Chicken

THIS Isn't Roast Chicken and Stuffing

© THIS
Products & Launches

THIS Launches Limited Edition Plant-Based Roast Chicken & Stuffing

After 12 months of R&D, UK alt meat brand THIS has launched a new product — THIS™ Isn’t Roast Chicken & Stuffing. The plant-based chicken crown is made from soy and pea protein, with stuffing in the middle and a sage and garlic melt topping. The limited-edition product is said to be ideal as a centrepiece for a festive meal or a Sunday roast. Another seasonal product by the company, THIS™ Isn’t Pork Pigs In Blankets, is also set to return to supermarket shelves for the third year in a row in the coming months. The news comes as THIS reports that its revenue is forecast to hit £20 million this year, up by over 50% compared to 2022. Furthermore, THIS is now the UK’s …

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UPSIDE Foods

Amy Chen © UPSIDE Foods
Interviews

UPSIDE Foods: “We’ve Proven Cultivated Meat is Safe, Delicious, and Something Consumers Want”

Last November, UPSIDE Foods made history when it became one of the first two cultivated meat companies to have a product greenlit by the FDA. Since then, the company has reached several more milestones, with its cultivated chicken receiving USDA label approval this June and gaining final regulatory approval to be sold in the US a week later. UPSIDE’s first sale — believed to be the first ever for cultivated meat in the US — took place on July 1 at Chef Dominique Crenn’s acclaimed Bar Crenn restaurant. The initial event was for winners of a social media contest, but the cultivated chicken is now available to the public as part of a six-course meal at the restaurant. Most recently, UPSIDE announced that it had …

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VFC enters chilled category

© VFC
Meat- and Fish Alternatives

VFC Enters Chilled Category in “First Phase of an Exciting Pipeline” of Game-Changing NPDs

UK plant-based chicken brand VFC has made its debut in the chilled category as it continues on its mission to remove animals from the food chain. The new range includes a chilled version of the brand’s popular Crispy Chick*n Fillets, along with a brand new product — Piri Piri Chick*n Wings. The wings are said to be “perfect for sharing”, and come with a separate sachet of Piri Piri sauce. According to VFC, the launches are “the first phase of an exciting pipeline of NPD” and are part of a global growth strategy. The brand says it is hoping to bring incremental consumers to its products and to the plant-based category as a whole. “Natural next step” The new products follow a highly successful twelve …

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Guest trying cultivated chicken at Bar Crenn

Guest trying cultivated chicken at Bar Crenn ©UPSIDE Foods
Cultivated Meat

UPSIDE Foods: Reservations Now Open to Purchase Cultivated Meat in US For First Time

UPSIDE Foods announces the first reservations to try its historic cultivated chicken are now open to the public. On August 4, Bar Crenn in San Francisco will begin serving UPSIDE’s cultivated chicken as part of a six-course meal, marking the first time members of the public can sign up to purchase cultivated meat in the US.  The announcement comes just weeks after UPSIDE completed the first consumer sale of its cultivated chicken, also at Bar Crenn, to several winners selected from a social media contest. UPSIDE’s first official public seating will take place on August 4 at 5:00 pm PT, when Chef Dominique Crenn will serve the startup’s cultivated chicken as part of a six-course meal priced at $150.  During the dinner service, the chicken …

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Plant-based Chicken Sandwiches

©Recreate Foods
Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Former Burger King Chef Michael Salem Launches Recreate Foods to Revolutionize Plant-Based Chicken

Chef Michael Salem, the former head of culinary innovation at Burger King, announces the launch of Recreate Foods – a venture-backed, plant-based food company that specializes in chef-made chicken alternatives made to deliver better flavor than big-name competitors and conventional chicken. At Burger King, Salem played a pivotal role in bringing the Impossible Whopper to the chain’s menu, and was inspired to develop Recreate products while working on recipes for Kevin Hart’s vegan fast food chain, Hart House.  Speaking to vegconomist today, Salem states: “After 25 years as a chef and leading menu strategy and innovation for notable restaurant chains across the U.S., I was instantly amazed by the flavor of Recreate Foods’ plant-based chicken alternative. During my plant-based journey from Burger King to Hart …

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Girl Eating Alpha Foods Sandwich

©Alpha Foods
Company News

Alpha Foods Renovating Portfolio by Partnering with JUST Egg and Reformulating Core Products

