Beyond Meat announces the nationwide release of its latest plant-based offering, Beyond Sun Sausage, at Whole Foods Market locations across the United States.
This expansion follows an initial regional launch at Sprouts stores in late July, where the product achieved strong sales performance, positioning itself among the top-selling plant-based items in the natural grocery category, according to the company.
Not just another meat substitute
The introduction of Beyond Sun Sausage comes as a key part of Beyond Meat’s recent return-to-growth strategy, which the company discussed in its Q3 earnings report last week. The report highlighted that the company has achieved growth by implementing operational cost reductions, selective price increases, and shifts in its product sales mix, despite a reduction in total sales volume.
Beyond Sun Sausage has played a central role in this strategy, allowing the company to address consumer demand for “clean-label” and vegetable- and legume-focused options, which differ from Beyond Meat’s core products that replicate the taste and texture of traditional meat.
Innovation over imitation
Ethan Brown, Founder and CEO of Beyond Meat, commented on the product’s potential impact, noting, “Beyond Sun Sausage represents an important and exciting expansion of our product portfolio, delivering savory taste and clean protein without being restricted to replicating beef, pork, or poultry.”
Beyond Sun Sausage was developed as a standalone, plant-based protein option rather than a meat substitute, appealing to consumers seeking a non-meat-mimicking product. Made from vegetables and legumes—including spinach, bell peppers, yellow peas, brown rice, and red lentils—the sausage contains 12 grams of protein and only one gram of saturated fat per link.
With certifications from the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association, Beyond Sun Sausage has been positioned as a health-focused offering for consumers.
Enhancing nutritional benefits
Earlier this year, the company updated the recipes of Beyond Burger, Beyond Beef, and Beyond Sausage products to include avocado oil, reducing saturated fat to 2 grams per serving. These changes were implemented as part of a wider strategy to enhance the nutritional benefits of its products after facing sustained misinformation campaigns from the animal protein and pharmaceutical industries around the nutrition profile of its products.
Currently, the Beyond Sun Sausage line includes two varieties: Beyond Sun Sausage Pesto, available nationwide at Whole Foods, and Beyond Sun Sausage Cajun, which will initially be available at select Whole Foods locations.
“Made from wholesome plant-based ingredients and earning prestigious recognition from leading health organizations, we look forward to introducing our newest product innovation to even more consumers across the country,” states Brown.
