UK

Smoky tempeh block

© Tiba Tempeh
Products & Launches

Tiba Tempeh Launches Smoky Tempeh Block, Gains Waitrose Listing

UK brand Tiba Tempeh has announced the launch of a new product, Smoky Tempeh Block. Infused with a smoky marinade, the tempeh can be used to add flavour to a variety of dishes, including stir-fries, pastas, and sandwiches. Tiba Tempeh also reports that it has secured a listing at supermarket chain Waitrose for three of its products — Original Block, Sweet Chilli Pieces, and the new Smoky Block. The products will initially launch at over 200 stores under Waitrose’s BrandsNew innovation platform, which identifies and nurtures exciting new FMCG brands. “We’re so excited to launch our new Smoky Tempeh as a natural extension to our best-selling Original Block,” said Alexandra Longton, co-founder of Tiba Tempeh. “We’ve crafted the tastiest protein-packed tempeh, which we know consumers …

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Natural Innovations

CEO Matt Wood and commercial director Tom Edwards. © Natural Innovations
Ingredients

Plant-Led Ingredients Supplier Freshcut Foods Rebrands to Natural Innovations

Freshcut Foods, a UK-based company supplying plant-led ingredients to the food industry, has announced it is rebranding to Natural Innovations. The change is said to mark the next stage of the company’s growth journey, as it increasingly focuses on food innovation and helping business customers adjust to changing consumer preferences. Natural Innovations has been supplying ingredients to global foodservice brands, food manufacturers, and recipe box providers for over 20 years, and the company says it has established itself as a clear market leader in bespoke, chef-led ingredients. The new name is accompanied by refreshed branding and an updated website. “After more than two decades of successfully growing Freshcut Foods, this new approach is a natural evolution of our company, reflecting our ambition for growth, commitment …

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Ivy Farm Technologies

Gail Francis © Ivy Farm Technologies
Company News

Ivy Farm Appoints Gail Francis to Lead Commercial Efforts for Premium Cultivated Wagyu Beef

Ivy Farm Technologies has appointed Gail Francis as its new Vice President of Commercial, effective immediately. Francis brings over 30 years of experience in the global food industry, having held leadership roles in major food manufacturers, brands, and startups across the UK, Europe, and international markets. Prior to joining Ivy Farm, Francis served as Director of Business Growth & Delivery at Naylor Nutrition. In this role, she was instrumental in securing investment for a plant-based production facility and helping to shape the company’s market strategy. “I’m excited to join Ivy Farm, a company at the forefront of the cultivated meat sector. As the food industry works to meet net-zero targets, cultivated meat will play a vital role in reducing emissions and shifting the food system …

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Hollywood Bowl

© Hollywood Bowl
Food Service

Hollywood Bowl Launches the Beyond Burger UK-Wide in Time for the Easter Holidays

Hollywood Bowl Group, the operator of bowling brand Hollywood Bowl and Putt & Play mini-golf centres, has announced the introduction of the Beyond Burger at all its UK locations. In a launch timed for the Easter school holidays, the meat-free burger arrived at 71 Hollywood Bowl centres and four Putt & Play locations on April 2. It aims to cater to the growing demand for plant-based options among families and groups. The Beyond Burger joins Hollywood Bowl’s Main Features line-up and costs £6.79. It is served in a brioche-style bun with lettuce and tomato. By default, the burger comes with fries, which are not vegan; however, customers can swap these for tortilla chips to make their meals fully plant-based. Extra toppings such as crispy onions …

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Beyond Meat La Vie

© Beyond Meat X La Vie
Marketing & Media

Beyond Meat and La Vie’s ‘Brandmance’ Leads to New Burger and Joint Campaign in the UK

Beyond Meat and La Vie, two leading plant-based food companies, have announced a new partnership following a playful exchange on social media. The brands, which focus on plant-based meat alternatives, have come together to promote animal welfare and encourage consumers to explore plant-based options through a joint marketing effort. The collaboration includes the launch of Beyond Meat’s “All Taste, No Worries” campaign, which features Barbara the cow. This campaign follows a similar approach to La Vie’s “Relax, it’s plant-based” campaign, which showcased Leon the pig. Both advertisements center on a scenario in which a person prepares a meaty dish, only for the animal typically associated with that meat to appear anxious. The twist comes when the viewer learns the meal is actually plant-based, aligning both …