US plant-based brand Alpha Foods announces it is renovating its portfolio through an upcoming partnership with JUST Egg and the integration of new HME (High-Moisture Extrusion) technology.  According to Alpha Foods, its renovation is inspired by retail and consumer insights showing the plant-based category is in need of more convenient, accessible products that offer improved nutrition.  As part of the revamp, the brand will collaborate with plant-based egg specialist JUST Egg to create a healthier and more sustainable breakfast landscape, Alpha Foods states. The companies will work together this fall. Better taste and texture Alpha is also introducing HME technology to process its plant-based Chik’n Strips, which are said to cook, shred, and taste just like traditional chicken. HME uses a specialized cooking and stirring …

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On The Green Side clean label chicken alternatives

© On The Green Side
Meat- and Fish Alternatives

On The Green Side: Clean-Label Chicken Alternatives From South Africa

On The Green Side is a South African plant-based meat producer focused on clean-label chicken alternatives. The company describes itself as a “modern chicken farmer”, aiming to directly compete with conventional chicken. Its products are made from a range of proteins, including soy, wheat gluten, faba bean, lentil, chickpea, and pea. Proprietary high moisture extrusion technology is used to give the plant-based chicken an authentically meat-like texture. On The Green Side already manufacturers for several major South African retailers, through both its own brand and private labels. The products are also available for food service, and the company is in the process of closing deals with global food manufacturers. Sales forecasts for 2023 predict a 50/50 split between local and global markets, changing to 10/90 …

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Schouten chickenless pops

© Schouten

Products & Launches

Dutch Family Company Schouten Europe Launches Southern Fried Chickenless Pops in Response to Market Trends

Schouten Europe, the first Dutch player in the development of meat alternatives based on plant proteins, is launching Southern Fried Chickenless Pops made from soy and wheat, in response to consumer trends. The family business, founded back in 1990, markets one of the most extensive and diverse assortments in the world and supplies its products, mainly under private labels, to more than 50 countries. The company also develops many products based on customer demand. Attractive concept Daphne Sanders, product developer at Schouten, explains that the choice of Southern fried flavor was made due to its popularity. “But various other flavor variations can be applied to these pops, making it an attractive concept for our business partners.” “The main protein sources for these pops are soy …

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Chef José Andrés grilling cultivated chicken

Image courtesy of GOOD Meat
Cultivated Meat

Historic Moment as GOOD Meat & Chef José Andrés Serves Cultivated Chicken at China Chilcano Restaurant

Last night, GOOD Meat, the cultivated meat division of Eat Just, Inc., made history by selling its cell-cultivated chicken for the first time in the USA.  The cell-cultivated chicken debuted at chef José Andrés’ restaurant, China Chilcano, in Washington, DC, in a landmark dinner honoring the 100th birthday of the late Willem van Eelen — the godfather of cultivated meat. The famous chef marinated and charcoal-grilled GOOD Meat’s chicken to make a Peruvian dish, Anticuchos de Pollo, served with native potatoes and ají Amarillo chimichurri. “I am proud that GOOD Meat is launching with José Andrés, beginning a new tradition of how Americans will eat meat in the many decades ahead. I am also humbled that our company can honor Willem van Eelen’s lasting legacy …

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Crenn Cultivated Chicken Dish at Bar Crenn

©UPSIDE Foods
Cultivated Meat

UPSIDE Foods: First-Ever Sale of Cultivated Meat in US Takes Place Today

UPSIDE Foods announces its whole-cut, cell-cultivated chicken is launching at Chef Dominique Crenn’s acclaimed Bar Crenn restaurant on July 1st – in what UPSIDE believes is the first-ever consumer sale of cultivated meat in the US. The first customers will be several winners selected from a social media contest held by UPSIDE. The event follows a historic month for UPSIDE, which recently gained regulatory approval from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to sell its cell-cultivated chicken to chefs, restaurants, and consumers. UPSIDE’s chicken is also the first meat product Chef Crenn will offer on her menu since 2018 – when the Crenn Dining Group stopped serving conventional meat out of concern for its environmental impact.  The July 1st event will feature UPSIDE’s cultivated chicken fried …

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BioCraft Pet Nutrition introduces cultivated chicken ingredient for pet food manufacturers

CEO Shannon Falconer with Nori and Gaia © Kezia Jauron
Pet Food

BioCraft Pet Nutrition Introduces Cultivated Chicken for Manufacturers Seeking Conventional Meat

