Tofu

Somenoya partners with Villarreal CF

© Somenoya
Fairs & Events

Spanish Football Team Villarreal CF to Begin Serving Tofu to Players in Partnership With Japanese Company Somenoya

Somenoya Co., Ltd., a traditional Japanese tofu company founded in 1862, recently partnered with football team Villarreal CF and the Embassy of Japan in Spain to host a tofu seminar. The event took place at Villarreal CF’s stadium, Estadio de la Cerámica. The team has been promoting dietary diversity, and is considering incorporating tofu as a plant-based protein suitable for vegan and halal diets. However, the team’s Medical Director, Mr. Héctor Usó, had struggled to find a tofu in Europe whose taste satisfied him until he tried Somenoya’s authentic Japanese product. After discovering the tofu, he agreed to the hosting of the event, which began with an explanation of what tofu is and the differences between Japanese and European tofu. Chef Kenichi Yanome, owner of …

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The Tofoo Co.

© The Tofoo Co.
Products & Launches

Tofoo Co. Launches Thai Burger and Southern Fried Pieces in Retail Expansion

The Tofoo Co., a leading player in the UK’s plant-based market, has launched two new products just in time for the summer: the Thai Burger and Southern Fried Pieces. These new offerings mark the brand’s continued expansion into the plant-based convenience sector, responding to shifting consumer preferences and growing demand for accessible, ready-to-eat products. The Thai Burger, now available in Waitrose stores, blends spiced tofu with vegetables, creating a plant-based alternative to traditional meat burgers. It joins Tofoo’s Tex Mex burger in the brand’s summer range, catering to the growing number of people seeking plant-based barbecue options. Meanwhile, the Southern Fried Pieces, available in Tesco, offer two tofu pieces coated in a southern-fried crispy crumb. These join Tofoo’s expanding range of crispy tofu products, which …

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Pulmuone limited edition packaging

© Pulmuone

Company News

Pulmuone Launches Limited-Edition Earth Month Packaging for Tofu and Kimchi Products

Pulmuone, a major producer of tofu and plant-based foods in the United States, has rolled out limited-edition packaging for several of its product lines during April in recognition of Earth Month. The temporary designs are being used on products sold under the Nasoya, Pulmuone, and Wildwood brands and include tofu and kimchi items available nationwide. “Sustainability is a core value, from our responsibly sourced ingredients to our efforts to make plant-based eating more accessible. With this year’s Earth Month campaign, we hope to inspire more consumers to consider the environmental benefits of plant-based foods,” said Ellen Kim, director of marketing communications & consumer insights at Pulmuone. Pulmuone Foods USA, a subsidiary of Pulmuone in South Korea, produces a wide array of tofu and Asian-style products …

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Matthias Krön © The New Originals Company
Interviews

New Originals Company: “We Recognized Early on That Tofu Will Be a Key Pillar of Our Future Diet”

The New Originals Company, headquartered in Vienna, was founded in February 2024 by the Lunter family – tofu pioneers since 1991 – NLT Management Holding and Raiffeisenbank Landesbank Oberösterreich, an experienced investor in the food industry, and already employs over 600 people in six European countries. The New Originals Company focuses on the development of innovative tofu products that meet modern nutritional requirements. With already five brands, all of which stand for innovative, high-quality tofu products and plant-based foods, the company aims to expand further in the rapidly growing European market for natural plant-based foods. Regional roots and comprehensive traceability of raw materials along the entire supply chain remain an important part of the mission. Matthias Krön, CEO of the New Originals Company, gives us …

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The New Originals Company

M. Krön and M. Robin © The New Originals
Investments & Acquisitions

The New Originals Company Expands Tofu Portfolio with SoFine Acquisition

The New Originals Company is further expanding its expertise in the tofu convenience category with the acquisition of SoFine. With the acquisition of the established SoFine brand and the production facility in Landgraaf, the Netherlands, the New Originals Company aims to strengthen its innovative capabilities and expand its expertise with an extended product portfolio. Matthias Krön, CEO of The New Originals Company, stated, “We are very pleased to be sustainably expanding our expertise with the new site and almost one hundred highly qualified employees. With SoFine, we are expanding our portfolio with important innovations such as sliced tofu, diced tofu, minced tofu and tofu in water packs, and can thus contribute to the further development of the entire category. “The plant in Landgraaf complements our …

