Italy

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

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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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Plant based grilled burger patty with grill marks and rock salt isolated on white. Top view.

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Ingredients

HIFOOD and Alianza Team Introduce Revolutionary Fat Alternative to Tropical Oils for Better Plant-Based Meat

HIFOOD and Alianza Team Europe have developed an innovative, clean-label, plant-based fat alternative to tropical oils and chemical emulsions. The companies claim that the new product improves the taste and texture of plant-based meat, allowing manufacturers to make realistic alternatives. The Italian company HIFOOD, a CSM Ingredients subsidiary, specializes in researching, developing, and producing natural ingredients. Alianza Team Europe, headquartered in Germany, is the European division of the Colombian multinational vegetable fats and oils company Alianza Team. MirrorTissue Using MirrorTissue, a plant-based lipid solution by Alianza Team, and HIFOOD’s proprietary proteins, plant fibers, and technologies, the companies developed a protein emulsion with superior performance.  Made with a blend of allergen-free plant proteins, soluble plant fibers from oilseeds, and local oils and fats, the new enhanced product contains 10% more natural ingredients than …

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Stella McCartney and Veuve Clicquot partner to recycle grape waste and make luxury vegan leather.

© VEGEA/Stella McCartney
Fashion, Design & Beauty

Stella McCartney Partners with Champagne House Veuve Clicquot to Turn Grape Waste Into Luxurious Vegan Leather 

British designer Stella McCartney and the famous champagne house Veuve Clicquot have partnered to recycle grape waste to make a luxurious vegan leather with sustainability credentials. The two brands are subsidiaries of LVMH (Louis Vuitton-Moët-Hennessy), the world’s leading luxury group, which reportedly gets one-third of its revenues from fashion and leather goods. In April 2023, LVMH was in news headlines, named as the first European company to reach a $500bn valuation. Stella McCartney states that with this initiative, both companies are pursuing sustainable, circular economy, and regenerative practices under the umbrella and luxury standards of LVMH. The environmental impact of animal leather is immense, with animal agriculture contributing to an estimated 11-17% of the world’s GHG emissions, argues the fashion brand. VEGEA’s grape skin The Italian …

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Valsoia award-winning gelato

© Valsoia
Company News

Valsoia: Pioneering Plant-Based Foods & Award-Winning Gelato From Italy

Valsoia is an Italian brand founded in 1990 by neurologist Lorenzo Sassoli, who believed that a balanced plant-based diet is beneficial for the body, well-being, and mood. The company aims to improve quality of life by producing healthier alternatives to traditional Italian foods, with no sacrifice in flavour or texture. Valsoia initially offered plant-based drinks, hazelnut spreads, and meat alternatives, before expanding into yogurts and gelato. Valsoia’s meat and dairy alternatives are now widely available across major Italian retailers, and have expanded into over 40 countries. In Sweden, Spain, and Germany, they are available at stores such as Coop, Bon Preu, El Corte Ingles, Carrefour, and Rewe; in the UK, the brand has launched at online supermarket Ocado. Valsoia is also seeing successful sales results …

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Italy bans cultivated meat.

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Politics & Law

Italian Government Passes Bills to Ban Cultivated Meat & Use of Meat-Like Terms for Plant-Based Alternatives

The Italian Chamber of Deputies has finally passed a controversial bill banning the production and marketing of cultivated meat in the country. Additionally, the chamber has lawfully signed another bill prohibiting the use of meat-related terms like ‘salami’ or ‘steak’ for plant-based meat alternatives, thus directly affecting numerous companies in the plant-based sector. Ivo Rzegotta, Senior Public Affairs Manager at the Good Food Institute Europe, states in response: “This law not only deprives consumers of choice, but also isolates Italy from further investment and future-proof jobs in this growing sector. The debate on cultured meat in Italy has been fuelled by misinformation, as the Senate hearings have deliberately excluded companies and proponents of cultured meat, while leaving plenty of room for inaccurate claims by avowed opponents …

