New York's Blackbird Foods announces the launch of a new plant-based pizza topped with Beyond Meat's plant-based pepperoni and vegan cheese.

Image courtesy of Blackbird Foods

Products & Launches

Blackbird Foods Launches “Meatier” Plant-Based Pepperoni Pizza with Beyond Meat

New York’s Blackbird Foods announces the launch of a new plant-based pizza topped with Beyond Meat’s plant-based pepperoni and vegan cheese.  The brand’s Pepperoni Pizza, debuting in a new magenta packaging, is already available in the frozen aisle at The Fresh Market, Central Market, Earthfare, nationwide, and at select regions of Whole Foods across the USA. Blackbird Foods, which manufactures most of its own pizza toppings, launched a pepperoni pizza in 2022. However, the brand decided to “refresh” its recipe to satisfy pepperoni pizza enthusiasts. The company argues that Beyond Pepperoni is “meatier,” offering a “delectable” taste and crispy edges. “Pepperoni is one of the most popular pizza toppings, and we’re proud to provide Blackbird with a delicious, plant-based version that delivers the taste and …

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Plant-based Pepperoni - Investing in alt proteins reduces methane emissions and creates jobs.

© Before the Butcher

Products & Launches

Before the Butcher Launches Award-Winning Plant-Based Pepperoni into Food Service

US brand Before the Butcher announces it is launching new Plant-Based Pepperoni for restaurant and food service vendors. Made from pea protein, the pepperoni recently won a 2023 National Restaurant Association Food & Beverage Award (FABI.) According to Before the Butcher, the new Pepperoni uses a proprietary pea protein along with natural ingredients like radish extract, paprika and other spices to recreate the textures and flavors of pork-based pepperoni.  The company states it is offering the Pepperoni to retailers who are looking to expand their plant-based private label offerings. The Pepperoni joins the brand’s existing line of burgers, breakfast sausage, chicken patties, and grounds.  Retail expansion Based in San Diego, California, Before the Butcher was acquired by private investors in 2019. At the time, the …

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Beyond Meat Pepperoni and Chicken Fillets

©Beyond Meat

Products & Launches

Beyond Meat Launches Beyond Pepperoni and New Chicken Fillets Into US Food Service

Beyond Meat announces the launch of Beyond Pepperoni and all-new Beyond Chicken Fillets into North American food service, with the new products said to be indistinguishable in taste from animal-based meat.  According to Beyond, more people than ever are seeking plant-based pepperoni at their favorite restaurants, with 53% of polled consumers agreeing they would increase visits to a restaurant if plant-based pepperoni were available. Beyond previously debuted plant-based pepperoni at US Pizza Hut locations in 2021 – this rollout marks the first time the product is available to foodservice operators across the country.  Better chicken Beyond Chicken Fillets were created to help meet the growing demand for plant-based chicken in restaurants, which the company says has increased +1,098% from one year ago. Beyond states that …

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Prime Roots Plant-Based Deli Meat

©Prime Roots

Fungi, Mushrooms & Mycelium

Prime Roots Launches First Sliceable Koji Meats to Disrupt $300B Bulk Deli Industry

Fungi innovator Prime Roots announces its breakthrough line of Koji-Meats is now available at select deli counters and sandwich shops in the San Francisco Bay Area. Offered in bulk sizes for fresh slicing, the launch is a preview ahead of a larger US retail and restaurant expansion in 2023.  Prime Roots’ preview launch features classic deli staples and charcuterie, including:  Whole Koji-Turkey in Classic Smoked, Cracked Black Pepper, and Golden Roast  Whole Koji-Hams in Classic Smoked, Black Forest, and Sugar Shack Maple  Koji-Pepperoni  Koji-Salami  Koji-Pâtés with apple & sage or black truffle  Koji-Foie Gras Torchon In the Bay Area, local diners can find the products at the following restaurants and markets: Berkeley Bowl Bi-Rite Market Rhea’s Deli Timeless Coffee Millennium and Above Ground Pizza Driver’s …

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Plantcraft Bologna

©Plantcraft

Food & Beverage

Plantcraft Launches New Plant-Based Deli Line Featuring Bologna and Pepperoni

Plant-based deli brand Plantcraft announces it is launching its first line of clean-label meat slices for grocery and foodservice.  The line’s debut flavors, Bologna and Pepperoni, offer allergy-friendly, non-GMO slices created with whole plant ingredients such as pea protein, green banana flour, flaxseeds and faba protein. The products include: Plantcraft Plant-Based Bologna Slices – An upgraded childhood favorite made with pea protein, flaxseed flour and spices.   Plantcraft Plant-Based Pepperoni Slices -A sliced version of the seasoned pepperoni launched last spring, for pizzas, charcuterie platters, sandwiches, and more.  The company also notes its products are gluten-free and made with no artificial additives. The Plant-Based Slices will make their official debut at the upcoming Plant Based World Expo, taking place September 8th- 9th in New York City. …

