Millennial Flavor Town debuts waygu beef steak in Europe at London Expo.

© Millennial Flavor Town

Products & Launches

Wagyu Beef Steak ‘Masterpiece’ by Korea’s Millennial Flavor Town Premieres at PBWE Europe

Korea’s Millennial Flavor Town, a food startup aiming to redefine barbeque with fermentation and plants, is introducing its wagyu beef line — MM Beef — at the Plant Based World Expo Europe in London. The range includes two products: marbled wagyu beef steak and shredded beef, in soy sauce and truffle flavors, which have been featured in media outlets, including The New York Times. Described as “a masterpiece boasting a rich heritage and a fusion of flavors that redefine the essence of beef,” the products have been crafted by co-founder, food technologist, and chef Bakrin Ahn and her team. Traditional Korean fermentation Millennial Flavor Town uses a patented method based on traditional Korean fermentation and a blend of ingredients: soybeans, hedgehog and button mushrooms, rice koji, …

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Juicy Marbles

© Juicy Marbles

Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Plant-Based Steaks by Juicy Marbles Launch at 553 Sainsbury’s Locations UK-Wide

Plant-based whole-cut pioneer Juicy Marbles has secured a long-term supply deal with UK supermarket chain Sainsbury’s. The deal will see the brand’s plant-based steaks roll out at 553 Sainsbury’s locations UK-wide. The steaks come in a pack of two and will initially be on promotion at £7, underpricing comparable beef steaks. They have received the highest possible Nutriscore of A, as they are a good source of protein, fibre, and micronutrients while being low in saturated fat. Sold raw and unseasoned, the steaks are said to have a versatile whole-muscle texture, meaning they can easily be used in traditionally meat-based recipes. This is Juicy Marbles’ fourth major UK supermarket deal — its products are already available at Tesco, Waitrose, and Whole Foods. The Sainsbury’s launch …

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Planted steak launches in retail

© Planted Foods AG

Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Planted Presents Plant-Based Whole Muscle Steak at SIAL Paris, Announces Listings in French Retail and Food Service

Swiss food tech company Planted has announced that it will be exhibiting at this year’s SIAL Paris. With ‘planted.steak’, Planted has developed a plant-based steak that is already available for consumers in many European restaurants. Following its successful launch in food service, it is now also available in retail outlets in Switzerland at Coop and in Germany at REWE. The steak will be presented to the international trade public at this year’s SIAL Paris in October. Planted’s vegan steak launches in France “We are very proud to showcase our latest innovation the planted.steak at SIAL this year, which has launched across food service as well as retail in Europe such as at Coop, Edeka and REWE. It will also be making its debut in French …

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ProVeg - the role of whole cut plant-based meat products

© ProVeg

Meat- and Fish Alternatives

The Role of Whole-Cut Plant-Based Meat Products

It’s out with the old, and in with the new – the plant-based meat industry is undergoing a new surge in innovation. While the industry has experienced a shake-out and consolidation in brands and products in recent years, it’s also seen food-tech milestones achieved. As a result, tastier, meatier, and more in-demand products are now taking centre stage and attracting new consumers to the category. In its latest New Food Hub interview, ProVeg International sat down with Edwin Bark, Senior Vice-President of Redefine Meat. Following the Flank Steak product launch, Edwin shared thoughts on attracting meat-eaters, industry challenges, and the future of plant-based meat. “As good as the animal version” Consumer research shows that the sensory experience of plant-based meat products is vital to their …

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Adamo Foods steak

© Adamo Foods

Fungi, Mushrooms & Mycelium

Adamo Foods Secures $2.5M to Scale Clean-Label Mycelium Steak

Adamo Foods, a UK startup making beef steak alternatives from fungi, has raised $2.5 million in a seed funding round co-led by UK Innovation Science and Seed Fund (UKI2S) and Joyful Ventures. Adamo will use the funding to increase the production of its clean-label mycelium steak to pilot scale and expand its team by hiring senior food industry experts. The company also plans to develop more products, such as a chicken breast alternative. Milo Runkle, co-founder and General Partner at Joyful Ventures, will join Adamo’s board following the raise. With the mycelium steak, which is claimed to be the first ultra-realistic beef steak alternative made from fungi, Adamo plans to disrupt the whole-cut meat alternatives market. While most conventional meat products consumed worldwide are whole …