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Italian company Biolab launches new products in BILLA PLUS, Austria

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Retail & E-Commerce

Biolab Expands into Austria with Billa Plus Listings for Vegan Cold Cuts and Seitan

Biolab, an Italian company specializing in vegan cold cuts, has expanded into Austria after securing listings with the supermarket chain Billa Plus. Three products under two different brands — Liveg’s vegetable pastrami slices, Biolab’s vegetable carpaccio slices, and  Biolab’s seitan — have already launched in 150 stores across Austria. All the products, made with Italian organic wheat gluten, are said to be rich in protein, a source of fiber, and low in carbs.   Biolab, a pioneer in the plant-based food industry, has been in operation for over thirty years. The company was founded by Massimo Santinelli in 1991 after discovering the health benefits of macrobiotic and vegetarian cuisine.  Since its inception, Biolab has focused on producing organic plant-based foods, sourcing most of its ingredients from its …

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Neat Burger

© Neat Burger
Fast Food

Neat Burger Continues its Epic Expansion with First-Ever Italian Location

The UK vegan fast food chain Neat Burger, backed by the famous animal and environmental activists Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton and actor Leonardo DiCaprio, has gained media attention in Italy. As revealed by local newspapers, the first-ever Neat Burger in Italy will open its doors in Milan on November 15, 2023. The new restaurant will be inside Merlata Bloom, a newly opened mega mall in Cascina Merlata, a district of the Northern city. The chain will offer its popular menu of plant-based versions of all-American classics, including burgers, shakes, wraps, and sandwiches. However, to make it more local, the chain will introduce Italian products, such as pesto and mozzarella, said Italy24. Moreover, according to Green Me, the Milanese eatery will feature table service, taking inspiration …

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© Dreamfarm
Investments & Acquisitions

Italy’s Dreamfarm Raises €5M for “Groundbreaking” Almond-Based Mozzarella

Italian plant-based cheese startup Dreamfarm has secured €5 million in investment from accomplished food industry entrepreneurs Giampaolo Cagnin and Francesco Mutti. The funding comes after the company achieved a “groundbreaking milestone” by developing a unique almond-based mozzarella alternative. Like conventional dairy mozzarella, the plant-based cheese is sold as a ball suspended in liquid. According to Dreamfarm, it is the first plant-based mozzarella to ever achieve government-certified liquid status. The product also contains less than 1% saturated fat, far lower than conventional mozzarella and other plant-based alternatives. It is made from Italian almonds and has received a Nutriscore of A, the highest possible rating. New facility and expansion Some of the funding has already been used to establish a production facility in Sala Baganza, equipped with …

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Montecitorio Palace, seat of Italian parliament

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Politics & Law

Italy Withdraws Controversial Bills to Ban Cultivated Meat & Restrict Plant-Based Meat Labels from EU Scrutiny 

According to the Good Food Institute Europe, the Italian government has withdrawn two draft laws from being considered by the European Union: the bill proposing a ban on the production and marketing of cultivated meat and a law to restrict the use of terms such as “salami” or “steak” in plant-based meat labels. The proposed bill to ban cell-based foods aims to “protect” the country’s culture and food heritage from technological innovations, and the labeling restrictions, as noted in the draft, are measures to “avoid misleading nutritional claims” by plant-based meat companies. Due to their potential impact on the region’s market, the European Commission and member states had to examine the draft laws before their adoption to assess their alignment with EU law, through a …

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Hen running on grass

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Science

These Italian Researchers Are Developing Chicken Meat From a Feather

Researchers from an Italian university are studying how to obtain chicken meat from a feather. The project taking place via professors Luciano Conti and Stefano Maria Biressi at the University of Trento was assigned and financed by the Italian Save the Chickens Foundation, which contacts vegconomist with the news. Researcher Nike Schiavo, MSc Biotechnology, is overseeing the experiments for the project and is currently completing the draft report, according to the foundation’s representative. She explains that cells are obtained from “feathers obtained through petting the chick” rather than from feathers that have fallen to the ground spontaneously. “The cells that we manage to extract from the feathers grow well and so far we have managed to expand them for a few months, obtaining tens of …

