Revo Foods launches THE KRAKEN plant based octopus

© Revo Foods

Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Revo Foods Unveils ‘THE KRAKEN’ Plant-Based Octopus Crafted from Fungi Protein

Austrian startup Revo Foods today announces a “culinary innovation” with what it describes as the world’s first plant-based alternative to octopus tentacles, created with fungi protein. When asked as to its production methods, Revo responded that it is “testing a unique new 3D structuring approach” for which further details cannot be revealed as yet. Branded as “THE KRAKEN – Inspired by Octopus”, the product is ready to eat but can also be grilled, fried, or baked. It can be used to replicate classic octopus-based dishes such as the Spanish Pulpo a la Gallega or Greek Octopus Salad. The mycoprotein tentacles are said to offer an authentic aroma, taste and texture, a Nutriscore A nutritional profile grading, as well as a high omega-3 fatty acid content …

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Quorn katsu style chicken

© Quorn Foods

Science

Changing the Game for Vegan Analogs: Study Explores Effects of Iron Fortification in Mycoprotein Products Without Egg Whites

In the ever-evolving landscape of food industry innovations, the spotlight is now on the development of meat alternatives that provide consumers with a sustainable option and meet the nutritional needs of comparable animal proteins. A recent study by Professor Brent Murray from the University of Leeds, funded by Quorn Foods, investigated the effects of iron fortification in mycoprotein products developed with potato protein instead of egg whites. Egg whites are incorporated into mycoprotein products as functional ingredients and binders to create appealing textures. However, the growing demand for plant-based meat alternatives and egg allergenicity are driving the replacement of egg white proteins with plant proteins.  In a related research about the interactions between fungal hyphae and egg white protein the scientists found that that potato proteins offer high …

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A chicken alternative made with ABUNDA

© ENOUGH

Fermentation

UK Mycoprotein Startup ENOUGH Signs Commercial Deal with Cargill

Food tech company ENOUGH announces that it has extended its partnership with agribusiness giant Cargill. Through the deal, Cargill is to sign a commercial agreement to use and market ENOUGH’S mycoprotein ingredient ABUNDA and to invest in its recent Series C round. ABUNDA is described as a highly versatile ingredient that provides all nine essential amino acids and dietary fiber. It is said to have a neutral taste, making it highly versatile in multiple applications. ENOUGH leverages biomass fermentation to produce its signature product at a large scale. The protein is grown by feeding fungi renewable feedstocks to make a sustainable food protein source.  Upscaling in Europe ENOUGH states that its collaboration with Cargill, “benefiting from its global footprint and feedstock technology expertise,” will allow it to …

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Marco Bertacca, CEO of Quorn Foods

Marco Bertacca, CEO of Quorn Foods © Quorn

Interviews

Quorn Foods: “We Are Expecting the Category to Recharge and Rebuild This Year”

Launched in 1985, Quorn Foods is one of the UK’s oldest and most successful meat alternative brands. The company was the first to recognise the potential of mycoprotein, a form of single-cell protein derived from fungi, as a healthier and more sustainable protein source. Quorn products are now available in 14 countries, for both retail and food service. In 2023, Quorn’s parent company, Marlow Foods, created an ingredients division to make its mycoprotein available to other brands. Later in the year, the company’s food service unit was rebranded to QuornPro, with the aim of giving the unit its own values and mission. Quorn already has highly successful food service partnerships with major chains such as KFC, Greggs, JD Wetherspoon, and more. We spoke to Marco …

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Enifer Secures €12 million grant to build a first-of-its-kind mycoprotein ingredient factory

Image courtesy of Enifer

Investments & Finance

Enifer Receives €12M EU Grant for “First-of-its-Kind” Mycoprotein Facility in Finland

Finnish biotech startup Enifer announces that it has received a grant worth over €12 million from the European Union’s NextGenerationEU programme, to construct its first commercial-scale mycoprotein facility in the Uusimaa region (the exact location has not been revealed). Enifer has developed a mycoprotein ingredient called PEKILO using fungal fermentation, industrial byproducts, and waste streams. The plant’s total construction cost is €30 million and is set to be completed by the end of 2025, with production starting in 2026. Once operational, the biotech claims that the mycoprotein factory, the first-of-its-kind, will be ready to produce three million kilograms of PEKILO per year — equivalent to the protein yield of 30,000 cows while emitting at least 20 times fewer carbon emissions. “This plant will be a critical …

