Oceania

Australia's Cauldron Ferm announces that the Queensland Government, through its Industry Partnership Program (IPP), will support the development of the Cauldron Bio-fab, a precision fermentation manufacturing facility in Mackay.

Mrs. Julieanne Gilbert (L), Member for Mackay and Assistant Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Industrial Relations and Racing; Michele Stansfield, co-founder and CEO of Cauldron; Belinda Hassen, Candidate for Mackay, and Robin Stinson (R), CFO at Mackay Sugar - Image courtesy of Cauldron

Fermentation

Cauldron Ferm to Develop Asia-Pacific’s Largest Precision Fermentation Facility Following Queensland Government Support

Australia’s Cauldron Ferm announces that the Queensland Government, through its Industry Partnership Program (IPP), will support the development of the ‘Cauldron Bio-fab’, a precision fermentation facility in Mackay. The facility will be the first and largest end-to-end contract manufacturer for bioproducts in Asia-Pacific, with a projected annual output of over 1,000 tons. It will deploy Cauldron’s hyper-fermentation technology for cost-effective and resource-efficient production of alternative proteins and widely used petrochemicals for multiple sectors. Co-founder and CEO Michele Stansfield shares, “We are honored to be receiving support from the Queensland Government to develop our first industrial-scale operations in Mackay. This funding enables us to scale our innovative technology as a major milestone in our journey to redefine the scope of biomanufacturing.” Reaching price parity Cauldron aims to …

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Coconut-based infant formula

© Coco2
Products & Launches

Australia’s Coco2 Launches “World’s First” Coconut-Based Infant Formula

Australian company Coco2 has announced the launch of what is claimed to be the world’s first coconut-based infant formula. The formula reportedly took ten years to develop in collaboration with the University of Queensland, parents, and healthcare professionals. It is said to closely mimic the nutrition and health benefits of breast milk, containing essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. Coconut also contains naturally occurring lauric acid, an important component of human breast milk. According to Coco2, lauric acid makes milk easily digestible, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial. It is also crucial for neurodevelopmental growth and can aid in the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. “Coco2 is nutritionally complete and fortified with all the key minerals and vitamins,” said pharmacist Helen Nguyen. “It …

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Fungi, Mushrooms & Mycelium

Kinoko-Tech to Produce Thousands of Tons of Fungi Products for APAC Region Through Metaphor Foods Agreement

Israeli food tech startup Kinoko-Tech has announced a strategic commercial agreement with Australia-based accelerator and investment company Metaphor Foods. The collaboration will allow Kinoko-Tech to produce thousands of tons of sustainable fungi-based products in Australia, with the help of a strategic investment. The agreement also includes plans for expansion into Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and New Zealand, with production beginning in 2025. Metaphor Foods, which is the innovation arm of food ingredients firm Hela APAC, will oversee the rollout of Kinoko-Tech’s products across the Asia-Pacific region. A range of protein-rich fungi-based foods will be produced, including center-of-plate options that can be used as meat alternatives along with snack items such as muesli and nut bars, protein bars, and crispy chips. “At Metaphor Foods, our role is …

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Fable Foods blended meat

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Studies & Numbers

Report: 74% of American Consumers Are Interested in Blended Meat

A new report by NECTAR, a philanthropic initiative working to accelerate the protein transition with taste, has found that 74% of US consumers surveyed are interested or extremely interested in blended meat products. Blended meat (also referred to as “plant-rich meat”) consists of a combination of conventional animal meat and plant-based protein. 51% of omnivorous consumers said sustainability was their biggest interest driver in blended meat, while 47% cited health. Products with a 50/50 mix of plant-based and animal-based ingredients were perceived to be the most appealing. Interestingly, plant-based nuggets outperformed conventional chicken nuggets in blind taste tests conducted as part of the report, while animal-based products remained in the lead in most categories. However, when consumers were given blended meat burgers, they rated them …

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Australian plant-based meat manufacturer v2food and the Dutch company AlgaeHUB by Lgem have joined forces to make plant-based meat more appealing.