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Redefine Meat flank steak

© Redefine Meat

Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Redefine Meat’s Hyped New-Meat Flank Steak Arrives in European Retail, Rolling Out at Leading Supermarket Chains

Redefine Meat, the creator of premium plant-based “new-meat”, has announced the launch of its much-hyped Redefine Flank Steak in European retail. The company has formed partnerships with several market-leading retailers, and the Flank Steak will initially roll out at Coop Switzerland and online supermarket Ocado in the UK. Soon afterwards, the product will launch at Jumbo, Albert Heijn, and Crisp in the Netherlands, before eventually arriving at German and Italian retailers. The retail launch follows the success of the Flank Steak in European food service. After launching in more than nine countries, the product has been endorsed by high-end chefs and has reportedly seen a hugely positive reception from meat-lovers and vegans alike. In October, Redefine Meat told vegconomist that its new-meat had become a …

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Planted steak launches in retail

© Planted Foods AG

Retail & E-Commerce

Planted’s Fermented Steak Arrives in Swiss & German Retail

Following the successful launch of its fermented steak in the catering trade in March, Swiss food tech pioneer Planted is now also launching its fermented steak in the retail sector in Switzerland at Coop and in Germany at REWE. The planted.steak is made exclusively from natural ingredients and, according to the company, has an unmistakable umami flavour. According to Planted, the use of fermentation technology also enables it to process other plant-based protein sources and improve the wholesomeness and flavour experience of its products. This overcomes the previous limitations of using alternative proteins. The steak is made exclusively from natural ingredients such as soy protein, rapeseed oil, bean and rice flour and a special mixture of microbial cultures. It has a high protein and fibre …

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Insa Mohr, CEO of Mooji Meats

Insa Mohr, courtesy of Mooji Meats

Interviews

Mooji Meats: “As Ribeyes Are Arguably the Most Popular Yet Intricate Meats, We Chose Them as Our Flagship Product”

Mooji Meats, a Harvard spinoff that has developed a premium plant-based ribeye steak with the aim of bringing meat alternatives to fine dining, was founded in 2022 and quickly saw success after participating in the Y Combinator accelerator program. Previously utilizing a 3d printing methodology, the startup has now developed a more natural process whereby its proprietary platform replicates 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. We spoke with CEO and founder Insa Mohr, who explains that European consumers are more open than Americans to trying plant-based meats, and that, in many ways, Mooji “is bridging the …

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Handtmann Steak 2.0

© Handtmann

Interviews

Handtmann: “Interest in the Steak Was Overwhelming. We Hadn’t Expected Such Strong Demand”

Handtmann Maschinenfabrik GbH specialises in innovative filling and portioning systems. These technologies are widely used in the food industry, including in the production of plant-based sausage and meat products and other alternative products. Handtmann focuses on innovation in order to realise new product ideas as well as classic recipes with state-of-the-art technology. At Anuga FoodTec in Cologne, Handtmann presented its new moulding system, a new option for the production of formed and filled products. The moulding system offers flexibility both for free forming and for forming and separating vegetarian and vegan alternative products, among others. With the “Steak 2.0”, Handtmann also presented its latest product innovation in the area of plant-based meat alternatives at the trade fair. In his role as industry manager for alternative …

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Mooji Meats premium plant-based ribeye steak

© Mooji Meats

Company News

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 …

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A plant-based steak with marbled fat

Image courtesy of Planteneers

Meat- and Fish Alternatives

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 …

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juicy_marbles_basting_closeup

