Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Better Balance launches Better Nera with Chunk Foods

© Sigma

Better Balance Launches Plant-Based Whole Cut ‘Better-Nera’ in Spain with Chunk Foods

Following the announcement this January that the company was to develop co-branded plant-based whole cuts for the Latin American market in collaboration with Chunk Foods, Better Balance now presents the 100% plant-based “Better-nera” cut for the Spanish market. Also co-developed with vegan steak specialist Chunk Foods, using a patented solid-state fermentation technology, this innovative cut of plant meat is a pioneer in its category in Spain, says Better Balance, a subsidiary of the Sigma group. Better-nera has a high protein content (21%) and is an excellent source of fibre, enriched with iron and vitamin B12. In addition, it is cholesterol-free, low in saturated fat and sodium, and contains no artificial colours or preservatives. The product has been categorised with Nutriscore A and can be prepared …

more

Organisations and brands:

Vegan Pulled Pork, M Food Group

Vegan Pulled Pork © M Food Group

EU Meat Producers Driving Plant-Based Market Growth in Europe, Part 2

After looking closely at meat producers in the Americas starting plant-based projects last year, this series now looks at the meat producers in Europe that have entered the plant-based market. As vegans, some consumers may prefer not to fund companies that are in the business of killing animals. However, it would be remiss not to acknowledge that large producers have the ability to mass-produce at scale and bring plant-based products into the mainstream, thus helping to lower prices. This will be the second of our three-part series, following the first installment as published last week, covering meat producers in Europe that have ventured into plant-based, in no particular order. Campofrio – Spain  Campofrío Food Group, a subsidiary of Sigma Alimentos, is a European leader in …

more

Organisations and brands:

Rügenwalder Mühle new vegan ham

© Rügenwalder Mühle

Rügenwalder Mühle Further Expands Vegan Range After Discontinuing Animal Ham

Following the announcement that Rügenwalder Mühle was to discontinue its meat-based Schinken Spicker sausage to increase capacity for the vegan segment, the company now releases the next product in its vegan Schinken Spicker range. The family business, recently acquired by Pfeifer & Langen, is further expanding its vegetarian and vegan segment and is launching the new Vegan Ham Spicker type meat sausage with pea protein. With its strong and spicy flavour and a slight smoky note, it is modelled on a meat sausage in one piece. According to the company, the new product clearly stands out from the sliced Vegan Ham Spicker in terms of both flavour and range of uses. The Vegan Ham Spicker Meat Sausage can be prepared both hot and cold, is …

more

Organisations and brands:

VION_me-at_spareribs

© Vion Food Group

EU Meat Producers Driving Plant-Based Market Growth in Europe, Part 1

Europe experienced some of the most significant growth in the plant-based food sector globally, with the industry expanding by a reported 49% between 2018 and 2020 amid the first bubble of hype, post-Beyond IPO. This surge didn’t go unnoticed by the EU’s leading meat producers. Possessing well-established brands, extensive marketing capabilities, and solid distribution channels—bolstered by government subsidies—these traditional meat companies have substantial resources for research and development. Their entrance into the plant-based market undoubtedly raises consumer awareness and accessibility of these alternatives. However, this shift can present a challenge for startups competing in the same space. After looking closely at meat producers in the Americas starting plant-based projects last year, this series now looks at Europe. The European market is characterized by its high …

more

Organisations and brands:

THIS™ Isn’t Chicken Shawarma packshot

© THIS

THIS and Planted Launch Plant-Based Chicken NPDs in UK as Vegan Chicken Market Soars

This week, two behemoths in the world of plant-based meats — THIS of the UK and Planted of Switzerland — this week both launch vegan chicken formats in the form of Asian rotisserie-style meat products. According to Global Market Insights, the market for plant-based chicken is projected to grow with a CAGR of 16% to 2032. THIS, the UK’s fastest-growing food brand (Alantra, Fast 50, 2022), this week reveals its latest NPD, THIS™ Isn’t Chicken Shawarma. Based on its THIS Isn’t Chicken Pieces recipe, THIS has leveraged its “chicken-iest” tasting vegan chicken pieces for the shawarma pieces, created with soy and fava bean protein, with a blend of spices including smoked paprika, cumin, coriander seed, cassia, ginger, mint and cayenne pepper. THIS claims that THIS …

more

Organisations and brands:

A close up of a man's hands tearing apart a piece of 3D printer plant-based beef steak to show the muscle-like fibres.