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Libby Peppiatt The Vegan Society

Libby Peppiatt © The Vegan Society
Company News

The Vegan Society Appoints Libby Peppiatt as New CEO

The Vegan Society has announced the appointment of Libby Peppiatt as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 14 May. Peppiatt, who was selected by the charity’s Council of Trustees, will succeed Abbey Mann, who has served as interim CEO following Steve Hamon’s departure in September. Peppiatt comes to The Vegan Society from her previous position as CEO of Restore, a mental health charity based in Oxfordshire. There, she led national behaviour change campaigns and implemented workplace wellbeing and mental health programs. She also has held senior roles at other mental health organizations, including Mind and Rethink, and contributed to the Time to Change campaign. In a statement regarding her appointment, Peppiatt acknowledged The Vegan Society’s history of pioneering work in advocating for animal rights and …

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Vegan Egg White

© The Every Co.
Fermentation

UK Government Invests £1.4M to Expand Food Standards Agency’s Precision Fermentation Expertise

The UK government has announced it is investing £1.4 million in a new innovation hub that aims to expand the expertise of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in new technologies such as precision fermentation. Precision fermentation involves the use of microorganisms such as yeast to make ingredients like whey protein without the use of animals. The process has been used for decades to produce ingredients such as rennet for cheesemaking, and in recent years there has been increasing interest in its potential as a method of producing alternative proteins. No precision fermentation dairy products are currently on the market in the UK, but several applications are reportedly being evaluated by the FSA as part of the regulatory process. The new innovation hub, funded by the …

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beverages Angel Yeast

© Angel Yeast
Fairs & Events

AngeoPro Yeast Protein Named Best Ingredient Innovation at World Food Innovation Awards

AngeoPro Yeast Protein, an ingredient developed by Chinese manufacturer Angel Yeast, has been named Best Ingredient Innovation at the 2025 World Food Innovation Awards. The awards were hosted by FoodBev and took place on March 17, 2025, at the IFE International Food and Beverage Exhibition’s Trend and Innovation Platform in London, UK. AngeoPro Yeast Protein beat a record number of entries to take the top spot. The accolade recognizes products that meet consumers’ evolving needs, offering innovative, sustainable, and nutritious options. AngeoPro is a plant-based option that is said to provide a complete amino acid profile, superior digestibility, and exceptional functional properties. The ingredient has a neutral taste and is created using fermentation. According to Angel Yeast, it significantly reduces land, water, and energy consumption …

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Alpro switches to British oats

© Alpro
Milk- and Dairy Alternatives

Alpro Announces Switch to 100% British Oats Following Multi-Million-Pound Investment

Plant-based brand Alpro has announced that it will begin making its oat milk from 100% British oats, tapping into the increasing demand for locally made products. The change has been made possible by a multi-million-pound investment from parent company Danone, which has been used to expand Alpro’s facility in Kettering. Around 58 million litres of British oat milk are expected to be produced there annually, equating to a quarter of the site’s annual production of plant-based drinks. The oat milk will be produced in partnership with Navara oat mill, also located in Kettering. Oats will mostly be sourced from farmers within 80 miles of the mill, significantly reducing food miles and giving local farmers new revenue streams. Strategic move Alpro previously invested £41 million into …

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New campaign aims to make plant-based meals the default in hospitals

Image courtesy of Plants First Healthcare
Sustainability / Environment

A Shift to Plant-Forward Meals at UK Public Institutions Could Save the NHS £54.9M Per Year

A new policy briefing endorsed by 25 health and sustainability organizations has called for the procurement of food for UK public institutions to be aligned with healthy, sustainable diets. The briefing makes three key recommendations for the UK government: Making sustainable meals more abundant The briefing estimates that a shift to healthier meal options could save the NHS £54.9 million per year, based on data from New York hospitals that offer plant-based meals as the default option. Furthermore, the changes could improve health outcomes, resulting in further savings for the NHS. Last October, a campaign called Plants First Healthcare, led by senior NHS doctors, called on UK hospitals to offer plant-based meals by default to benefit human and planetary health. Additionally, a factsheet published last …

