Nestlé reported ‘strong’ growth of its plant-based brands when it delivered its full year results. But, CEO Mark Schneider stressed, the opportunity is much bigger than meat-free burgers or bangers.
Kerry Group’s strategic review of its dairy production and consumer food assets will allow it to free up money for acquisitions in faster growing areas, say equity analysts.
The launch of the first vertical farm project in Zürich promises to lay the groundwork for ‘large-scale industrial vertical farming in smart cities’ and ‘showcase the incredible benefits of a circular economy’.
Having closed a $29m Series A, the maker of 3D-printed alt meat is looking to expand its product line and rollout its beef alternatives into Israel, Germany and Switzerland, before moving into Asian and US markets.
‘Clean label’ is an industry term that speaks to consumer demand for recognisable ‘pantry cupboard’ ingredients. But, without a clear definition, the meaning of clean label is evolving. What other mega-trends will shape the future of clean label innovation?
Scientists have discovered that a plant native to America could be grown in the UK and Europe, bringing huge potential benefits for ‘a balanced, sustainable diet’.
Danone is coming under increasing investor pressure to invigorate its brands – an effort that requires innovation and investment. The group’s International CEO, Véronique Penchienati-Bosetta, says that the company’s new ‘Local First’ strategy will deliver...
UK vertical farming company Vertical Future is creating an on-site vertical farm for sausage maker Heck Food in a move that the company says will ‘supercharge’ the health and nutrition of Heck’s vegan range.
The dairy major is partnering with Big Idea Ventures (BIV) to accelerate projects in alternative proteins. BIV currently runs accelerator programmes in New York and Singapore but has revealed plans to launch a Paris edition later this year.
Nestlé has outlined its ‘top priorities’ for Europe, Middle East, and North Africa (EMENA) to reach its net-zero climate goal. And the company is placing an emphasis on three ingredients: cocoa, coffee and milk.
UK biotech start-up CellulaREvolution hopes that a new funding round will help accelerate its vision to ‘revolutionise’ the cultured meat space. The company has developed technology that offers an important unlock for so-called ‘clean’ meat producers:...
Consumer goods giant Unilever set out its stall for future growth last week when the company delivered a ‘strategy refresh’ alongside its full-year results. The outcome? An increased focus on ‘high growth segments’ including functional nutrition and plant-based...
German biotech LegenDairy is bringing together precision fermentation and the heritage of European cheese making to develop ‘stretchable, meltable and delicious’ cheese alternatives.
For plant-based producers to take a larger chunk out of the US$1.3trn meat market they will need to strengthen their appeal to flexitarian consumers. But how can this be achieved?
Israeli start-up Kinoko-Tech is tapping fermentation to produce new alternative protein products from fungal mycelium growing on legumes and grains. “We are not aiming to be meat analogues,” said co-founder and CEO Jasmin Ravid, who wants consumers to...
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, UK artisan chocolate brand Montezuma’s commissioned food anthropologist Caroline Hobkinson to predict food industry trends over the next two decades with a specific focus on chocolate.
First there was Perfect Day in the US, then Remilk in Israel, and now UK start-up Better Dairy is also vying for a piece of the precision fermentation pie. FoodNavigator catches up with CEO and co-founder Jevan Nagarajah to discuss Better Dairy’s plans...
Traditional dairy players are likely to face market disruption as plant-based products continue to improve and new technologies, like the fermentation of dairy proteins, gain traction. How should traditional players respond?
By studying the interactions between plant-based proteins and biomolecules, food biotech POW! Foods is developing a line of vegan meat alternatives. Starting with chorizo, the start-up will be a ‘game-changer in the food industry’, says CEO and co-founder...
Customers expect companies to ‘act with purpose’ beyond the pandemic, according to market research company Euromonitor. How can food and beverage brands respond?
The dairy aisle is in a period of transformation, as an increasing number of animal-free alternatives compete for shelf space. If we were to fast forward a decade, what would it look like then? Tim Geistlinger, Chief Scientific Officer at animal-free...
The largest ever opinion poll on climate change has discovered almost two thirds of people around the world now view the issue as a ‘global emergency’. However, for most, switching to plant-based eating is not their desired answer.
Seventy percent of consumers in Germany, France and the Netherlands support a meat tax that includes environmental costs, if tax revenues are used to reduce VAT on vegetables and fruit, according to survey findings.
The Swedish company, which makes milk from peas, has raised £4.8m from London-based VGC Partners to develop its products and expand in its core markets including the UK, US and Canada.
Spanish start-up Novameat has developed what it claims to be the biggest cell-based meat prototype in the world. FoodNavigator catches up with founder and CEO Giuseppe Scionti to talk R&D, investment, and collaborating with Michelin-starred Disfrutar.
The UK has observed a temporary slowdown in the meat reduction trend, according to Mintel, who says processed meat sales are booming amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
By René Floris, NIZO Food Research Division Manager
Welcome to the first edition of this new column from NIZO. Each month, René Floris, NIZO Food Research Division Manager and member of the FoodNavigator expert advisory panel, will examine some of the key challenges and issues facing the food industry...
The seismic events of 2020 have shaped consumer behaviours and expectations. The COVID-19 pandemic has reached every part of our lives – and the flavours we crave are no exception. Here’s our round-up of the flavour trends we can expect to tickle out...
The newly formed Association of Alternative Food Producers (AAFPP) is preparing to welcome its first cohort of start-ups in the plant-based space. The incubator is an industry first for Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), say its...
Beneo predicts to see significant growth in the market for chicory root, sugar beet, wheat and rice starches as consumers in 2021 demand cleaner but also natural easily recognisable ‘cupboard ingredients’.
The company has identified ‘huge opportunities’ in side-stream valorization as it looks to make use of its expertise in extrusion technology to produce the ‘next generation’ of healthier and more sustainable meat substitutes.
Challenger brand Oatly and Flora margarine-owner Upfield are among the brands hoping to overturn a ban on dairy-like terminology for plant-based alternatives. The European Dairy Association, however, tells FoodNavigator that challenging Amendment 171...
The European Food Safety Authority has published its first scientific opinion on an insect-derived food. The conclusion? Mealworms are safe for human consumption.
The Spanish National Center for Food Technology and Safety (CNTA) has issued a report looking at the trends that shaped R&D in 2020 and how it expects these to define the sector in 2021.
Industrialized animal slaughter is something the meat & poultry industry has perfected over the years. Most consumers, however, are blissfully unaware that the egg industry also slaughters billions of animals every year, but not to put meat on the...
Vegan nuggets, vegan nachos, vegan Magnums, vegan mayonnaise, vegan cream cakes, vegan Bounty bars and vegan Krispy Kremes... more food brands and retailers than ever hanker for a slice of the plant-based pie.
Barley proteins and fibers could make an attractive new addition to the food formulator’s toolbox in everything from bread and pasta to plant-based milks, says EverGrain, a new company backed by Anheuser Busch InBev dedicated to upcycling brewer’s spent...
LIVEKINDLY Collective, which owns a growing stable of vegan brands, has acquired the No Meat business from UK retailer Iceland Foods. We caught up with the group’s management to learn more about its growth ambitions.
What major food trends will we see develop in the coming months on-shelf? And how will retailers respond to mounting pressure for improved sustainability credentials? FoodNavigator asks three retail experts to look into their crystal balls.
Fresh research suggests that, for insect-based foods to catch on in western markets, manufacturers should focus on promoting them as ‘pleasurable’ rather than healthy or environmentally friendly.