© v2food
Algae, Microalgae & Seaweed

v2food and AlgaeHUB by Lgem to Revolutionize the Appeal of Plant-Based Meat with Red Microalgae Colorant

The Australian plant-based meat manufacturer v2food and the Dutch biotech Lgem have joined forces to make plant-based meat more appealing. The companies collaborated to scale the production of RepliHue, a red microalgae-derived ingredient that replicates the visual experience of cooking conventional meat without synthetic additives, such as heme. Shades of pink and brown during cooking v2food, Australia’s leading brand, aims to provide sustainable, high-quality, and tasty plant-based meat to help people reduce their meat consumption. According to the company, a visual indication of successful cooking is needed to convince skeptical consumers of the viability of these alternatives. The plant-based company, looking for clean-label solutions to enhance its products, identified a strain of temperature-sensitive red microalgae that reacts to heat exposure, creating different shades of pink and brown …

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vEEF launches carbon-neutral plant-based meat range

© vEEF
Products & Launches

Australia’s vEEF Launches Carbon-Neutral Plant-Based Meat Range at Price Parity With Animal Meat

Australian plant-based meat brand vEEF has launched a range of four carbon-neutral products, all priced equivalently to or lower than their animal-based counterparts. The products are Plant Based Beef Mince, Plant Based Classic Sausages, Plant Based Smokey Sausages, and Plant Based Chorizo Sausages. They are said to be chef-crafted and nutrient-rich, with 50% less plastic packaging than previous vEEF products. The launch comes after a recent survey found that 21% of Australians now identify as ‘meat reducers’, making this the most popular dietary choice of 2024. Furthermore, 79% said they go meat-free at least once a week, and a report published earlier this year found that Australian plant-based meat sales increased by 47% between 2020 and 2023. “This price parity is a game-changer, allowing consumers …

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CAA's new report calls for industry stakeholders to collaborate on prioritizing impact areas, claims, and metrics.

© Cellular Agriculture Australia (CAA)
Studies & Numbers

Cellular Agriculture Australia Calls for Clearer and Verifiable Impact Metrics for Cell-Based Foods

The cellular agriculture industry faces pressure to communicate its impact potential to policymakers, investors, and consumers. However, most impact claims companies make are often aspirational, reflecting an industry at scale that may not align with short-term or medium-term realities. Vague and ambiguous claims such as “future-friendly,” “planet-friendly,” “kinder,” “cleaner,” and “clean”; metrics such as “animal lives saved” or “deaths avoided,” which are difficult to verify; and specific claims such as “100x less land” or “90% less GHG emissions” open companies to potential litigation if not verifiable. These claims could harm investor confidence, alienate future consumers, and deter government support. These are the statements of a new report by Cellular Agriculture Australia (CAA), which calls for industry stakeholders to collaborate on prioritizing impact areas, claims, and …

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Three bottles of animal-free milk

© Eden Brew
Fermentation

Government Support Crucial for Australia to Become a Global Precision Fermentation Leader, Says New CAA Report

The non-profit Cellular Agriculture Australia (CAA) has released a new white paper highlighting Australia’s capabilities in producing precision-fermented ingredients and its potential to become a global leader. The country is already home to a precision fermentation ecosystem of startups, established companies, research institutions, mature investors, and manufacturing capabilities. Eden Brew, Daisy Lab (NZ), All G Foods, Eclipse Ingredients, Nourish Ingredients, the ASX-listed company Noumi, and CMDO Cauldron Ferm contribute to making Australia and New Zealand’s precision fermentation sector the largest in Asia-Pacific. These companies focus on producing proteins such as whey and casein for dairy products and bovine lactoferrin, a sought-after whey protein due to its iron content, and fats to improve meat and dairy alternatives. Australia’s strong reputation as a global food supplier, established logistics networks, …

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Nutrition from Water

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Algae, Microalgae & Seaweed

Nutrition from Water Develops Microalgae-Based Whey, Prepares for Market Introduction

New Zealand-based biotechnology startup Nutrition from Water (NXW), previously known as NewFish, has developed a microalgae-based whey for sports, wellness, advanced nutrition, and other categories such as baking and dairy-free confectionery. Branded as Marine Whey, the ingredient is said to offer an amino acid profile that rivals that of leading traditional animal proteins while surpassing plant-based proteins in digestibility. Described as allergen-free, vegan, and non-GMO, the protein ingredient is currently undergoing certification for self-attained GRAS. In addition, it has a neutral sensory profile, allowing for multiple applications, from nutritional foods and beverages to everyday meals and snacks, benefiting elite athletes and everyday consumers alike. The biotech plans to introduce Marine Whey to the global market within the next year, starting with the US and Japan. …

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David Weiner, Cauldron Ferm's newly appointed CTO

David Weiner - Image courtesy of Cauldron Ferm
Company News

Cauldron Appoints Biotech Veteran to Spearhead Hyper-Fermentation Solution for Alternative Proteins