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STARFIELD at IFE

© STARFIELD
Fairs & Events

Chinese Plant-Based Innovator STARFIELD Showcases Diverse Product Range at IFE 2025 in London

Chinese plant-based brand STARFIELD is currently exhibiting at one of the UK’s largest and most influential food trade shows, International Food & Drink Event (IFE) 2025 in London. STARFIELD is showcasing a diverse lineup of plant-based snacks at the event, including a new potato chip range, bakery products, and plant-based cheese. Additionally, the company is highlighting its meat alternatives, which include Whole-Cut Vegan Pastrami, Plant-Based Bacon, Plant-Based Ham Slices, and Plant-Based Sliced Pastrami. STARFIELD’s extensive portfolio spans beef, chicken, pork, and seafood alternatives, along with plant-based snacks and toppings. In China, the brand has launched plant-based menu items at Dicos and Luckin Coffee, along with retail products at Sam’s Club and FamilyMart. Last year, STARFIELD’s Poki Salad Bar was a finalist in the 2024 World …

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Elaniti

© Elaniti
Agriculture / Agribusiness

Elaniti Raises Funding to Accelerate Soil Microbiome Intelligence, Enabling the Transition to Regenerative Farming

British agritech startup Elaniti has closed a funding round that aims to accelerate the development of its soon-to-launch flagship product, a digital tool enabling agribusinesses to decode the microbial composition of soil. Using AI and DNA sequencing, the tool enables farmers to optimise productivity in both the short term and long term while reducing reliance on synthetic inputs. This could be crucial in transitioning to sustainable, regenerative agriculture and a more plant-based food system. Participants in the funding round included biotope by VIB, Planetary Impact Ventures, and Paulig Group’s CVC arm, PINC. The round adds to non-dilutive funding received by the company from Innovate UK in January, bringing the total amount raised to €1.5 million. Elaniti will use the funding to strengthen its team and …

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Better Nature tempeh

© Better Nature
Products & Launches

Better Nature Rolls Out Enhanced Tempeh to Appeal to Health-Conscious Meat-Eaters in the UK

Better Nature is launching an enhanced version of its Organic Tempeh this week, now available at major UK retailers including Tesco, Asda, and Ocado. The product has been reformulated to appeal to a broader audience, including meat-eaters seeking healthier protein alternatives. The new tempeh offers a higher protein content, matching that of chicken, and features gut-friendly fibre and prebiotics. The updated product boasts 44 grams of protein per 200g pack, which is comparable to one and a third chicken breasts, or the protein found in six eggs. Better Nature claims that the improved tempeh absorbs flavours more effectively than before, making it more versatile in cooking. The company’s new tempeh product is made from organic, non-GMO soybeans and offers additional benefits, such as being a …

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Matthias Krön © The New Originals Company
Interviews

New Originals Company: “We Recognized Early on That Tofu Will Be a Key Pillar of Our Future Diet”

The New Originals Company, headquartered in Vienna, was founded in February 2024 by the Lunter family – tofu pioneers since 1991 – NLT Management Holding and Raiffeisenbank Landesbank Oberösterreich, an experienced investor in the food industry, and already employs over 600 people in six European countries. The New Originals Company focuses on the development of innovative tofu products that meet modern nutritional requirements. With already five brands, all of which stand for innovative, high-quality tofu products and plant-based foods, the company aims to expand further in the rapidly growing European market for natural plant-based foods. Regional roots and comprehensive traceability of raw materials along the entire supply chain remain an important part of the mission. Matthias Krön, CEO of the New Originals Company, gives us …

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Oatly Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

© Oatly

Marketing & Media

Oatly to Give Away 20,000 Free Oat Milk Coffees Across the UK Following Positive Taste Test Results

Oatly has launched a new 360 integrated campaign that will see the brand give away 20,000 free coffees made with its Barista Edition oat milk across the UK. Throughout March and April, Oatly will tour major cities such as Bristol, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, and Glasgow, giving out Oatly flat whites to passersby who may not previously have had an opportunity to try the brand. The campaign comes after a recent blind taste test* compared coffees made with oat and cow’s milk, finding that up to four times as many consumers prefer the taste of oat milk than currently purchase it. This could potentially amount to tens of millions of people UK-wide. Cafe collaborations In the cities visited by the taste test van, Oatly will also …