© Steakholder Foods

Steakholder Foods Enters US Market with Ready Blends for 3D Plant-Based Meat and Fish

Israeli bioprinting technology expert Steakholder Foods (Nasdaq: STKH) has entered the US market with the launch of SHMeat and SHFish; blended dried extracts of ingredients ready for mixing to create 3D plant-based alternatives. The initial blends, Beef Steak and White Fish have been developed to replicate the taste and texture of traditional meat while delivering superior quality and flavor. Steakholder Foods plans to expand its plant-based offering with a range of other “exciting” blends to cater to various culinary preferences: Beef Asado, Beef Tenderloin, Beef Flank, Chicken Fillet, and Salmon. According to the announcement, all the ingredients of the new blends have already achieved Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status, underscoring the company’s dedication to consumer health and safety. This move marks the company’s first step …

more

Organisations and brands:

Die Vegane Fleischerei team

© Die Vegane Fleischerei

German Vegan Butcher Die Vegane Fleischerei Launches €89K Crowdfunding Campaign

German vegan butcher shop Die Vegane Fleischerei has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Startnext, with the aim of raising €89,000. The funding will be used to purchase equipment that will enable Die Vegane Fleischerei to scale up production, such as a vacuum sausage filler, a steam convection furnace, and a vacuum cutter. By making production more efficient, the equipment will allow the company to reduce the prices of its products, making plant-based meat accessible to more people. Die Vegane Fleischerei has a focus on sustainability and animal welfare rather than profit, and is therefore trying to finance itself independently from banks and traditional investors. Backers will receive surprise rewards. Controversial beginning Die Vegane Fleischerei currently has three stores — two in Munich and one in …

more

Organisations and brands:

Beyond meat beef crumbles

© Beyond Meat

Beyond Meat Launches Revamped Plant-Based Crumbles, Earning American Heart and Diabetes Association Certifications

Plant-based meat leader Beyond Meat has introduced an updated and expanded selection of Beyond Crumbles, now available in the freezer sections of grocery stores throughout the United States. This latest iteration of the company’s plant-based crumbles is offered in three flavors, and has notably received third-party certifications from both the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check Food Certification Program and the American Diabetes Association’s Better Choices for Life Program. The revamped Beyond Crumbles range is available in: Beyond Beef Crumbles Original, Beyond Beef Crumbles Feisty, and a new addition, Beyond Sausage Crumbles Italian-Style, which will hit shelves this summer. The new crumbles can be prepared from frozen in minutes and each serving contains 12 grams of protein, less than one gram of saturated fat, and no cholesterol. …

more

Organisations and brands:

OLALA plant-based seafood brand design

© OLALA!

OLALA! Unveils New Brand Design for Alt Seafood That “Breaks Through Ordinary Taste Experiences”

French plant-based seafood startup OLALA! has collaborated with Scandinavian consumer branding and design agency Everland to develop a new brand design centred around taste. While many plant-based brands focus their marketing on the ethics of their products, OLALA! believes taste is the key to repeat purchases. The startup aims to “break through ordinary taste experiences” with products aimed at all gourmet foodies, not just vegans. The new brand design takes inspiration from bistros, with an off-white colour that resembles a tablecloth, eye-catching golden illustrations, and the O in the logo suggesting a plate. The brand name is inspired by the French phrase “Oh là là”, indicating a pleasant surprise. “When nearly all competitors focus on rationality and sustainability, we focus on the emotional aspects of …

more

Organisations and brands:

Marissa Bronfman Future Ocean Foods

Marissa Bronfman © Future Ocean Foods

Future Ocean Foods: “We See Innovation and Entrepreneurship as Main Drivers of Meaningful Change for Our Oceans”