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Hodo tofu

© Hodo
Retail & E-Commerce

Tofu Brand Hodo Announces Retail Expansion Into Meijer, Harris Teeter, and Giant Martin’s

US tofu brand Hodo has announced an expansion into leading grocery retailers Meijer, Harris Teeter, and Giant Martin’s, as consumer demand for minimally processed plant-based proteins continues to rise. Hodo’s tofu is made with non-GMO soybeans and is rich in protein and calcium. The brand offers more than 20 retail products, including entrees, dips, flavored tofu blocks, tofu scramble, tofu veggie burgers, and nuggets. Hodo also recently introduced Saucy Tofu Kits, aimed at busy families and those who are new to tofu. The products available as part of the retail expansion are: Meijer: Extra Firm Tofu (Hodo’s top-selling item), Organic Miso Tofu, Organic Indian Spiced Tofu, and Thai Curry Nuggets. Giant Martin’s: Organic Miso Tofu, Thai Curry Nuggets, and Vegan All-Day Egg Scramble. Harris Teeter: …

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Cauldron Foods claims to have developed the quickest cooking tofu ever

© Cauldron Foods
Products & Launches

Cauldron Foods Launches “Quickest Cooking Tofu Ever”

UK plant-based company Cauldron Foods has announced the launch of what it claims is the “quickest cooking tofu ever”. The tofu pieces can be prepared within five minutes and do not require pressing. The product aims to provide a convenient option that makes it simpler to eat sustainably, including for consumers with minimal cooking expertise. According to Cauldron Foods, the tofu pieces are ideal in curries and stir-fries, or served with flatbreads and salads. “Convenient and delicious” Last year, Cauldron Foods announced a full rebrand with colourful new packaging. The company also launched a range of new products, including an extra firm tofu block and two vegetable bakes designed as centre-plate options. “Shoppers are busier than ever, looking for convenient and delicious meals that don’t …

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VFG sells Tofutown facility

©VFG / TOFUTOWN
Company News

VFG Sells German TOFUTOWN Facility to The New Originals Company

The Vegan Food Group (VFG), formed this January from the previous VFC Foods as a holding company comprising VFC, Meatless Farm, and Clives Purely Plants, and with plans to carry out further acquisitions such as that of TOFUTOWN in February, announces it is selling its manufacturing plant in Wiesbaum to The New Originals Company. Described on its website as the “first truly European tofu company” and positioning itself as a “Europe-wide leader in tofu innovations”, The New Originals Company was founded in February 2024 by the Lunter family, of NLT Management Holding and Raiffeisenbank Landesbank Oberösterreich, which apparently employs 600 people across five countries. Matthias Krön, CEO of The New Originals Company, comments: “Bernd Drohsin and Tofutown’s team in Wiesbaum have been pioneers in organic …

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Tofoo Katsu

© The Tofoo Co
Products & Launches

The Tofoo Co Launches Tofoo Katsu Fillets, Achieves 20.7% YOY Growth

UK brand The Tofoo Co has announced the launch of Tofoo Katsu, a new product consisting of two tofu fillets coated in a katsu-style breadcrumb. The launch aims to cater to the growing demand for natural alternatives to meat, while also providing a convenient option for midweek meals. It follows a period of significant expansion for The Tofoo Co, which now holds a 62% share of the tofu category and has experienced 20.7% YOY growth1. This makes it the UK’s second-biggest meat-free brand. The news comes just a month after The Tofoo Co was acquired by German investment management firm Comitis Capital, securing further investment for its next growth phase. “Incredibly strong year” Tofoo Katsu is not the only new product launched by The Tofoo …

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German investment management firm Comitis Capital ("Comitis") has acquired The Tofoo Co., the UK's No. 2 meat-free brand, which commands over 60% of the market share in tofu.

