study Aims to Boost Legume Crop Yields in Italy, Improving Plant Protein Self-Sufficiency

According to LEG-ITA, a project working to increase legume crop yields in Italy, less than 5% of European utilised agricultural area is devoted to grain legumes. Consequently, European self-sufficiency in plant proteins is poor, with the region relying mainly on imported soybeans. To address this, a two-year LEG-ITA study conducted in partnership with the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies aims to identify key factors influencing the yield stability of grain legumes. Low yield stability is one of the most prominent reasons why farmers prefer other crops, and solving this issue could incentivise more growers to choose legumes. In turn, this could play an important role in improving the sustainability of the food system. The researchers will collect data on growing conditions for grain legumes, cultural …

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Heura launches at Esselunga

© Heura
Retail & E-Commerce

Heura Launches at Leading Northern Italian Retailer Esselunga, Expands Presence in UK & Netherlands

Spanish plant-based meat brand Heura has announced that it is launching at Esselunga, a leading supermarket chain in Northern Italy. Heura products will be available at 173 Esselunga stores, expanding the brand’s Italian presence. The country is currently Heura’s third-largest market after Spain and France; total turnover reached €800,000 last year, and this figure is expected to double in 2024. Additionally, Heura has strengthened its partnerships with UK supermarket chain Waitrose and Dutch retailer Jumbo, gaining listings for its plant-based burger. The three new collaborations total 1,200 points of sale, and are part of Heura’s plan to establish strategic alliances with leading retail chains. In the past year alone, Heura has formed agreements with France’s Intermarché, Portugal’s Auchan, Italy’s Pam, and Belgium’s Colruyt. Heura’s turnover …

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Ferrero to launch plant-based Nutella

© Ferrero/Nutella
Products & Launches

Ferrero to Launch Plant-Based Nutella in Italy

Italian multinational confectionery company Ferrero has revealed that it will launch plant-based Nutella in Italy this autumn. The announcement comes as Ferrero celebrates the 60th year of the iconic chocolate hazelnut spread. According to askanews, the new spread was presented to retailers earlier this month at the NielsenIQ event Linkontro in Sardinia. The recipe is reportedly very similar to the original, aside from the fact that milk powder has been replaced with an as-yet unconfirmed plant-based ingredient. Original Nutella will remain available. The plant-based Nutella is said to be aimed at flexitarians and lactose-intolerant people, and will reportedly be certified vegan. However, it appears that the spread will still contain palm oil, a controversial ingredient among ethical consumers. “We like to be a partner of …

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Single feather isolated on white background

© schankz -stock.adobe.com
Cultivated Meat

Updated: Italy’s “Feather to Meat” Project Expands to Larger-Scale Cultivated Chicken Trials

Update: We have been contacted by Remo Nannetti, manager of the Save The Chickens Foundation, who wishes to highlight other facts about the Feather to Meat Project, as follows: The project, which began at the end of 2022 and will end at the end of this year or the beginning of 2025, is halfway through the research, indicating that industrial production is possible. Building on the positive outcomes (described in the piece below), the researchers are now focusing on expediting the practical applications of their findings. To do so, they are preparing the documentation to start the European Food Safety Authority certification procedure while seeking to quickly conduct production tests with industrial partners. The next phase involves establishing immortalized cell lines and adapting cell multiplication …

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Italian startups address cocoa supply chain crisis

© Foreverland
Sweets & Snacks

Italian Startups Address Cocoa Supply Chain Crisis Through Innovative Technology

The cocoa supply chain is in crisis, with the cost of raw materials rising by as much as 30-40% and retail prices increasing by 15%. This is largely driven by climate change, which is causing rising temperatures and reduced precipitation — especially in Ghana and Ivory Coast, which together produce around 60% of the world’s cocoa. These factors, combined with seasonal floods, have allowed diseases and parasites that attack cocoa crops to proliferate. Simultaneously, child labour in the industry is on the rise, increasing from 31% to 45% in West Africa between 2008 and 2019; an estimated 1.5 million children are now being exploited in the region. Geopolitical instability and increases in transportation and energy costs are introducing further challenges. These issues have highlighted the …

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Vegan cured ham by Biolab.