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vegan deli slices made by following the traditional European cuisine

© UNLIMEAT

Meat- and Fish Alternatives

UNLIMEAT Develops Plant-Based Pepperoni and Mortadella With Famous Charcuterie Institute

Korean plant-based meat brand UNLIMEAT has collaborated with Germany’s Bayerische Fleischerschule Landshut, a world-renowned charcuterie institute, to create plant-based deli products according to traditional European cuisine. The products developed so far are plant-based pepperoni and mortadella. In November 2021, UNLIMEAT’s parent company Zikooin secured $23 million to construct one of the largest plant-based meat factories in Asia. Since then it has focused on expansion in the US, initially launching in the US market in January with a Times Square billboard, introducing its plant-based meats into food service through LA restaurant Jeong Yuk Jeom this June, then expanding into Amazon and GTFO It’s Vegan. While the company’s current portfolio features a specialty line of Asian-focused products including Korean BBQ, Pulled Pork, Jerky, and Beef Mandu, the …

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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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Doner_Spiced_Beef_Style_Squeaky Bean

Spiced beef Doner ©Squeaky Bean

Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Squeaky Bean’s New Product Rollout Includes Vegan Pepperoni, Chorizo, Beef & Chicken Kebabs

UK brand Squeaky Bean, perhaps most known for its hugely popular plant-based pastrami, announces the launch of NEW ready-to-eat Spicy Pepperoni Style Slices to its wide portfolio. The 100% plant-based vegan range, including Chicken Style Pieces, Chargrilled Mini Fillets and Sandwich Slices such as the famous NYC Deli Pastrami, is now available in Tesco, Morrison’s, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Ocado and Asda. Last month, the brand sealed an agreement with Yo! Sushi which saw the addition of its vegan mock duck onto menus with three vegan dishes: Hoisin Duck Roll, Hot Topped Duck Maki and Mighty Duck Fries.​​ Multi product retail rollout The launch of Pepperoni Style Slices this Wednesday 27th April closely follows the launch of Squeaky Bean Doner Spiced Beef Style and Shawarma Chicken Style …

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Worthington Vegan Pepperoni Pizza

VEGAN PEPPERONI w/ Non-Vegan cheese ©WORTHINGTON

Fairs & Events

WORTHINGTON’s New VEGAN PEPPERONI Launching in Food Service After Successful Trade Show Debut

Worthington Foods, a Health Heritage Foods company, is launching the brand’s hotly anticipated WORTHINGTON VEGAN PEPPERONI on April 29 via foodservice distributor DOT Foods. Made to offer an authentic pepperoni taste and texture, the product drew ecstatic praise from pizza industry insiders at the recent International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas.  VEGAN PEPPERONI offers a healthier plant-based version of classic pepperoni, which consistently ranks as America’s most popular pizza topping. Containing 5 grams of fat, 2 net carbs and 53% less sodium than conventional pepperoni, the brand says the product offers all the crave-able flavors of pepperoni without the guilt.  VEGAN PEPPERONI was recently sampled in front of thousands of pizza industry professionals and buyers at the International Pizza Expo, the world’s largest pizza industry …

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Plantcraft Pepperoni Slices

©Plantcraft

Food & Beverage

Plantcraft Unveils New, Cleaner-Label Plant-Based Pepperoni

Plantcraft, a plant-based deli meat company, announces the launch of Plant-Based Pepperoni in Spicy and Mild varieties. Made with allergy-friendly green banana flour, the Pepperoni is the first product release from Plantcraft’s upcoming line of deli slices.  The brand says its Plant-Based Pepperoni will provide the same taste as traditional pepperoni with eight grams of protein per serving, five grams of fiber and no nuts, grains, soy, or eggs. The pepperoni also offers a clean label that is free from artificial additives and preservatives, with ingredients such as pea protein, green banana flour, faba protein, sunflower seed oil, salt and spices.  The Plant-Based Pepperoni is now available at Earth Fare Markets, a Southeast US-based chain with 20+ locations, followed by additional retailers. Each seven-ounce package will …