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Spiber / Cavia brewed materials

© Spiber Inc.
Textiles

Cavia Presents New Brewed Protein Materials in Cooperation with Spiber

Spiber‘s Brewed Protein fiber was selected by Kering’s Material Innovation Lab (MIL) and Fondazione Pitti Discovery for the 7th edition of “S|Style sustainable style”. A collection was exhibited at Pitti Immagine Uomo from 13 to 16 June. The exhibition project “S|Style sustainable style” presented by Fondazione Pitti Discovery attracted top international buyers and media representatives and provided a platform for ten international and diverse fashion brands selected from around the world by journalist and curator of L’Officiel Italia, Giorgia Cantarini. According to the organizers, the ten emerging brands from the fashion industry embody “a harmonious blend of social awareness and environmental responsibility while maintaining creativity and design”. “The brewed-protein materials developed by Spiber are a powerful example of how technology can reduce the fashion industry’s …

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© Dreamfarm
Cheese Alternatives

Dreamfarm Develops Healthy Plant-Based Italian Cheeses Made From Almonds

After two years of R&D, Italian startup Dreamfarm is set to enter the dairy alternatives market with plant-based mozzarella and spreadable cheese. Made from Mediterranean almond paste, the cheeses are low in saturated fat and are said to be better for the planet than dairy cheese. They are also free of many of the ingredients used in other plant-based cheese brands, such as coconut oil and modified starch. The products have received a Nutriscore of A (the highest possible) in recognition of their nutritional benefits. “After two years of testing, we are very satisfied with the first two products we are bringing to the market. It wasn’t easy to create healthy plant-based alternatives to two iconic Italian products while maintaining a similar texture,” said co-founder …

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GOOD_Meat_Cultivated_Chicken_at_the_Butchery

© GOOD Meat
Politics & Law

Italian Agriculture Minister Declares “Slush” Cell-Based Foods a Threat to Italian Culinary Heritage

Italy‘s Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida told Reuters that lab-grown food is potentially dangerous for human health, calling it a “slush” that would never taste like natural meat or fish. A member of the Brothers of Italy party led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Lollobrigida leads the renamed “Ministry for Agriculture and Food Sovereignty”. Erasing our culture tied to the land Arguing that consumption of cell-based products has not been proven to be safe, Italy’s government approved a bill to ban the production and sale of “synthetic foods” in Italy this March. The ban, which still needs to pass parliament, aims to protect the country’s culture and food heritage from technological innovations.  In 2020, Singapore became the first country in the world to approve cultivated chicken made …

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Tenderloin steak Redefine Meat

Tenderloin ©Redefine Meat
Food Service

Redefine Meat to Be Served at All 29 Enchilada Locations in Germany & Multiple Restaurants Across Italy

Redefine Meat announces the launch of its Redefine Burger at all 29 Enchilada restaurants in Germany, as well as the commercial launch of its New-Meat at several restaurants in Italy. Daniel Gantenberg, CEO of Enchilada Franchise AG, recently ranked 4th in the ProVeg ranking of vegan-friendly restaurant chains, explains, “The demand for plant-based alternatives is growing, both among vegans and vegetarians, but also increasingly among flexitarians who are looking for high-quality plant-based alternatives without having to sacrifice the taste of meat.” The New-Meat products, created with non-GMO plant-based ingredients using “a range of breakthrough technologies, ranging from material science and additive manufacturing to artificial intelligence and machine learning”, are now available at thousands of food service providers across the UK, Germany, Netherlands, France, Austria, Sweden, …

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