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A bowl of mycoprotien meatballs

© Nosh Biofoods

Health

New Study Highlights the Potential of Mycelium as a Nutritious Solution to World Hunger

A new study authored by leading food scientists, including Harold H. Schmitz, Chair of the Scientific Board of Meati Foods, explores the potential of mycelium, the roots of filamentous fungi, to improve human health, support a sustainable food system, and to reduce food insecurity, malnutrition, and world hunger. According to the authors, mycelium is a cost-effective alternative to animal meat: it delivers meaty texture and neutral flavor while offering high-quality proteins, fibers, and essential micronutrients (iron, zinc, and vitamin B12), holding the potential to improve public health.  Additionally, its production is scalable, affordable, and fast. They also highlight the potential of mycelium in addressing environmental concerns in food production since it is environmentally sustainable, with the additional surplus of helping reduce food waste through fermentation. According to the …

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Quorn's chicken strips

© Quorn

Ingredients

Vaess and Marlow Ingredients Join Forces to Drive Innovation in Mycoprotein Products

Dutch food tech company Vaess and UK company Marlow Ingredients have announced a collaboration that they say will strengthen their global presence to lead the sustainable ingredients industry. The companies, claiming to be the first in the world to develop binding systems for mycoprotein products, will leverage each other’s experience in the field to make high-quality and tasty mycoprotein alternatives. Vaess, previously Vaessen-Schoemaker, uses technology to offer functional ingredients and solutions to drive innovation in food products, including plant-based products for “tomorrow’s trends and today’s needs.” The company has been operating for over 75 years.  Marlow Ingredients is a recently established division of Marlow Foods, the manufacturer of Quorn Foods’ mycoprotein, which commercializes the fermented protein for the F&B industry; both companies operate under the Monde Nissin Corporation. Marlow Ingredients’ first client is Denmark’s Tempty Foods. Joris Hermans, director …

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Austrian startup Revo Foods introduces THE FILET, a mycoprotein-based salmon filet.

Image courtesy of Revo Foods

Products & Launches

Revo Foods’ Mycoprotein-Based Salmon Filet Becomes First 3D-Printed Alternative to Hit Supermarket Shelves

Austrian startup Revo Foods introduces THE FILET, a mycoprotein-based salmon filet that will be available from the 14th of September at REWE’s famous vegan superstore, the 200-metre square Billa Pflanzilla. According to Revo Foods, it is the first-ever 3D-printed product available in supermarkets worldwide. Revo Foods and Swedish startup Mycorena collaborated to develop the 3D-printable mycoprotein, utilizing Mycorena’s Promyc ingredient. The project received €1.5 million from Swedish innovation agency Vinnova, the Austrian Research Promotion Agency, and the cross-border EU funding program Eurostars. With its primary ingredient being mycoprotein, THE FILET is a clean-label product that is said to offer remarkable nutritional values, such as high protein content and Omega-3. The product has received a Nutriscore of A in recognition of its nutritional benefits. Founded in 2020, Revo Foods is pioneering large-volume 3D food …

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Natures Fynd cheese spread on bagel

© Nature's Fynd

Company News

Nature’s Fynd Receives Health Canada’s Approval to Market Alt Products Powered by the “Fungus from Yellowstone Park”

Chicago-based Nature’s Fynd has received authorization from Health Canada, the federal department responsible for national health standards and policy, to commercialize its alt meat and dairy products made with a novel fungi protein called Fy. Nature’s Fynd grows its fungi protein using proprietary fermentation and a fungus called Fusarium strain flavolapis, discovered in Yellowstone Park’s geothermal springs. The novel protein is used as a whole ingredient to make animal-free foods. According to Health Canada, the product approval came after a comprehensive assessment of Fy Protein’s safety for human consumption. In the USA, Nature’s Fynd received FDA greenlight for its fungi ingredient in March 2021.  Similarly, the Canadian food company Smallfood also discovered a wild microalgae strain capable of producing premium proteins through biomass fermentation. The company is …

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Jim Laird (CEO) and Elaine Ferguson (CFO).