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Tiba Tempeh

Founders Alexandra and Ross Longton. © Tiba Tempeh
Investments & Acquisitions

Tiba Tempeh Secures Over £1.1M in Funding Following 736% Surge in Retail Sales Value

UK tempeh brand Tiba Tempeh has raised over £1.1 million in funding. The round was led by Maven Capital Partners through its Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, supported by the British Business Bank. Perfect Redd, the venture capital arm of Samworth Brothers, also made a follow-on investment. The funding will be used to enhance Tiba Tempeh’s marketing, sales, and product development, with new product launches planned for 2025. The news comes after Tiba Tempeh saw its retail sales value increase by a huge 736% in the past year, reportedly becoming the fastest growing brand in the UK chilled meat-free category*. The company has contributed £1.2 million in retail sales value over the past year, as demand for less processed meat alternatives continues to rise. Tiba …

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BlueNalu yellowtail

© BlueNalu
Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

Eight Companies Selected for UK’s First Cell-Cultivated Food Safety Programme

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has selected eight companies to participate in a two-year regulatory programme focused on evaluating the safety of cell-cultivated products (CCPs). The initiative is funded by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology’s Engineering Biology Sandbox Fund and will involve collaboration with academic institutions and industry representatives. The programme is designed to gather scientific evidence on the production and safety of CCPs, which will inform the regulatory framework overseen by the FSA and Food Standards Scotland (FSS). The data collected is expected to support more efficient assessments of CCP applications. As part of the initiative, the FSA has committed to conducting full safety evaluations of two CCPs during the two-year period. Science Minister Lord Vallance stated, “By supporting the safe …

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The Coconut Collab strawberry protein yogurt

© The Coconut Collab
Products & Launches

The Coconut Collab Launches Strawberry Flavour Plant-Based Protein Yogurt

UK-based coconut yogurt brand The Coconut Collab has launched Strawberry Protein Yog, a single serving plant-based protein yogurt. Made with a coconut and almond base, the yogurt is flavoured with a strawberry compote that is free of added sugar. Each pot provides 9g of protein from almonds and soy, along with live cultures for gut health. The launch follows the success of The Coconut Collab’s original Protein Yog, which was introduced last year. “The Coconut Collab’s Protein Yog has been a hit with our consumers, who love that it is a natural way to get protein into their diet without any artificial sweeteners, so we’re thrilled to add a new flavour to the range,” said Anna Dominey, Managing Director of The Coconut Collab. “Like all …

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Scientists argue that a shift to plant-based diets, a global phaseout of industrialized animal farming, and a global standardization of climate change metrics are effective measures to reduce global warming.

© pathdoc - stock.adobe.com
Sustainability / Environment

Climate Change Committee Report Tells UK Government to Slash Meat & Dairy Consumption

The UK government’s official climate advisor, the Climate Change Committee, has published its Seventh Carbon Budget. The report provides recommendations for reducing carbon emissions, including advice on replacing meat and dairy with alternative proteins. The recommendations include: “The right direction” A previous Climate Change Committee report published in 2023 was critical of the UK government’s progress towards adopting climate mitigation measures, noting that legislators had not set out plans to support the public in shifting to low-carbon diets. The authors found that a 20% reduction in meat and dairy consumption by 2030 could reduce emissions by 5 MtCO2e. A recent analysis by GFI Europe found that the UK government has invested £75 million in alternative protein innovation so far, making the country Europe’s second-largest public …

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allplants curries on tablescape

© allplants
Company News

Grubby to Relaunch Allplants’ Ready Meals After Acquiring the Brand’s Recipe IP

Plant-based meal kit brand Grubby has announced its acquisition of the recipe IP for ready meal company Allplants, which entered administration last November. Grubby now plans to relaunch Allplants’ product range — which includes pre-prepared meals, desserts, healthy breakfast pots, and more — under its own brand. The news comes after Grubby launched a new Marketplace feature on its website, allowing consumers to order plant-based grocery items alongside the company’s meal kits. The Allplants brand and digital assets were acquired by Ella Mills, founder of plant-based brand Deliciously Ella, last month. She said Allplants would be integrated into her existing business, Plants; however, the deal did not include recipes. “The love for these meals is clear” Allplants was launched in 2016 and initially achieved considerable …

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