© Juicy Marbles

Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Juicy Marbles Partners With Grocery Delivery Services in the UK & Czech Republic

Plant-based whole-cut producer Juicy Marbles has partnered with rapid grocery delivery service GoPuff, allowing UK consumers to have a two-pack of plant-based steaks delivered to their doors in as little as 30 minutes. The news comes a year after Juicy Marbles’ first major UK supply deal with supermarket chain Waitrose in a trial intended to last just two weeks. When 86% of the stock sold out within four days, the deal became long-term. Juicy Marbles’ steaks have since seen successful launches at Tesco where they retail at a lower price than comparable animal-based steaks, as well as at Whole Foods UK. Sales have reportedly been strong to date. “We love that Gopuff provides home chefs with a fast, convenient way to get their groceries when …

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Valentine's steak recipe

© Grubby/Redefine Meat

Company News

Grubby Partners With Redefine Meat for Premium Valentine’s Steak Recipe Kit

UK recipe kit startup Grubby has joined forces with plant-based meat company Redefine Meat to offer an exclusive Valentine’s Steak recipe. Available until March 22 as a premium option for Valentine’s Day, the dish marks the first time Redefine Meat’s plant-based beef flank has been available to home cooks in the UK. Previously, the product has only been available at top restaurants in the country. Grubby will also launch a Chimichurri steak dish made with the beef flank across March and April. Launched in 2020, Grubby claims to be the UK’s first fully plant-based recipe kit brand. The company has revenues of over £4 million, with customer spend trebling in the last year. In October, Grubby announced its first retail launch at Tesco, with three …

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Steakholder Foods and Wyler Farms, Israel's leading tofu producer, have partnered to produce 3D printed plant-based beef steaks.

© Steakholder Foods

Printed Technology

Steakholder Foods and Wyler Farms Partner to Launch 3D Printed Plant-Based Beef Steaks at Industrial Scale

Israeli bioprinting technology expert Steakholder Foods (Nasdaq: STKH) and Wyler Farms, Israel’s leading tofu producer, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to use industrial-scale 3D printing technology to produce 3D printed plant-based beef steaks. As part of the agreement, Wyler Farms will acquire Steakholder Foods’ 3D Fusion Pro meat printer and a subscription to the SH Software and NutriBlend ink designed explicitly for plant-based meat.  The deal, valued at millions of dollars over the coming years, represents Steakholder Foods’ first commercial partnership in the private sector. The completion of the Fusion Pro 3D printer installation is anticipated to fall between Q4 2024 and Q1 2025, according to the announcement. Arik Kaufman, CEO of Steakholder Foods, comments: “We’re not just showcasing our technology’s potential – we’re …

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Juicy Marbles launches at Tesco

© Juicy Marbles

Company News

Juicy Marbles’ Whole Cuts Arrive in Tesco, Retailing at Lower Price Than Animal Steak

Juicy Marbles, creator of luxury plant-based whole cuts including the “world’s first marbled plant-based steak” which caused a stir upon its announcement in 2021, announces the rollout of the famous steak into 350+ Tesco stores. This marks Juicy Marbles’ third major UK supermarket distribution deal following its initial distributor Waitrose and most recent listing at Whole Foods. Juicy Marbles reports that “Tesco has seen a big increase in demand for versatile, high-quality plant-based meat products in recent months, as shoppers look to reduce their meat consumption” and that Tesco’s buyers were “drawn to the versatility and quality” of the product, as well as strong sales to date. Cheaper than the “real” thing The product lands on Tesco shelves at £9 rrp and at a £6.75 …

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Squeaky Bean expands frozen range

© Squeaky Bean

Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Squeaky Bean Launches Frozen Ingredients Range Featuring Chicken & Steak-Style Products