Future Ocean Foods (FOF) was launched in November 2023 by Marissa Bronfman, serial entrepreneur and business advisor within the plant-based food space, with the aim of supporting and accelerating the alternative seafood industry worldwide. The organization currently represents a coalition of 36 pioneering companies from 14 countries, encompassing a range of technologies including plant-based, fermentation, and cultivated food and technology, united in a mission to promote food security, human health, environmental sustainability, and ocean conservation. It was a pleasure to catch up again with Marissa, who outlines some of the key areas in which FOF is working to create meaningful change. Change that we urgently need as our population increases to a catastrophic number of human beings while the population of our oceans hits crisis …

more

Organisations and brands:

Mooji Meats premium plant-based ribeye steak

© Mooji Meats

Mooji Meats: Bringing Premium Plant-Based Ribeye Steaks to Fine Dining

Mooji Meats is a Harvard spinoff that has developed a premium plant-based ribeye steak with the aim of bringing meat alternatives to fine dining. The company uses a proprietary platform to replicate muscle structure with plant fibers, claiming to offer the firmest texture and most authentic mouthfeel available. The plant-based steak is described as juicy with real marbling and connective tissues that mimic animal meat when cut. Currently, the plant-based ribeye is being piloted at select upscale steakhouses on the East Coast. This includes Vinyl Steakhouse in Chelsea, Manhattan, where the dish is priced at $47. Larger partnerships will be announced later in the year. “The perfect meat-free ribeye” Mooji Meats was founded in 2022 and quickly saw success after participating in Y Combinator, a …

more

Organisations and brands:

Charcuterie company Aoste launches plant-based products

© Aoste

French Charcuterie Company Aoste Launches Plant-Based Meat Alternatives

French charcuterie company Aoste has expanded its presence in the meat alternatives market with the launch of a new range of products under the Better Balance brand. The range features five meat alternatives — burgers, sausages, breaded cutlets, original chunks, and chunks with herbs. They are made from ingredients such as soy, peas, wheat, and vegetable oil, and are free of palm oil. The products will be available for both retail and food service, and all five have received a Nutriscore of A. The launch is said to be Aoste’s most significant in a decade in the French market, and the company aims to achieve a 10% market share in plant-based by 2026 according to Points de Vente. Aoste will promote Better Balance through a …

more

Organisations and brands:

Umiami has recently secured €32.5 million in funding in a Series A round, bringing its overall capital raised to an impressive €100 million in just three years.

© Umiami

Umiami Opens France’s First Commercial-Scale Facility for Plant-Based Whole Cuts

Umiami, the French leader in plant-based whole cuts, announces the opening of its much anticipated first commercial-scale manufacturing plant in Alsace, Eastern France.  The French food tech company states that its plant-based chicken and fish filet production expansion will solidify its position as a key player in European and North American markets. The new factory, a former Unilever production facility acquired by Umiami in 2022, occupies a space of 14,000 m2 and has an annual production capacity of 7,500 tons, which is planned to increase to 20,000 in the future. It currently employs a staff of 53, with the potential to reach 70 employees. The acquisition and rehabilitation of the facility has been possible through a €38 million investment, the support of investors and the French …

more

Organisations and brands:

Zyrcular Foods plant-based chicken gyozas

© Zyrcular Foods

Zyrcular Foods Showcases Multicultural Plant-Based Solutions for Catering at Alimentaria Barcelona 

Zyrcular Foods, a Spanish firm specializing in the development, production, and distribution of alternative protein products, is showcasing its portfolio of 100% plant-based and mycoprotein (Quorn) alternatives for food service at Spain’s leading food, beverage, and gastronomy show Alimentaria, which will take place until March 21st. Zyrcular Foods’ product line includes a multicultural and diverse range of offerings, including alt meat and fish burgers from the company’s brand Amara, nuggets, chorizo, pulled meat, bacon, and meatballs, and its latest innovation, plant-based gyozas in curry chicken flavor. The company also offers alternatives to salmon and tuna made with pea protein under the plant-based seafood brand Current Foods. Zyrcular Foods states that its participation at Alimentaria demonstrates its commitment to providing a variety of high-quality plant-based options for …

more

Organisations and brands:

Beyond Burger

© Beyond Meat

Beyond Burger Rolls Out at Over 800 Co-op Stores UK-Wide

Beyond Meat has announced that the Beyond Burger is launching at over 800 Co-op convenience stores and supermarkets across the UK. The burger, which has won several awards including Which’s Best Vegan Burger 2023, will be available in the frozen aisle. It contains 19g of protein and is cholesterol-free. A recent life cycle analysis indicates that the Beyond Burger requires 97% less land, 97% less water, and 37% less non-renewable energy than a comparable beef burger, while also generating 90% fewer greenhouse gas emissions. “Just in time for the warmer weather and BBQ season, we’re delighted to be extending our tasty Beyond Burger into Co-op stores across the UK,” said Lee Crane, Regional Sales Manager UK at Beyond Meat. “Local and convenient, the new launch …

more

Organisations and brands:

Revo Foods launches THE KRAKEN plant based octopus

© Revo Foods

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 …

more

Organisations and brands:

A plant-based steak with marbled fat

Image courtesy of Planteneers

The Latest in Plant-Based Steaks and Why They’re So Crucial Right Now

The consumer behaviour of those (vegans and omnivores alike) who purchase plant-based products has evolved significantly from the curiosity-led impulse buys before the 2023 dip — amid an influx of new, sometimes inferior products on the market — to repeat purchases of quality, evolved products which fit into the day-to-day routine and are now tried and tested by families and cooked at home in their favourite ways. Last week, the UK’s biggest supermarket chain Tesco reported that the plant-based revolution is entering a second phase, largely driven by more consumers cooking from scratch. The retailer noted that despite the drop in sales last year, sales of meat-free ingredients and whole cuts are now increasing, with plant-based steaks and chicken breasts witnessing a 20% sales uptick …

more

Beyond Steak launches in Belgium

© Beyond Meat

Beyond Steak Arrives in Belgium, Launching at 250 Delhaize Stores

Beyond Meat has announced that its award-winning Beyond Steak has launched in Belgium for the first time. In a LinkedIn post, the brand revealed that the product is now available at Delhaize, one of the country’s leading supermarket chains. Over 250 Delhaize stores are stocking the plant-based steak. Delhaize has been offering Beyond Meat products since 2019, when it first listed the Beyond Burger. The brand’s Smash Burger, Chicken Burger, and Tenders are also available at the retailer. The launch comes six months after Beyond Steak arrived in the UK, where it received a gold award in the esteemed Casual Dining Innovation Challenge 2023. The judges described the product as a “sustainable gamechanger”, praising its high protein content and low saturated fat levels. “Resonating with …

more

Organisations and brands:

Azuma Foods has launched a new plant-based fish lineup --- Just Like Fish Series.

© Azuma Foods

Azuma Foods Launches Plant-Based Seafood Range “Future Fish” in Japan

Azuma Foods, a Japanese food manufacturer with over 50 years of experience creating innovative Japanese cuisine, has launched a new plant-based seafood lineup, Future Fish, under its brand Green Surf. The new range comprising tuna, salmon, and squid aims to offer alternatives made without animal ingredients to lessen the strain on marine resources caused by fishing while helping consumers reduce their seafood consumption, says the Japanese food manufacturer. The Azuma Foods R&D team crafted the new plant-based fish alternatives using konjac (a starchy root vegetable) flour, salt, locust bean gum (seeds from the carob tree), and trehalose (a type of sugar) to mimic the authentic taste and texture of real fish. The fishless products come refrigerated and sliced. They can be used in multiple recipes, including sashimi, marinated fish …

more

Organisations and brands:

PLNT plant-based lamb strips

© PLNT

PLNT to Showcase New Plant-Based Lamb Strips and Chicken Sausages at Alimentaria

PLNT, a plant-based meat brand owned by Dutch protein producer Jan Zandbergen, has developed two new products — plant-based lamb strips and chicken-style sausages. The lamb strips are made from pea, wheat, and soy protein, and are said to be ideal in an Indian curry or as a topping on naan bread. They can be prepared in three to four minutes, and feature an open structure to capture seasonings and sauces. The sausages are made with rice and soy protein, replicating the texture and flavour of traditional chicken sausages. They are said to be especially suitable for the food service industry. Both products will be presented at Alimentaria, a food industry trade show taking place in Barcelona from March 18-24. Targeting meat-eaters Jan Zandbergen began …

more

Organisations and brands:

load more