© The Tofoo Co.
Investments & Acquisitions

The Tofoo Co., the UK’s No. 2 Meat-Free Brand, is Acquired by Comitis Capital

German investment management firm Comitis Capital (“Comitis”) has acquired The Tofoo Co., the UK’s No. 2 meat-free brand, which commands over 60% of the tofu market share. Comitis Capital, which sees The Tofoo Co. ready for its next growth phase, aims to leverage its investment, expertise, and network to expand the brand. Founders David Knibbs and Lydia Smith will remain invested and continue to oversee the company’s growth in the UK and international markets. Nikolaus Bethlen, Managing Partner at Comitis, shares: “The Tofoo Co has firmly established itself as a leader in the plant-based meat alternatives market with a strong brand image offering high-quality products. David Knibbs and Lydia Smith have built a remarkable enterprise that is ready for the next phase of growth. The Tofoo …

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Pulmuone to showcase products at SIAL Paris

© Pulmuone
Fairs & Events

Pulmuone to Showcase Plant-Based & K-Food Innovations at SIAL Paris 2024

Major Korean tofu manufacturer Pulmuone has announced it will be present at the food industry trade show SIAL Paris from October 19-23. Pulmuone will showcase a range of plant-based and K-food innovations at the event, which will take place at the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition centre. The company is known for offering various plant-based protein foods containing meat alternatives and tofu, along with traditional Korean street foods in the noodle and rice cake categories. 40-year history Pulmuone was founded in 1984, and entered the US market in 1991 with the establishment of a new subsidiary in the country. The company subsequently expanded into China, Japan, and Vietnam. In 2020, Pulmuone launched a new plant-based brand called Plantspired for the global market, featuring a range of …

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A worker at a tofu production line

© Yamami Co.
Manufacturing & Technology

Yamami Co. is Revolutionizing Traditional Tofu Making with Automation Technologies

Yamami Co., a Japanese soybean specialist, has set new industry benchmarks with its capability to produce 15,000 units of tofu per hour, reports Bloomberg. Yamami manufactures all kinds of tofu, including deep-fried, baked, silk, and okara (a bean curd).  Tofu, an everyday food staple in Japanese gastronomy, is appreciated for its accessible prices. It is so popular that it frequently is on promotional sales at grocery stores. This trend makes it challenging for manufacturers to increase prices, even as there’s a general trend of rising costs in the food sector.  Due to the rising costs of imported soybeans, artisan tofu producers in the country are struggling to stay in business. As highlighted by Bloomberg, the Teikoku Databank reports that around 40% of tofu makers were operating …

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The Tofoo Co marinated range

© The Tofoo Co
Products & Launches

The Tofoo Co Aims to “Make Tofu Mainstream” With New Marinated Range

Top-selling UK tofu brand The Tofoo Co is set to launch a new marinated range with the aim of showing that tofu is “not just for vegans”. The range consists of two products — Smoky BBQ Strips with a barbecue-flavoured marinade and Lightly Spiced Pieces with onion, garlic, paprika, pepper, and parsley. The Tofoo Co hopes the products will attract consumers who have not tried tofu before, helping to “make tofu mainstream”. The marinated tofu is high in protein and can be pan-fried in eight minutes. It adds to The Tofoo Co’s existing product range, which includes scrambled tofu, silken tofu, tempeh, and tofu blocks in flavours such as teriyaki and sriracha. “Perfect for tofu-phobics” With many consumers searching for less processed meat alternatives, The …

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The Tofoo Co tofu chunks bowl on purple

© The Tofoo Co
Food Service

The Tofoo Co Brings Tofu to Slug & Lettuce Menus Across the UK

Slug & Lettuce Cocktail Bars (Stonegate Group), operating around 80 locations, announces the launch of two plant-based dishes to its menu, in collaboration with The Tofoo Co., the UK’s leading tofu brand. The new menu additions are Crispy Teriyaki Tofu sharing plate, and a main dish called the Crunchy Noodle Salad, featuring summer vegetables, rice noodles, and crispy smoked tofu. The dishes have been created in response to the 65% of UK customers who report that they are more likely to try a meat-free menu item if it does not replicate the taste of animal meat*. Launched by husband-and-wife team Lydia and David in 2015, The Tofoo Co. has since built a substantial UK grocery business, going on to supply all the major grocery retailers …

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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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Chef cooking/ preparing tofu

©Pulmuone USA
Gastronomy & Food Service

Pulmuone and Culinary Institute of America Award $10,000 for Tofu Innovation Challenge