Contract manufacturer organization Cauldron Ferm announces the appointment of Solugen and BASF industry veteran David Weiner as new chief technology officer. Drawing on his extensive experience in product development and scaling innovative biotech solutions, Weiner will oversee the company’s technology R&D pipeline as the Australian company embarks on its next phase of global expansion. Cauldron, founded in 2022 in Borenore, New South Wales, has developed a precision fermentation technology that promises to reach price parity — or even cheaper — with current goods such as dairy, egg, and silk proteins and widely used petrochemicals. The company recently closed a Series A funding round of over $6.25 million with investors including SOSV, In-Q-Tel, Main Sequence, and Horizons Ventures. “David brings a distinguished career leading R&D programs that …

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A man holding multiple NotMilk products

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Studies & Numbers

Word-of-Mouth is Key Channel in Success of Plant-Based Milks, Finds Study

Research on US consumer preferences for plant-based milk, conducted by New Zealand’s Lincoln University, has found that plant-based milk enthusiasts actively promote these alternatives through word-of-mouth, making them valuable allies in marketing. The study — focused on US consumers, due to the country’s extensive plant-based milk market — was conducted by Dr. Meike Rombach, Dr. Lei Cong, and Associate Professor David Dean and published in Beverages, to provide a framework for marketers to promote plant-based milk more effectively. Through a survey, the researchers measured how factors such as animal welfare, environmental concerns, health consciousness, and personal dietary preferences influenced consumers’ willingness to try plant-based milk and their propensity to share their views through word-of-mouth, particularly on social media. “Willingness to try is a low-commitment response …

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believer meats' cultivated chicken dish

© BELIEVER Meats
Cultivated Meat

New Study On Morals Reveals Purity Trumps Harm in Attitudes Toward Cultivated Meat

A new study by psychology researchers from the UK and Australia surveyed 1,861 participants from the United States and Germany to explore how moral values relate to attitudes toward cultured meat. The authors explain that cultivated meat promotes less animal and environmental harm, aligning with the “harm/care” dimension of the Moral Foundations Theory, which emphasizes concern for the suffering of others and the desire to care for and protect people from harm. However, after three surveys, the researchers found that the “harm” dimension was unexpectedly weak in predicting favorable attitudes despite “harm” being a significant narrative in media and industry. The five moral foundations For the surveys, the researchers used the five moral foundations — harm, purity, fairness, loyalty, and authority — to predict attitudes …

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Manufacturing & Technology

Otis Announces Opening of “First of Its Kind” Oat Milk Facility in New Zealand

New Zealand brand Otis has announced the opening of a new oat milk facility described as the “first of its kind” in East Auckland. The purpose-built plant will produce Otis’ milk alternatives using premium South Island oats. It took Otis almost five years to establish the facility, which is owned by beverage co-manufacturer Free Flow Manufacturing. This culminated in an 18-month project that used New Zealand, German, and Swedish food technology to create a world-class plant. Enzyme technology developed by Angie Triantafyllou, former Oatly owner and now Chairman of the Board at Cerealiq, is used to produce the oat milk to a “gold standard”. Previously, Otis had to export New Zealand oats to Sweden for manufacturing due to a lack of suitable facilities locally. But …

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WOA fava beans

© WOA / vegconomist
Ingredients

WOA Repurposes Proprietary Lupin Technology to Innovate Pea and Faba Protein Isolates

Australias Wide Open Agriculture Limited has announced the successful development of enhanced protein isolates from pea and faba (fava) beans using its proprietary technology. WOA’s technology, initially utilized for producing Buntine Protein from lupin, has now been successfully adapted for pea and faba proteins, showcasing the versatility of WOA’s extraction process and its potential applicability to a broader range of alternative proteins. The new protein isolates were developed in WOA’s R&D laboratory and produced at its pilot plant in Perth, Australia. Compared to standard isolates, the company claims these functional protein isolates show improved gel strength, solubility, and reduced viscosity. Superior products for evolving needs Enhanced gel strength contributes to better product texture, stability, and shelf life. Improved solubility aids in ingredient dispersion and incorporation, …

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Petition calls for standardised labelling of vegan and vegetarian foods in New Zealand

Image: NZ Vegetarian Society
Charity & Campaigns

Petition Calls for Standardised Labelling of Vegan & Vegetarian Products in New Zealand

