Omni vegan dog food range

Image: ProVeg International

Pet Food

Omni: What’s Next for the Plant-Based Pet Food Company?

Three years ago, Omni launched as a ProVeg Incubator start-up selling plant-based pet food. In 2023, the company grew by over 100% and boasted seven-figure annual sales. Building a health-first brand based on veterinary knowledge and scientific credibility, Omni is the only plant-based pet food company in the UK to have peer-reviewed scientific research supporting its products. Its product line includes nutritionally complete kibble, wet-food cans and toppers to increase palatability with a meaty taste and texture, and a newly launched range of supplements with functional benefits. Amid teases of a ‘world-first’ cultivated pet food product launch, ProVeg International’s New Food Hub speaks to Co-Founder and Co-CEO Shiv Sivakumar about Omni’s rise to market leadership and the future of pet food from plant-based and novel …

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Cultivated pet food company Meatly, previously Good Dog Food, has revealed what it claims to be the world's first cultivated meat product for cats.

© Meatly

Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

Meatly and Omni Unveil UK’s First Cultivated Meat Product for Cats

UK cultivated pet food company Meatly, previously Good Dog Food, has unveiled what it claims to be the world’s first cans of cat food made with cultivated chicken. The first batch, manufactured with its first commercial partner, Omni, a leader in the UK plant-based pet food scene, is a chicken pâté that blends Omni’s plant, yeast, and algae proteins with Meatly’s cruelty-free meat grown from chicken egg cells. Pets at Home, an early investor in Meatly, will be the first retailer to sell Omni Feast Chicken Revolution presented in 150g tins (enough for a single meal) at roughly £1, according to the announcement. “Owen Ensor, co-founder and CEO of Meatly, said, “It is incredibly exciting to see the first ever cans of cultivated pet food fly off the production …

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UK plant-based protein sector unites in growth commitment

Image: Indy Kaur on LinkedIn

Fairs & Events

40+ UK Plant-Based Companies Gather in United Front to Forge a Path & Propel Sector Forward

Over 40 businesses, retailers, and NGOs in the UK plant-based protein sector recently came together at the inaugural Plant-Based Proteins Workshop, hosted by Plant Futures. Participants included allplants, the Coller Foundation, Veganuary, Veg Capital, The Tofoo Co, and many more. In a move described as “unprecedented”, the organisations made a clear commitment to collaboration and growth, strategising on ways to rejuvenate the sector. They identified seven critical areas to inform the development of a growth strategy: Unity — Collaboration could unlock the sector’s growth potential, and a shared roadmap will be developed as a guide. Leadership — A coherent narrative and governance are necessary, as too much is currently open to interpretation. Positioning — Most attendees agreed that there should be a focus on highlighting …

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UK's first vegan theatre to open in Canterbury

Image: The Garlinge Theatre on Facebook

Society

“UK’s First Vegan Theatre” to Open Near Canterbury, Kent

A cooperative is set to open what is claimed to be the UK’s first vegan theatre on an organic farm near the town of Canterbury, Kent. Only vegan foods and beverages will be permitted in the Garlinge Theatre, which has a capacity of 300. This rule will also apply to anyone who hires the venue. The first productions will take place in the theatre next month. The building was previously a Steiner school, which closed last year after problems were discovered during an inspection. However, a new Steiner-inspired school will now open on part of the site. The school, Light Root’s Home Education, is part of the cooperative that has taken over the building, alongside actress Alison Harris and Swale councillor Terry Thompson. A fundraising …

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Beyond Burger

© Beyond Meat

Products & Launches

Beyond Burger Rolls Out at Over 800 Co-op Stores UK-Wide

Beyond Meat has announced that the Beyond Burger is launching at over 800 Co-op convenience stores and supermarkets across the UK. The burger, which has won several awards including Which’s Best Vegan Burger 2023, will be available in the frozen aisle. It contains 19g of protein and is cholesterol-free. A recent life cycle analysis indicates that the Beyond Burger requires 97% less land, 97% less water, and 37% less non-renewable energy than a comparable beef burger, while also generating 90% fewer greenhouse gas emissions. “Just in time for the warmer weather and BBQ season, we’re delighted to be extending our tasty Beyond Burger into Co-op stores across the UK,” said Lee Crane, Regional Sales Manager UK at Beyond Meat. “Local and convenient, the new launch …

