Plant-Based Bahn Mi Salad

Photo by Ingrid Barrentine/Alaska Airlines

Tourism & Travel

Alaska Airlines Expands Vegan Meal Options with JUST Egg Frittata, Chili and More

Alaska Airlines, America’s fifth-largest air carrier, announces it is adding a larger variety of plant-based meal options to its First Class menus, including a JUST Egg Frittata, Tofu Wrap, and White Bean Chili, along with a new salad.  Available through pre-order, the new menu selections are available on all First Class meal service flights and include:  A Harissa and Chorizo Frittata made with JUST Egg Spicy Tofu Wrap White Bean Chili with Grilled Polenta Stand Bahn Mi Salad w/ Tofu In addition to the latest offerings, Alaska also introduced several other fully plant-based options last year: The “Soy Meets World” Salad and Healthy Resolutions Vegan Salad, both developed in partnership with Evergreen.  Beyond salad Across the world, more airlines are increasingly expanding vegan meal options …

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UK's first branded plant-based meat-filled pasta

© Meatless Farm

Products & Launches

Meatless Farm Launches “UK’s First” Branded Plant-Based Meat-Filled Pasta

Meatless Farm has launched a selection of new products in the UK, including what it claims are the country’s first branded plant-based meat-filled pastas. Two varieties of pasta are available — Beef, Red Wine & Porcini Mushroom Girasole and No-Duja Ravioli. Both are high-protein, low in sugar, and can be prepared in 4-5 minutes. Meatless Farm has also launched two more products, targeting the barbecue season. The first is the New York Style Cheezeburger, based on the brand’s original plant-based meat burger and featuring a smoky vegan cheese melt. Building on the success of its chipolata range, Meatless Farm has also launched Chorizo-Style Sausages, flavoured with paprika for a Spanish-style taste. They are said to be ideal for tapas, along with dishes such as paella. …

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Abbot's Butcher plant-based Ground "Beef" and Chopped Chick'n available at Sprouts Farmers Market.

©Abbot's Butcher

Retail & E-Commerce

Abbot’s Butcher Launches Clean-Label Chorizo and Chopped Chick’n at US Sprouts Markets

Abbot’s Butcher, maker of clean-label plant-based proteins, announces the debut of its “Chorizo” and Chopped Chick’n in all 370 Sprouts Farmers Markets across the US.  The natural retailer will carry the products in its refrigerated case. Made with 100% whole food ingredients, Abbot’s Butcher’s proteins are free from soy, gluten, preservatives, natural and artificial flavors, canola oil, and the top nine allergens. The products are also Non-GMO Project Verified and the first plant-based meat line to receive Whole30 approval. “Launching with Sprouts is an incredibly exciting step for us,” said Founder & CEO Kerry Song. “There is an undeniable shift taking place in how consumers are thinking about their food, and they are actively seeking out food made with ingredients that truly nourish their bodies. …

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Squeaky-Bean-Cooking-Chorizo-Style-Sausage

© Squeaky Bean

Products & Launches

Squeaky Bean Launches Chorizo-Style Sausage Made From Fava Beans

British brand Squeaky Bean, best known for its plant-based deli meat slices, has launched a new chorizo-style sausage. Made from fava bean and pea protein, the sausage is cured in the same way as conventional Spanish chorizo for an authentic flavour and texture. Seasoned with chilli, smoked paprika, and garlic, it can be eaten hot or cold and takes just three minutes to cook. Global vegan chorizo launches Worldwide, various other companies have launched alternatives to chorizo. In March, US brand RollinGreens debuted shelf-stable vegan chorizo, and Spain’s Heura launched the world’s first plant-based chorizo burger. Two months earlier, Texas-based burrito chain Freebirds began offering vegan chorizo made by Abbott’s Butcher, while Upton’s Naturals launched its chorizo alternative in South Africa. Chipotle also now offers …

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Central Market Meatless Butcher