UK alt meat brand Squeaky Bean has launched its first frozen ingredients range, featuring two products — Seasoned Chicken Style Pieces and Steak Style Strips. Seasoned with salt and pepper, the plant-based chicken pieces can be used as a base for dishes such as curries and pasta. The steak-style strips aim to fill a gap in the market for premium frozen steak alternatives, and can be used in meals such as stir-fries and tacos. Both meat alternatives can be cooked from frozen in just three minutes, catering to the growing demand for convenient options that reduce food waste. Made from wheat and pea protein, they are protein-rich and low in saturated fat. According to Squeaky Bean, the frozen products are “just the start of a …

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chunk food slices

© Chunk Foods

Market & Trends

Vegan Steak Market to Be Worth Over $1Bn by 2032, Growing With 6.2% CAGR

According to a report by Polaris Market Research, the global vegan steak market is set to grow with a CAGR of 6.2% through to 2032, reaching a value of about $1.02 billion — up from $562.48 million in 2022. North America will have the largest market share throughout the forecast period, followed by Europe and the Asia Pacific. Growth will be driven by increasing interest in plant-based diets, along with improved technology for producing meat alternatives and the increased availability of vegan steak in restaurants. Health concerns will also be a key driver of the market, with red meat increasingly associated with chronic diseases such as colon cancer and cardiovascular disease. Earlier this year, Beyond Meat’s bestselling plant-based steak became the first meat alternative to …

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Beyond Steak wins innovation award

© Beyond Meat

Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Beyond Steak Arrives in the UK, Wins Gold Innovation Award at Casual Dining 2023

Beyond Meat‘s plant-based steak alternative, Beyond Steak, has made its UK debut at the annual Casual Dining Show. At the event, the product won gold in the esteemed Casual Dining Innovation Challenge 2023. Judges described the plant-based steak pieces as a “sustainable gamechanger”, praising their high protein content and low levels of saturated fat. It comes after the steak alternative became the first plant-based meat to be certified by the American Heart Association in May, following its US launch in October 2022. Beyond Steak was also named one of the best inventions of 2022 by TIME magazine, with the publication praising it as having the “fibrous texture” of steak while being “definitely healthier”. Additionally, the product received a prestigious FABI Award from the US National …

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Chunk Foods vegan French Dip Sandwich

©Willow Vegan Bistro

Gastronomy & Food Service

NYC’s Willow Bistro Debuts Cutting-Edge Dishes with Chunk Foods Steak and Yo Egg

Nestled in the heart of New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood, Willow Vegan Bistro is quietly disrupting bistro fare with its adventurous, thrilling take on contemporary plant-based cuisine. Recently, the eatery debuted new dishes featuring Chunk Foods’ groundbreaking plant-based steak and Yo Egg’s chicken-free eggs.  Elevated bistro dining  Willow describes itself as a “cozy vegan bistro that offers an innovative twist on classic American food” and the menu overflows with vibrant recreations of popular bistro dishes, from sandwiches and burgers to soups and mac ‘n cheese. Highlights include mini lobster rolls made with hearts of palm, chick’n francese, oyster mushroom calamari, and a B.A.L.T. with vegan bacon. But what truly sets Willow apart is its use of the latest alt-protein innovations, including Chunk Foods’ steak and Yo …

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Beyond Steak Seared Tips

©Beyond Meat

Retail & E-Commerce

Beyond Meat Expands Best-Selling Beyond Steak to Thousands of New Retail Locations

Beyond Meat (NASDAQ: BYND) announces it is expanding retail availability for its award-winning Beyond Steak product, which can now be found at 14,000 retail locations across the US.  According to Beyond Meat, its steak ranks as the top-selling new plant-based meat in retail and recently launched at grocery chains such as Whole Foods Market, Publix, Wegmans, Meijer and Stater Bros. Markets. The company also reveals recent data showed that 2 out of 3 households that tried Beyond Steak repurchased the product, which supports other positive feedback the product has received since its US launch last year.  In June, Beyond Steak was named “Best Plant-Based Beef” by PEOPLE Food Awards 2023 for having “the texture, chew and flavor” of real steak. The product also received a FABI …

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