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Ivy Farm Gyoza dish

© Ivy Farm

Cultivated Meat

BSF Enterprise and Ivy Farm Partner to Produce Cultivated Meat in China

Two UK firms, BSF Enterprise, owner of the UK clinical and cell ag company 3D Bio-Tissues (3DBT), and the cultivated meat company Ivy Farm Technologies, have partnered to fundraise, produce, and scale cultivated meat in China. BSF Enterprise (LSE: BSFA) (OTCQB: BSFAF) announced that the commercial agreement involves securing investment to help Ivy Farm enter the Chinese market and find key manufacturers to develop various cultivated meat products. Last year, BSF Enterprise formed a separate entity (BSF HK) and opened an office in Hong Kong to develop a distribution and partner network to commercialize its products and launch cultivated meat in the country. China consumes over 100 million tons of meat (with pork as the preferred meat), which is more than a quarter of global meat consumption, representing a …

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Vegandale touring vegan experience

© Vegandale

Fairs & Events

“World’s Largest Touring Vegan Experience” Vegandale Expands to the UK

Vegandale, the North American festival described as the world’s largest touring vegan experience, is expanding to the UK in 2024. The festival has announced a London event at Clapham Common from July 13-14, and a Manchester event on July 6 (location to be announced). Additionally, there will be an event in Philadelphia this year, adding to the six existing North American locations — New York, Toronto, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and Dallas. Vegandale features a range of musical performances, with last year’s headlining acts including Rick Ross, Coi Leray, and DJ Khaled. London artists are expected to be announced next month. A diverse range of food, beverage, and lifestyle options will also be available, with the London and Manchester events featuring both local food and …

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LoveRaw named one of Europe's fastest-growing companies in FT1000 ranking

© LoveRaw

Studies & Numbers

LoveRaw Named One of Europe’s Fastest-Growing Companies in FT 1000 Ranking

UK-based vegan chocolate brand LoveRaw has been featured in the FT 1000, the Financial Times’ annual ranking of Europe’s fastest-growing companies compiled in collaboration with Statista. LoveRaw has been included after growing its CAGR by 61% from 2019 to 2021, despite a challenging economic environment. The brand offers four popular chocolate ranges — Cre&m Wafer Bars, Peanut Butter Cups, Nutty Choc Balls, and the Peanut Caramel Bar. The products are available at major retailers such as Tesco, Asda, Waitrose, Ocado, Co-op, and Whole Foods Market. “Being recognized and ranked in the FT 1000 marks a pinnacle moment in our journey, a testament to the remarkable dedication and innovation of our team, both past and present,” said Rimi Thapar, co-founder and CEO of LoveRaw. Tesco accelerator …

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Trekking by Biophilica samples

Treekind © Biophilica

Leather Alternatives

Biophilica and Sappi North America Unveil Treekind: A Sustainable “Leaf Leather” with Authentic Feel

The UK materials company Biophilica and Sappi North America, a producer and supplier of paper, packaging products, and pulp, have joined forces to introduce a new version of the leather alternative made from leaves, Treekind, with a 100% plastic-free coating.  Sappi North America collaborated with Biophilica for two years to successfully apply a technology called textured release paper to Treekind to replace the plastic coating widely used in vegan leather. This product provides Treekind with a high-fidelity, 3D leather grain texture with an authentic, non-plastic-like feel, explains Biophilica.  Mark Hittie, Director of Release Business Strategy at Sappi North America, commented: “Inclusion of plastic-containing coatings has dominated the vegan leather industry, limiting consumers with few fully sustainable choices and a material that often has a plastic-like touch inferior …

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Juicy Marbles launches at Tesco

© Juicy Marbles

Retail & E-Commerce

Tesco Reports “Phase Two of Plant-Based Revolution” With Rising Demand for Meat-Free Ingredients

The UK’s largest supermarket chain Tesco reports that the plant-based revolution appears to be entering a second phase, driven by consumers cooking from scratch. The retailer noted that while plant-based is “the biggest food trend this century”, there was a slight dip in sales last year, attributed to the novelty wearing off for customers who were buying the products out of curiosity. However, sales of meat-free ingredients and whole cuts are now on the rise again. Over the last three months, sales of fish alternatives have risen by a huge 100% compared to the same period last year, while tofu and tempeh sales are up by about 20%. Plant-based steaks and chicken breasts have also seen a 20% sales boost, while meat-free burgers are up …