©Central Market

Company News

H-E-B’s Central Market Opens First Meatless Butcher Counter in Austin, TX

Central Market, a fine foods retailer owned by Texas grocery chain H-E-B, has opened a dedicated Meatless Butcher counter in its Austin, TX store. Located in the produce department, the traditionally-designed counter features a large variety of plant-based meats, including chicken and beef fajitas, kabobs, chicken wings, pepperoni and brisket.  “Great value as a differentiator” The new installation makes Central Market one of the first US grocery chains to offer such a meatless counter. Phil Myers, Central Market’s Director of Food Service, says the chain wanted to meet demand for plant-based meat options while upholding its reputation as “a destination for things that you can’t find elsewhere, and especially things that we make”, Myers told San Antonio Express-News.  Among the many proteins offered, Meatless Butcher …

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Abbot's Butcher Chorizo in Target

©Abbot's Butcher

Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Abbot’s Butcher Makes Huge US Retail Expansion into Over 1,000 Target Stores

Abbot’s Butcher, producer of premium plant-based meats, announces a massive retail expansion into major US retail stores. The brand’s plant-based Chorizo is now available at 1,215 Target locations nationwide, while its entire product line is also expanding into 150+ locations of The Fresh Market and 73 Fresh Thyme groceries.  The announcement marks the largest retail growth by Abbot’s Butcher to date. Over the past year, the clean-label brand has experienced 700% sales growth in the natural channel and is projected to triple its growth in 2022. Made from non-GMO pea protein, Abbot’s Butcher products are created to offer healthier protein alternatives crafted from simple ingredients. Retailing for $7.99, its Ground “Beef”, Chorizo and Chopped Chick’n are free from soy, gluten, canola oil and artificial additives, …

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Heura Chorizo Burger

©Heura Foods

Products & Launches

Heura Launches the World’s First Vegan Chorizo Burger

Spain’s fast-growing plant meat star Heura Foods has presented the world’s first 100% vegan chorizo burger at Madrid’s chic Zielou restaurant. The Choriburger, which is suitable for coeliacs, is made from soy protein and provides a high content of vitamin B12, according to the company. It also contains 56.5% less fat and 25% less saturated fat than chorizo pork. Heura Products With this launch, Heura now has a total of three offerings within the pork category, including the sausages and chorizo ​​presented in 2021, and adds the tenth product to the brand’s portfolio, which encompasses snacks, nuggets and meatballs, among other options within the chicken, beef and pork categories. Heura’s co-founder and director Bernat Ananos states that “achieving a more sustainable food system that protects …

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Chipotle Vegan Chorizo

Image courtesy of Chipotle

Gastronomy & Food Service

Chipotle Launches Vegan Chorizo in All US Restaurants

Chipotle Mexican Grill announced the nationwide rollout of the chain’s highly-anticipated Plant-Based Chorizo, available for a limited time.  Made from pea protein, Chipotle peppers, tomato paste, garlic, Spanish smoked paprika, and extra virgin olive oil, Chipotle says the new chorizo offers the “rich flavor” and “slight kick that chorizo fans crave.” The Plant-Based Chorizo will also be featured in Chipotle’s new Lifestyle Bowls, pre-arranged entrees designed to appeal to different dietary preferences and make healthy eating more accessible. The new chorizo-centered bowls include the Whole30Ⓡ Salad Bowl (Supergreens Lettuce Blend, Plant-Based Chorizo, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Fajita Veggies, Guacamole) Vegetarian Bowl, and Vegan Bowl (White Rice, Black Beans, Plant-Based Chorizo, Corn Salsa, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Shredded Romaine Lettuce.) The company says the Plant-Based Chorizo is certified …

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Abbots Butcher Plant-Based meats

©Abbot's Butcher

Food & Beverage

Abbot’s Butcher Selected as First Whole30 Approved Plant-Based Meat

Abbot’s Butcher, a leader in clean-label plant-based beef, chicken, and chorizo, announced the brand has become the first Whole30 Certified plant-based meat.  Whole30 is a popular health program that promotes eliminating certain foods – including dairy, added sugar, and grains – thought to contribute to inflammation and other chronic health issues. The Whole30 Approved label recognizes products that meet the organization’s strict standards for minimally-processed, nutritious foods made without synthetic chemicals.  Containing only pea protein, olive oil, vinegar, herbs, and spices, Abbot Butcher’s Ground “Beef” and Pork “Chorizo” became the first animal-free meat products to fully satisfy all of the program’s requirements.  Founded in Southern California in 2017, Abbot’s Butcher aims to lead the “next generation” of plant-based meats – products crafted from simple and …

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