Jim Laird (CEO) and Elaine Ferguson (CFO) - Image courtesy of ENOUGH

Investments & Finance

ENOUGH Secures €40M to Scale Production of Mycoprotein to Meet Demand for Sustainable Proteins

Food tech company ENOUGH announces it has raised €40 million in funding to increase the production of its mycoprotein ingredient ABUNDA to meet the growing demand for sustainable proteins. This new funding brings the total capital raised by ENOUGH to over €95 million.  Based in The Netherlands and the UK, ENOUGH currently has a team of 56 employees. With the new injection of capital, the company also aims to double its workforce in Glasgow, London, and Sas van Gent.  The round was co-led by World Fund, a European climate tech VC, and previous investor CPT Capital. Axa Impact Fund (AXA IM Alts), 280ppm (HAL Investments), Olympic Investments Inc. (Onassis Group), Tailored Solutions, and Scottish Enterprise also backed ENOUGH in this round. “The alternative protein market is a …

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mycoprotein, ProVeg NFH

Image: ProVeg New Food Hub

Fungi, Mushrooms & Mycelium

What’s the Role of Fungi Protein in the Future of Food?

On May 30th, Quorn Foods hosted its first-ever Mycoprotein Summit, an exclusive gathering of changemakers to explore the role of fungi protein in a healthier and more sustainable food future. Held at London’s Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the inaugural Mycoprotein Summit shared research presentations and panel discussions from pioneering thinkers, leading academics, and industry experts, spotlighting fungi-based protein. ProVeg International’s Content Writer and Creator Gemma Tadman was invited to attend the innovative summit. In ProVeg’s latest New Food Hub article, Gemma shares her experiences, key takeaways, and business recommendations. Mycoprotein is a ‘high-quality’ protein A stand-out learning comes from scientific research on Mycoprotein amino acid digestibility and muscle growth potential. During a panel discussion at the Summit, lead speaker Dr Tim Finnigan, Visiting Professor at …

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RIP Foods street food

© RIP Foods

Fermentation

Mycorena and RIP Foods Partner Up to Create Mycoprotein-Based Street Food

Mycoprotein specialist Mycorena and Spain’s plant-based street food brand RIP Foods are collaborating to develop mycelium-based street food appealing to mainstream customers.  Today, Mycorena announced their first joint creation using mycoprotein  — a vegan kofta inspired by Middle Eastern flavors. The product is set to launch soon in the Netherlands at plant-based restaurant Karma Kebab. “Mycorena and RIP Foods share many traits, working tirelessly with R&D and strongly focusing on innovation and technology to improve taste and texture that will please flexitarians and meat eaters,” said the Finnish company. First step in the Mediterranean market Based in Barcelona, RIP raised €625,000 in a pre-seed funding round last year. Its retailer and food service portfolio includes plant-based gyozas and various flavors of bao, skewers, spring rolls, and katsu. Recently, the company …

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RIP Foods street food

© RIP Foods

Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

Mycorena and RIP Foods Partner Up to Create Mycoprotein-Based Street Food

Mycoprotein specialist Mycorena and Spain’s plant-based street food brand RIP Foods are collaborating to develop mycelium-based street food appealing to mainstream customers.  Today, Mycorena announced their first joint creation using mycoprotein  — a vegan kofta inspired by Middle Eastern flavors. The product is set to launch soon in the Netherlands at plant-based restaurant Karma Kebab. “Mycorena and RIP Foods share many traits, working tirelessly with R&D and strongly focusing on innovation and technology to improve taste and texture that will please flexitarians and meat eaters,” said the Finnish company. First step in the Mediterranean market Based in Barcelona, RIP raised €625,000 in a pre-seed funding round last year. Its retailer and food service portfolio includes plant-based gyozas and various flavors of bao, skewers, spring rolls, and katsu. Recently, the company …

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Prime Roots x Quorn

Image supplied

Fungi, Mushrooms & Mycelium

Quorn & Prime Roots Collaborate to Expand Market for Mycelium-Based Alt Meats

Quorn and Prime Roots have announced a collaboration in the US to develop market expansion opportunities for mycelium-based alt meats. The companies will also develop new products together, and Quorn will make a minority investment in Prime Roots. The collaboration is a natural fit, as both brands use proprietary mycelium-based technologies to produce meat alternatives. Both are also members of the Fungi Protein Association, formed last November to represent the interests of the industry. Based in Berkeley, California, Prime Roots makes deli-style products from koji fungus; these include alternatives to salami, pepperoni, bacon, pâté, and fois gras. Last month, the company secured $30 million in Series B funding, taking the total amount it has raised to $50 million. Prime Roots also became the first mycelium-based …