BioCraft Pet Nutrition, formerly Because, Animals, known for its cultivated mouse meat ingredient, announces it has developed a new ingredient for cat and dog food: cultivated chicken.  BioCraft Pet Nutrition is a cultivated meat ingredients supplier for pet food manufacturers. It was founded in 2016 by Shannon Falconer to create sustainable, slaughter-free pet food. “More than 25 percent of the environmental impact of animal agriculture is attributed to feeding pets in the US alone: if cats and dogs occupied their own country, they would be the world’s fifth largest meat-consuming nation,” argues BioCraft Pet Nutrition. Conventional meat According to the company, chicken is among the conventional species preferred by pet food manufacturers and consumers as a protein source, despite being among the top allergens for cats and dogs. BioCraft Pet Nutrition …

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Shandi Global launches the world's first plant-powered shawarma

© Shandi Global FB
Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Shandi Global Launches Ultra High-Protein Vegan Shawarma in Singapore and Australia

Plant-based chicken brand Shandi Global recently launched a high-protein plant-based shawarma, claiming it to be a “world’s first” at Byblos Grill in Singapore in a week-long event for global audiences.  Under the brand FOREVER by Shandi, the shawarma first debuted at FHA Food & Beverage 2023 last April. It was also recently introduced in Australia in a night market at the University of Melbourne in collaboration with UMSU International and Melbourne Alternative Protein Project. “We are thrilled to have introduced our plant-based shawarma to the global audience and look forward to continuing to offer innovative and sustainable food choices to our customers and partners worldwide!”, shared Shandi Global on LinkedIn. Expanding home and overseas The Singaporean company owns one of the country’s largest plant-based chicken facilities, producing patties, chunks, shreds, breasts, …

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NotCo Plant-based Chicken Nuggets

©NotCo
Products & Launches

NotCo Launching NotChicken Burgers, Nuggets and Tenders Across Canada

Global food tech company NotCo announces it is launching a full range of plant-based NotChicken™ products in Canada, including burgers, nuggets and upcoming tenders.  Created with NotCo’s patented AI technology, the new chicken products are now available at major Canadian grocery stores nationwide. NotChicken is the company’s third product launch in Canada following the successful rollouts of NotMilk in 2021 and NotBurger in 2022.  Made with ingredients like peach, bamboo fiber, and fava bean, the new line of NotChicken products are non-GMO, cholesterol-free, and range in price from CAD $7.99 to $8.99. The company states the products are also proudly made in Canada.  Canada expansion In April, NotCo partnered with Canadian fast-casual chain Hero Certified Burgers, which added NotBurgers, NotChicken patties, tenders and two varieties of …

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UPSIDE Foods receives USDA label approval for its cultivated chicken

Image courtesy of UPSIDE Foods
Company News

UPDATED: UPSIDE Foods Receives First-Ever USDA Label Approval for Cultivated Meat

Update: We have been contacted by Eat Just which states its cultivated meat subsidiary GOOD Meat was in fact the first to receive USDA label approval, on June 8th (UPSIDE received approval June 12th) though was not intending to publicise the move until its GoI. We will report further on the situation. UPSIDE Foods announces it has become the first company in the world to receive USDA label approval for cultivated meat, specifically for its cultivated chicken The USDA, which regulates label approvals for meat, poultry, and egg products, officially approved the term “cell-cultivated chicken” for Upside Foods’ novel product on Monday, the 12th of June. UPSIDE Foods’ chicken, a cultivated meat product grown directly from animal cells, is subject to the exact labeling requirements …

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Quorn expands Chiqin range with vegan strips

© Quorn
Products & Launches

Quorn UK Expands ChiQin Range With Chef-Approved Vegan Strips for Food Service

Meat alternatives brand Quorn has expanded its successful ChiQin range with a new product for food service — Vegan Strips. Initially launching in the UK, the new products are set to roll out in the  Nordics, Germany, and BeNeLux, according to the company. Made with Quorn mycoprotein, the strips have already been certified by the Craft Guild of Chefs, the UK’s main professional chef association. The previously launched Buttermilk ChiQin Burger has also been certified. “The Craft Guild of Chefs certification gives our products a seal of approval that’s recognised across the industry, which we don’t take for granted. We’re delighted to achieve this stamp of excellence on our crispy coated ChiQin products,” says Phil Thornborrow, Foodservice Director at Quorn Foods UK. Describes as “crispy, …