Pulmuone USA, maker of Nasoya tofu products, reveals it has awarded $10,000 in scholarships to three student winners of The Tofu Innovation Challenge, which it created in partnership with CIA Consulting, a division of The Culinary Institute of America (CIA). Hosted at CIA’s New York campus, the contest was designed to showcase the versatility of tofu and plant-based dishes, and offered CIA students an opportunity to win scholarship funding toward their tuition.  Pulmuone says eight students out of 60 applicants were selected for the challenge, who subsequently spent two months experimenting with tofu and other plant-based ingredients while perfecting recipes. The panel of judges included CIA Chef Instructor Aaron Foglietta and Nasoya representatives, who evaluated the final dishes based on creativity, presentation, taste and accessibility …

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Tofurky Acquisition

©Tofurky
Investments & Acquisitions

Tofurky and Sister Brand Moocho Acquired by Morinaga Nutritional Foods

Plant-based meat producer Tofurky announces US-based Morinaga Nutritional Foods has acquired the company and its sister brand, Moocho. With the purchase of Tofurky, Morinaga will reportedly now own the #3 retail plant-based meat brand in the US.  According to Tofurky, Morinaga – which manufactures Mori-Nu Silken Tofu- has a longstanding relationship as the former’s tofu supplier for 17 years. The acquisition will help strengthen Tofurky and Moocho’s integrated supply chain and future category growth for both brands.  Tofurky states it will continue manufacturing products at its sustainably-focused facility in Hood River, Oregon, while Morinaga plans to increase the facility’s “operational excellence” by providing technical staff to maximize capacity. Morinaga will also uphold the core values, original recipes, and product availability of both Tofurky and Moocho …

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Country Life Seasoning

©Country Life Foods
Products & Launches

Country Life Foods Unveils New Scrambled Tofu Seasonings and Instant Cheeze Mix for Convenient Cooking

Country Life Natural Foods, a natural and organic online retailer, has introduced several new products to make plant-based cooking simpler and more convenient.  Tastier tofu Country Life’s new Tofu Scramble Seasoning Pack features Classic, Lemon Herb, and Smoked BBQ Seasonings designed to help people prepare the classic protein because, as the brand says, “a lot of people don’t know how to season tofu.” To make, home cooks need only to crumble a block of tofu into a pan and add the seasoning of choice.  The seasoning mixes can be used to make a wide variety of tofu scrambles as well as provide flavoring for rice and vegetables.  “One of the healthiest egg or meat substitutes is tofu, but only when seasoned to perfection,” says Country …

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vegan basil and sundried tomato pesto

© Filippo Berio
Products & Launches

Fillipo Berio’s Tofu-Based Vegan Pestos Arrive in the USA

Filippo Berio, a 155-year-old Italian producer of olive oil and pesto, introduces two vegan pestos to the US market, following a successful UK launch which took place this July. The pestos, which are both plant-based and gluten-free, debut in Basil and Sundried Tomato flavors and feature tofu as a cheese replacement. Additionally, the products are certified by The Vegan Society, allowing for greater consumer confidence. The brand’s product portfolio is available in over 75 countries. In the United States, Filippo Berio is marketed by Filippo Berio USA, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Salov Group, based in Lucca, Italy.   Vegan pestos in USA Filippo Berio states that the expansion into the vegan market takes place in response to consumer demand. “Filippo Berio recognized this …

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The Tofoo Co nuggets

©The Tofoo Co
Products & Launches

The Tofoo Co Continues Product Innovation With Garlic & Herb and Sweet Chilli Nuggets

The Tofoo Co, the UK’s number one tofu brand, is to launch Garlic & Herb and Sweet Chilli Tofoo Nugget products into Tesco this month. In response to the increased demand for convenient plant protein products, the launch is a repositioning of previous product Tofoo Bites, which have taken a new shape, recipe, and packaging design, to become Tofoo nuggets. Varied portfolio The Tofoo Co also launched a block in sriracha flavour as a recent addition to its portfolio which offers flavoured tofu blocks, scrambled egg style Scrambled Tofoo, straight-to-wok frozen cubes in a range of flavours, fish finger style chunkies in a range of flavours, as well as tempeh products. Exponential success The UK producer has enjoyed continuous success over recent years, evidently owing …

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