© Biolab
Politics & Law

Italy Signals Willingness to Revisit Plant-Based Labelling Restrictions Following Industry Feedback

Two days ago, France issued a decree prohibiting companies from using familiar food names such as ‘salami’ or ‘steak’ to protect consumers from confusing plant-based products with animal foods.  Italy passed a similar ban last November, also arguing that plant-based meat labels mislead and confuse consumers. Nonetheless, the government is open to reconsidering its restrictions (which are yet to be enforced) if they hurt Italian businesses.  As reported by local media, the government is negotiating with Unione Italian Food, which represents the plant-based food sector, to work together to reach a mutual agreement on how to label alternatives to meat. During previous talks, he emphasized that his goal is not to harm Italian companies but to balance business interests and consumer protection.  “We intended to open a discussion …

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© Neat
Fast Food

Neat Burger Announces Rebrand to “Neat” with New Look and Focus on Fresh, Healthy Ingredients

Plant-based fast food concept Neat Burger has announced that it will rebrand to Neat, rolling out a new menu featuring “brighter, healthier and fresher” ingredients. The rebrand is a response to customer feedback and will feature a new look and feel at physical locations, along with the removal of self-service tablets in favor of more interactive customer service. In terms of menu offerings, the change will cater to growing consumer preferences for natural, whole food plant-based meals. The new concept was soft-launched at Neat Victoria and Neat Soho yesterday, February 12, and will officially open at these locations, along with Neat Camden, on February 19. Neat Wembley, along with the chain’s international locations in New York City and Milan, will follow later in the year. …

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© GOURMEY and Romain Buisson
Politics & Law

Italian Cultivated Meat Ban Could Be “Unenforceable” Due to Violation of EU Scrutiny Procedure

The European Commission has said that Italy violated an EU scrutiny procedure by banning cultivated meat without allowing other member states or the Commission itself to give their views. The Italian government first proposed the ban in March of last year, citing a lack of studies on the effects of cultivated meat. In October, it was revealed that a draft law proposing the ban had been withdrawn from EU scrutiny, along with another bill to restrict the use of meat-like terms on plant-based product packaging. The controversial bills were then passed by the Italian Chamber of Deputies in November. According to the European Commission, the draft laws should have been subjected to the TRIS procedure, which is intended to prevent national parliaments from passing bills …

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Mogu has secured €11 million to develop high-quality mycelium solutions for the fashion, interior design, and automotive industries.

© Mogu
Investments & Finance

Italy’s Mogu Raises €11M to Expand Mycelium Materials for Interior Design, Fashion, and Cars

Mogu Srl, an Italian material innovation firm, announces that it has secured €11 million in Series A funding to develop high-quality mycelium solutions for the interior design, fashion, and automotive industries. The company also shares that it will rebrand in a few weeks as SQIM, its widely recognized name. CDP Venture Capital and ECBF VC co-led round with the additional participation of Kering Ventures and previous investor Progress Tech Transfer. The new capital will allow the company to capitalize on its proprietary technological platform by scaling to industrial volumes. In addition, Mogu will further R&D projects in material innovation, open a new demo production plant, and expand its team, “attracting and retaining premier industry talents.” Maurizio Montalti, Chief Mycelium Officer and co-founder of Mogu/SQIM, comments: “This …

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It's Bio gardeners with bee graphic

© It's Bio
Agriculture / Agribusiness

The European Project ‘It’s Bio’ in Dialogue with Roberto Pinton: “Organic Agriculture Provides Public Goods”

Roberto Pinton, internationally renowned organic expert and two-time member of the IFOAM executive, talks about the role of organic beyond simple food production. Giving value to sustainable production, boosting consumption, investing for a greener world, and promoting agriculture capable of reducing the impact on the climate are some of the fundamental issues that concern the future of our planet as put forward at COP28. It’s Bio is a project financed by the European Union and Aop Gruppo Vi.Va and intended for consumers in Italy, Belgium, and Greece, with participating companies Almaverde Bio, Apofruit, Codma OP, Ca’ Nova, Coop Sole, AOP La Mongolfiera, OrtoRomi and OP Terre di Bari. “Organic agriculture provides public goods: it is the only production sector that has this role officially recognised: …

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Foreverland cocoa-free pralines

© Foreverland
Sweets & Snacks

Italy’s Foreverland Launches Pralines & Panettone Made With Cocoa-Free Chocolate

Italian food tech startup Foreverland has launched Freecao, a brand of cocoa-free chocolate made from Italian carob. Carob is a legume that was historically eaten in challenging times when cocoa was not available. Despite having a similar taste to chocolate, carob production does not have any of the issues associated with cocoa production, such as slavery, deforestation, and child labour. Additionally, carob has health benefits such as a low glycemic index, high antioxidant content, and high levels of nutrients such as fibre. It is free of caffeine, gluten, and all major allergens. Italy is the world’s second-largest producer of carob, a resilient crop that can grow in very dry conditions. Produced using innovative technologies, Freecao is said to generate 80% fewer emissions and require 90% …

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