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Tofurky Pizza Pockets

©Tofurky

Products & Launches

Tofurky and Moocho Debut New Pepperoni and Cheese Innovations

Plant-based meat producer Tofurky and sister brand Moocho unveiled all-new pepperoni and cheese products at the Winter Fancy Food Show this week.  Both brands are expanding their portfolios to feature more plant-based comfort foods, which include improved pepperoni slices and a collection of cream cheese and cheese shreds. All of the products are non-GMO, vegan and free from cholesterol, soy and gluten, according to a release.  The brands provided additional details on the latest products:  Tofurky Pepperoni – Offers complex meaty flavors blended with garlic, mustard and crushed red pepper. Can be enjoyed hot or cold and has ability to brown or char at high heat. Moocho Cream Cheese – Features a rich, tangy flavor and spreadable texture created from the same culturing techniques used …

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Domino's Vegan Pepperoni Pizza

©Domino's Pizza

Products & Launches

Domino’s Vegan Pepperoni Pizza Added Across UK for Veganuary 

Domino’s vegan pepperoni pizza to be available nationwide at 1,200 UK outlets  Domino’s Pizza has added a new plant-based pepperoni offering for Veganuary 2022. The Domino’s Vegan PepperoNAY pizza is made with a vegan pepperoni made by The Vegetarian Butcher and is available at UK stores and online.  The pizza is 100% suitable for vegans, made with a plant-based cheese developed in-house by Domino’s and served with the chain’s famed vegan Garlic & Herb dip. The Vegetarian Butcher’s pepperoni offering is said to be both smoky and highly realistic. Unilever-backed Vegetarian Butcher has been rapidly expanding its food service footprint after the success of  its Burger King partnership.  The new Vegan PepperoNAY pizza is just the latest plant-based addition to Domino’s UK  vegan options. In 2020, …

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FR Pepp + Chao Shreds Whole Foods

©Greenleaf Foods

Products & Launches

Field Roast Pepperoni and Chao Cheese Shreds Launch Into Whole Foods Market Across US

Greenleaf Foods, the plant-based arm of Maple Leaf, expands its Field Roast Plant-Based Pepperoni and Chao Creamery Creamy Original Shreds nationally at Whole Foods Market stores in the US, making Whole Foods the first national retailer to carry both products. Greenleaf claims that its vegan pepperoni was the first to be made with pea protein as opposed to soy. Clearly, Greenleaf is increasingly solidifying a supplier relationship with Whole Foods; as we reported earlier this month, the Maple Leaf subsidiary is to exclusively provide Lightlife chicken to all Whole Foods Market prepared foods departments across North America, serving the product in its hot bar, cold salad bar, and grab-and-go offerings. Back in April, Greenleaf launched three Lightlife and Field Roast products into the discount store, …

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Beyond Meat / Pizza Hut

© Beyond Meat / Pizza Hut

Products & Launches

Look Away Vegans! Pizza Hut and Beyond Meat Launch “Plant-Based” Pepperoni Across US

Following the two companies’ recent moves in the UK, Pizza Hut and Beyond Meat have announced a new collaboration, with the debut of the Beyond Pepperoni pizza. A first for both brands, the pizza will be available in nearly 70 locations across the US.  “We know there is strong consumer demand for pepperoni, and we’re thrilled to unveil a game-changing plant-based pepperoni topping” – Beyond Meat However, much like the recent UK launch, the pizza contains dairy cheese and as such is not suitable for vegan customers. Aimed at a health-conscious flexitarian or “reducetarian” demographic, the plant-based pepperoni is made from peas and rice, with no GMOs, soy, gluten, hormones, antibiotics, or cholesterol.  Nevertheless, the vegan community has been questioning why Pizza Hut would only …

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Field Roast

©Field Roast

Products & Launches

Little Caesars Becomes Largest National Chain to Offer Plant-Based Pepperoni in the US With Field Roast Launch

Field Roast has teamed up with US restaurant chain Little Caesars to offer a pizza topped with plant-based pepperoni. The partnership represents Field Roast’s largest national restaurant partnership to date, with a retail launch expected to roll onto shelves in North America later this year. As of today July 12, Little Caesars is launching the Planteroni Pizza, made with Field Roast’s Plant-Based Pepperoni, in hundreds of outlets across the US. Little Caesars becomes the largest pizza chain to offer Field Roast’s Plant-Based Pepperoni in key markets across the country, as the brand claims it is the first pepperoni alternative on the market to be made with pea protein.  Is It Vegan? However, despite the inclusion of Field Roast’s Plant-Based Pepperoni, Little Caesars’ Planteroni Pizza is …

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