Selfridges to stock plant-based Sgaia’s meat alternatives

The brand aims to bridge the gap between plant-based meat alternatives and fresh speciality products that taste authentic. To achieve this, Sgaia has employed traditional recipes in the production of the range and a focus on the texture of the products.

Included in the range are Italian Style Vegan Burgers, Original Flavour Vegan Steak, Smoky Flavour Vegan Bacon Rashers, Vegan Pepperoni-Style Slices and Vegan Pastrami-Style Slices.

Growing demand​

In a statement about the launch, Sgaia said: “It ​[the range] will meet the growing demand from consumers for vegan butchers, demonstrating that you don’t need to eat meat to enjoy meaty dishes.​

Indeed, Asda is trialling a fully vegan butchers counter at its Watford store – indicating that this is very much a plant-based trend for 2021.”​

Sgaia’s launch at Selfridges is aligned with Project Earth​​, the retailer’s sustainability initiative to grow its range of plant based options and provide a 100% organic meat offer across its Foodhalls and restaurants by 2025.

Food Manufacture ​held its virtual conference The Future of Plant-based Proteins: Roots of Further Growth​ on 31 March. Speakers and panellists included James Fisher, lead product developer, convenience meals, Marks & Spencer; Felippe Castillo, director of marketing and innovation at Tyson Foods and Karl Williams, group technical director, Meatless Farm.

Kerry Radicle, Roquette and Loma Linda Tuno sponsored the event, which is available on demand at £125+VAT per ticket​​. Supporters were Cargill, Firmenich, Ingredion, Mane and Symrise.

Pea protein ​

Established in 2015, Sgaia hand makes it meat alternatives at its site in Glasgow from a mix of wheat and either pea or soya protein. 

The manufacturer’s products are available through its website and other online retailers such as Planet Organic, the Vegan Kind Supermarket and Greenbay Supermarket. It also supplies its products to UK WholeFoods stores and has been exporting its Mheat range to New Zealand since 2017.

Meanwhile, as vegan products continue to surge in popularity, we round-up some of the latest developments in the sector​​ – including new product development, healthy eating pledges and a push to support climate change initiatives.