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cultivated ground meat hot dog

Image courtesy of UPSIDE Foods
Company News

UPSIDE Foods Unveils Next Gen Cultivated Meat Products & Scientific Breakthrough

UPSIDE Foods announces a new consumer product line, including chicken sausages, chicken sandwiches, and dumplings made with cultivated ground meat, herbs, and plant-based proteins. Pending regulatory approval, this next generation of products marks an expansion of UPSIDE’s commercial portfolio, offering consumers a range of cultivated meat options. This new range follows the company’s signature cultivated chicken filet that made history last year when it received a landmark FDA green light, accepting UPSIDE’s safety conclusion.  The regulatory process for UPSIDE‘s new products will be a separate request from the cultivated chicken filet, which is currently undergoing review by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for remaining approvals, explains UPSIDE. Major scientific achievement Since introducing the world’s first cultivated beef meatball in 2016, UPSIDE has achieved various milestones in improving its …

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Vegan fried chicken

©VFC
Investments & Acquisitions

VFC Receives £6M for “Next Level” Expansion Plans and Ambitious NPD Pipeline

Vegan fried chicken brand VFC announces it has received a £6M ($7.4M) investment to further drive expansion in the UK and international markets. Led by Veg Capital, the funding will be used to grow VFC across multiple channels and introduce “game-changing” innovation in adjacent categories, such as chilled products, later this year.  Launched in 2020 by Adam Lyons and Veganuary founder Matthew Glover, VFC has since expanded throughout the UK and reached multiple global markets. According to the company, the past six months have seen especially strong growth, with brand coverage increasing tenfold. Exponential growth VFC reports its latest product innovations, including a “more meat-like” recipe, a new Spicy variety, and its first kids’ product, Stompers, has helped increase distribution at Sainsbury’s, as well as …

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TiNDLE Next Gen Foods

TiNDLE © Next Gen Foods
Retail & E-Commerce

TiNDLE Debuts in UK Retail With Burgers and Nuggets Arriving at 350 Morrisons Stores

After successfully testing its grocery products last winter in the UK, plant-based chicken brand TiNDLE, owned by Singaporean company Next Gen Foods, announces a grocery debut at UK retailers Morrisons as well as online plant-based grocery and delivery service Mighty Plants.  TiNDLE Burgers and TiNDLE Nuggets will roll out nationwide this week in over 350 Morrisons stores. Mighty Plants will offer TiNDLE’s full range: TiNDLE burgers, nuggets,  popcorn, tenders, and wings, later this month. Demand for plant-based chicken The move comes in response to rising consumer demand for plant-based chicken and is supported by a study commissioned by TiNDLE and conducted by Censuswide. According to Next Gen Foods, the study found that 68% of people in the UK believe plant-based meals will become more widely accepted in the …

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SHICKEN founders

© SHICKEN
Interviews

SHICKEN: “Aiming to Become a Household Name in Plant-Based and a £5M Food Brand”

SHICKEN Foods, the fast-growing ready meal producer specialising in plant-based Indian cuisine, was created during the pandemic in its founders’ kitchen, and since then has seen staggering growth, raising over £2 million from investment fund Veg Capital and upgrading to larger manufacturing sites as demand soars. SHICKEN secured its first retail launch at Costco stores across the UK in early 2022, before rolling out at hundreds of Tesco locations this January. The company is now said to be on track for ten times its current growth, with a significant increase in exports expected in 2023. We spoke to founders Parm and Satvinder Bains to find out what’s next for SHICKEN. How did SHICKEN Foods start and what is the role of your Indian family in …

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Quorn katsu fillets

© Quorn
Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Quorn Launches Vegan “Fakeaway” Katsu Fillets in the UK

Alt meat brand Quorn has expanded its chilled range in the UK with a new product — chicken-style Katsu Fillets. The fillets are made from Quorn’s mycoprotein-based meat-free chicken, coated in panko breadcrumbs and served with a coconut-based katsu curry sauce. The brand notes that katsu is “very on-trend right now”; at the beginning of the year, pub chain Wetherspoon began offering a katsu curry made with Quorn nuggets. According to Quorn, the new product will appeal to consumers looking to recreate restaurant dishes at home. It is said to be ideal for midweek dinners, as it comes in an oven-ready tray and is ready to eat in 20 minutes. “Crispy coated meat-free chicken continues to be a consumer favourite and many people are recreating …

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