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Tempty Foods

© Marlow Ingredients/Tempty Foods

Fungi, Mushrooms & Mycelium

Denmark’s Tempty Foods Becomes First Brand to Use Mycoprotein by Marlow Ingredients

In April, Quorn’s parent company Marlow Foods announced that it was creating an ingredients division to make its mycoprotein available to other manufacturers. Now, Denmark’s Tempty Foods is set to become the first brand (other than Quorn itself) to use the protein. Tempty is already available in Denmark’s food service sector, and was the first Danish company to ever offer mycoprotein-based products. The partnership with Marlow will allow it to further expand and accelerate growth. “The introduction of Marlow mycoprotein into our products will give us a sustainable and competitive edge. It will also empower us to continue creating next-generation alternatives that focus on the key values of taste and nutrition, rather than imitating meat,” said Martina Lokajova, CEO and co-founder of Tempty Foods. “Huge …

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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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© eniferBio

Fungi, Mushrooms & Mycelium

Finland’s EniferBio Raises €11M to Scale Up Production of Upcycled Mycoprotein

Finnish biotech startup eniferBio, which produces upcycled mycoprotein powder from food and agricultural byproducts, has raised €11 million in Series A funding. The round was led by Aqua-Spark, with participation from Tesi, Valio, Voima Ventures, and Nordic Foodtech VC. EniferBio will use the funding to scale up production of its mycoprotein powder to thousands of tons per year, along with seeking regulatory approval both in the EU and further afield. Called PEKILO, the mycoprotein is produced through fermentation and contains up to 70% protein. It is also highly sustainable, requiring very little land and water to produce. While the protein was initially developed decades ago as a more sustainable form of animal feed, eniferBio is exploring an array of other applications, including human food. The …

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Marlow Foods

© Marlow Foods

Ingredients

Quorn Parent Company Marlow Foods Creates Ingredients Division, Making Mycoprotein Available to Manufacturers

Marlow Foods, the parent company of leading UK  brand Quorn, is set to make its hero ingredient mycoprotein available to other food and beverage manufacturers. Derived from fungi, mycoprotein is rich in protein and fiber and low in saturated fat. Studies indicate that it can boost healthy gut bacteria, along with reducing the intestinal genotoxins that cause bowel cancer. The ingredient also uses 90% less land and water than beef, while generating 98% fewer carbon emissions. After producing mycoprotein for over 40 years, Marlow has created a new division called Marlow Ingredients to make the protein available to other producers. The ingredient will initially launch in Europe, before expanding further afield. The move is part of the company’s mission to become a net-positive business by …

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Mycorena brewing protein

© Mycorena

Company News

Mycorena Develops System for Brewing Protein in Space Using Algae and Fungi

Swedish food tech company Mycorena announces that its innovative circular system for brewing protein in space using algae and fungi has been selected as a finalist of the Deep Space Food Challenge (DSFC). According to the company, out of 300 teams from 32 countries, only 11 remain in the competition.  The DSFC is a competition coordinated by NASA and the Canadian Space Agency to develop technologies that enable resource-efficient food production for long-term space missions. Additionally, it aims to accelerate innovation to create sustainable food production systems that produce nutritious, safe, and delicious food. Algae-fungi circular solution Mycorena developed a technology for the competition that uses fungi and algae in a closed-circuit system called AFCiS to optimize resource efficiency. It involves bioreactors and food production modules, …

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mycoprotein meatballs in tomato sauce

© Patrycja-stock.adobe.com

Fermentation

Danish Yummowia Project Leverages Syn Bio to Transform Yeast into Mycoprotein Meat

Yummowia, a project spin-off from the Technical University of Denmark led by Professor Irina Borodina to develop an engineered mycoprotein meat alternative from yeast, has been accepted into the Bio Studio accelerator program of the BioInnovation Institute (BII) in Denmark. Backed by a maximum grant of €1 million per year for up to three years, BII will assist the project with business development expertise, intellectual property support, access to an investor network, and wet lab and office infrastructure. BII’s Bio Studio program supports world-leading entrepreneurial principal investigators (PI) who want to translate innovative research ideas into new solutions to benefit planetary and human health. Additionally, BII, with its Venture Lab accelerator, helps grow and scale startups such as FÆRM, which is crafting the next generation of plant-based …

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