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© Alpro

Politics & Law

“There is No Problem to Fix”: UK Government Urged to Reject Plant-Based Dairy Labelling Guidance

Food awareness organisation ProVeg UK has called on the UK government to stop the publication of guidance that would restrict the labelling of plant-based dairy alternatives. The guidance has been drawn up by the Food Standards & Information Focus Group (FSIFG), which aims to help trading standards officers interpret inherited EU laws. It is set to be published at Easter, and would prevent plant-based dairy companies from using terms such as “not milk”, “cheeze”, or even “alternative to milk”. But ProVeg argues that the guidance will stifle the plant-based industry instead of taking advantage of opportunities for growth. The UK is the second-largest consumer of plant-based alternative proteins in Europe, and is home to many alt dairy companies. “One of the reasons the UK voted …

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Wagamama and Willy's Pies launch mushroom, kimchee, and edamame pie

© Wagamama

Food Service

Wagamama Partners With Willy’s Pies to Launch Vegan Mushroom, Kimchee and Edamame Pie

Japanese-inspired British restaurant chain Wagamama has partnered with pie brand Willy’s Pies to launch a new plant-based dish — the Mushroom, Kimchee and Edamame Pie. The pie contains king oyster mushrooms, diced aubergine, and edamame beans in a katsu curry sauce. It is topped with kimchee and served with a side salad, along with Wagamama’s raisukatsu sauce. The pie aims to fuse traditional British cuisine with Asian flavours. Wagamama and Willy’s Pies previously collaborated in November to create a chicken katsu pie, and have developed the new vegan option in line with Wagamama’s commitment to a 50% plant-based menu. The pies will be available at 19 selected Wagamama locations UK-wide; a tour truck will also bring free samples to various cities, in celebration of British …

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Cultivated meat-Cultivated Meat Project

© Firn-stock.adobe.com

Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

UK Firms Receive Almost £500,000 Government Grant for Cultivated Meat Project

The research company Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) and two Newcastle University spinoffs, MarraBio and Aelius Biotech, have been awarded an almost £500,000 grant by Innovate UK for a cultivated meat project. With the grant, the organizations will leverage their expertise and capabilities to develop a low-emission, cost-effective method for producing cultivated meat.  The project will further research engineered protein materials developed by MarraBio to replace expensive reagents currently used in large-scale cell-based meat biomanufacturing. Food safe bacterial polymers  MarraBio develops alternative bacterial protein polymers that help cells grow, divide, and behave normally. These proteins are made with multifunctional, low-cost raw materials, significantly reducing costs.  However, to use these polymers for food production, the manufacturing process must be modified to meet food regulations. As explained by …

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Keith Lesser, Vegan Accountants

Keith Lesser Vegan Accountants

Interviews

Vegan Accountants: “Building a Vegan Team is a Great Way to Ensure Retention and Compatibility with Values”

Vegan Accountants, based in East London, serves the unique needs of ethical and plant-based businesses in the UK, having pivoted around five years ago to a purely vegan business model when partner Keith Lesser became increasingly focused on the vegan lifestyle, wanting to work with mission-aligned founders in the space. Recognising the distinct financial and ethical considerations of vegan businesses, Vegan Accountants offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to support businesses in navigating the complex landscape of sustainability-focused finance. With a commitment to promoting ethical business practices, the firm offers expertise in tax, accounting, and financial planning to empower clients ranging from startups to established enterprises. What advice can you give to businesses looking to incorporate ethical practices into their financial management? To be …

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VFG group acquires Tofutown

© VFC

Investments & Acquisitions

VFG’s Strategic Acquisition of TOFUTOWN to Boost Group Revenues Over €100M, Further M&As on Horizon

Vegan Food Group (VFG), the recently rebranded holding company formerly known as VFC Foods Ltd, announces it is on track to becoming one of Europe’s largest plant-based manufacturers with the acquisition of TOFUTOWN, a German producer with revenues of €60 million. Following the group’s revelation of its intentions to create a “vegan Unilever” at the start of this year, VFG’s fourth acquisition, following Clive’s Purely Pies, Meatless Farm, and its chick*n brand VFC, creates a major European CPG company boasting 80 SKUs in the UK and EU across 21,000 distribution points. The combined entity of the four brands is already poised to achieve profitability in 2024, with a clear line of sight for scaling group revenues beyond €100M. This is just the start of VFG’s …

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Largest ever Vurger Co. location opens

© The Vurger Co.