The NZ Vegetarian Society (NZVS) and the Vegan Society of Aotearoa have partnered to launch a petition advocating clear and standardised labelling for vegan and vegetarian foods in New Zealand. The organisations are calling on the government to implement legislation to prevent consumer confusion, following an increase in the use of terms such as “plant-based” or “less dairy” for products that may contain animal ingredients. They argue that ambiguous labelling impacts not just vegans and vegetarians but also allergy sufferers and people who avoid certain foods for religious reasons. The petition says that products marked “vegan” must be completely free of animal-derived ingredients, while vegetarian products should not contain meat, seafood, or other ingredients resulting from animal slaughter (such as gelatine or rennet). Additionally, if …

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Image supplied by Food Frontier
Company News

Isolate Manufacturer Australian Plant Proteins Enters Voluntary Administration

Australian Plant Proteins (APP), the only manufacturer of Australian-grown faba bean and pulse protein isolates, has entered voluntary administration. APP operates the largest of three commercial-scale plant protein fractionation facilities in Australia, producing 1200 tonnes of isolates per year at the site in Horsham, Victoria. The ingredients are used by domestic and overseas companies in products such as breakfast cereals, breads, bakery goods, snack foods, and meat and dairy alternatives. Melbourne-based financial and business advisory firm Romanis Cant has been appointed as administrator, with the hope that APP will be sold as a going concern. It is unclear why the company ran into trouble, but a plan to construct further manufacturing facilities may have been partially responsible; the federal and South Australian governments were initially …

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© Plant Based Treaty

Charity & Campaigns

Darebin Becomes 1st Australian Council to Endorse the Plant Based Treaty with 8 Votes Against 1

Darebin Council recently passed a motion becoming the first Australian council to endorse the global Plant Based Treaty having been overwhelmingly accepted with eight votes in favour and just one against the motion. The organisation advocates for a shift towards a plant-based food system, calling for a global agreement that aligns the food system to the Paris Agreement, along with the implementation of best practices in plant-based food policy at the city and institutional levels. The proposed treaty has been endorsed by 30 cities, including Los Angeles, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, and recently, Belfast. It has thus far generated support from 150,000 individual endorsers, 5 Nobel laureates, IPCC scientists, and more than 3000 groups and businesses, including The Australian Vegetarian Society (NSW), Animals Australia, Animal Justice Party …

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Organic fucoidan from Marinova

© Marinova
Ingredients

Australia: Marinova Triples Manufacturing Capacity in Response to “Rapidly Increasing” Global Demand for Fucoidan

Marinova, an Australian biotech focused on the research, development and production of of high purity fucoidan compounds (for information on this ingredient see below), recently completed an AUD $5 million expansion to its state-of-the-art fucoidan extraction facility. Marinova says it supplies fucoidan extracts to leading nutritional and personal care brands in more than 35 countries and that the ingredient is particularly popular in formulations targeting immune support, gut and digestive health, and healthy aging. The company produces Maritech® organic fucoidan, which it claims is the world’s only high-purity, certified organic fucoidan with global regulatory acceptance. “Marinova’s branded Maritech® range is the world’s only high purity, certified organic fucoidan with global regulatory acceptance,” says CEO Paul Garrott. “Natural, clinically proven and sustainably sourced, they are ingredients …

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Fresh green broccoli on orange background

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Health

Study Finds Plant Nitrates Linked to Lower Mortality Risk, Raises Concerns Over Animal Sources

New research from Edith Cowan University (ECU), Australia, led by Dr. Nicola Bondonno, has found that nitrate from plants can lower the risk of death from various causes, including heart disease and cancer. On the other hand, nitrates from animal products and processed meats can lead to a higher mortality risk. Nitrate and nitrite are found in food and drink; their sources could be plants, processed meats (added as additives), drinking water, or animal products, where they naturally occur, and their consumption impacts human health in various ways. The source matters To shed light on the topic, the study researched whether the health outcomes associated with nitrate and nitrite consumption differed depending on the source of these compounds. After examining 52,247 participants from the Danish …

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Made With Plants launches at Coles

© Made With Plants
Retail & E-Commerce

Australia’s Made With Plants Expands Into 500+ Coles Stores

Made With Plants, an Australian company producing meat and dairy alternatives, has announced it is expanding into over 500 Coles stores across the country. Coles customers can now purchase Made With Plants’ plant-based bacon, chicken, ham, and grated mozzarella. The ham and chicken are made from seitan, the bacon is soy-based, and the mozzarella is made from sunflower and coconut oils. Coles previously told the Sydney Morning Herald in 2022 that it was working to offer more plant-based options, after seeing a “rise in the flexitarian and people seeking out alternative protein sources”. A report published in May found that plant-based meat sales surged by 47% in Australia and New Zealand between 2020 and 2023, noting that the price gap between conventional meat and plant-based …

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