Food Service

The Vurger Co Closes its Doors, Citing Government Failures & “Anti-Vegan Misinformation”

British vegan fast food chain The Vurger Co has closed its doors for the last time, following years of “seemingly endless domestic and international crises”. After launching in 2016, The Vurger Co. opened four locations in total — two in London, one in Brighton, and one in Manchester. The restaurants have served hundreds of thousands of burgers over the years, including to celebrities such as Billie Eilish. The chain also launched a range of sauces for retail at Ocado, Whole Foods, and Co-op, as well as further afield at stores in Los Angeles, New York City, and Dubai. But like most hospitality businesses, The Vurger Co struggled during the pandemic, heightened by what the company describes as “infuriating government policy”. Ensuing crises, such as the …

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Worcester mayor removes meat from menu at council receptions

Councillor Louis Stephen, © Worcester City Council

Politics & Law

Mayor of Worcester Removes Meat From Menu at Council Receptions

The mayor of the UK city of Worcester has announced that meat will no longer be served at council receptions, which are held in the mayor’s parlour after long meetings to offer refreshments to councillors. As reported by the BBC, Worcester’s first Green Party mayor, Councillor Louis Stephen, said he was making the change to raise awareness of the lower carbon footprint of plant-based diets. He added that meat-free meals are inclusive as they are suitable for everyone, including those from non-Christian religions who may not be able to eat some or all types of meat. The decision only applies to receptions, and wider council events will be unaffected. However, the change has attracted protests from one Conservative councillor. At a full city council meeting, …

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Creamura Tequila

Image: Creamura Tequila on LinkedIn

Beverages

Cremaura Offers “Delightful and Guilt-Free” Vegan Tequila Liqueurs

Cremaura Tequila is a new UK brand offering plant-based tequila cream liqueurs. The products are also gluten-free, with the aim of being inclusive for everyone. The liqueurs are available in four flavours — rose, orange, café, and chocolate — with more additions reportedly coming soon. The beverages feature sustainable packaging, including recycled glass bottles, sugar cane heat seals, and recyclable cardboard. Cremaura recently announced a partnership with leading West Midlands drinks wholesaler Swallow Wholesale Drinks Solutions, and has reported growing interest from other wholesalers. For Valentine’s Day, the company partnered with Bolicious Vegan Chocolates to offer a range of chocolate liqueurs in the flavours hazelnut, tiramisu, orange, and dark rose gianduja. Despite being a relatively new brand, Cremaura is already available at various bar groups, …

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Oato retail launch

© Oato

Company News

Oato’s “Category-First” Fresh Oat Milk Expands into Retail, Aiming to Become Biggest Brand in UK Alt Milk Category

Lancashire, England-based Oato is expanding into brick-and-mortar retail through a distribution deal with Booths for its 1L Fresh Barista Whole Oat Drink, with bold ambitions, claiming it is poised to become the leading alt milk in the UK. The oat milk is said to be a category first in that it is not UHT (ultra-high temperature)/shelf-stable, but fresh/refrigerated. “Our latest release is a category first to the dairy alternative category, emphasising local sourcing, convenience, and provenance—qualities that matter to British consumers. Being fresh, not UHT sets us apart,” says Oato, explaining that British consumers have always preferred fresh dairy milk over long-life options, though there are very few available counterparts in plant-based milk. Fresh milk simply tastes better, says Oato, and why should oat be …

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Aldi fruit and veg

© ALDI UK

Retail & E-Commerce

Aldi UK Continues Success Trajectory, Drops Fruit & Veg Prices to Encourage Healthy Eating, Creates 5,500 Jobs

Aldi, currently the UK’s fourth-largest supermarket, operates more than 1,000 stores and employs more than 45,000 employees. Yesterday the discounter revealed it is to create 5,500 jobs as it “continues growing at speed throughout 2024”. Furthermore, this week Aldi decided to drop prices for fresh fruit and vegetables to encourage healthy eating in the UK. Prices for berries, grapes, tomatoes, apples and ready-to-eat salads will be lowered in its biggest price cut so far this year, affecting around a quarter of its range, with prices on more than 50 items falling by an average of 7%. Just last month the chain expanded its Plant Menu range with plant-based smoked salmon slices, which have become extremely popular and are selling out around the country, as well …

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