From perceptions of over-processing to the potential slowing of meat reduction across multiple geographies, the plant-based sector faces challenges. Innovation, ingredients majors tell FoodNavigator, is required to propel the category forward.
Food price inflation in Europe is a serious worry for many consumers staring down the barrel of higher prices at the checkout. What impact is this going to have on F&B innovation and consumer demand in 2023?
The maker of mycoprotein-based seafood alternatives has begun buildout of a new facility in the US, from where it will produce products for the European market.
ProVeg UK claims the British Government is preparing to ban plant-based products from using dairy descriptor names such as ‘m*lk’ and ‘b*tter’, plans that it has branded ‘outrageous and unnecessary’.
Multus Biotechnology’s ‘first-of-its kind’ facility will open its doors before the end of the year. We catch up with co-founder and CEO Cai Linton to ask: Why should industry outsource growth media, rather than develop it in-house?
In Israel, Vgarden Ltd. has developed what it claims is ‘game-changing’ vegan tinned tuna. Omer Eliav, chief of R&D and Vgarden co-founder runs us though the most challenging aspects of replicating the kitchen staple, fish-free.
What do Dutch consumers think about cultured meat compared to its conventional counterpart, fish, insects, and plant-based meat alternatives? Researchers investigate.
Swedish mycoprotein start-up Mycorena is working to accelerate the hybrid meat category through a collaboration with meat manufacturer Nybergs Deli and supermarket retailer ICA.
US-based MycoTechnology says it is set to accelerate its growth plans in Europe after the European Commission granted Novel Food status to two of its mycelium-based plant proteins.
Combining cellular agriculture technology with diverse, locally available crops allows food producers the chance to provide ‘authentic, next-generation meat alternatives on an industrial scale’, claims the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.
From meatless burgers to Beanz Bowls and pasta sauces, The Kraft Heinz Company is entering multiple new categories with an expanded plant-based portfolio. Cristina Kenz, Chief Growth & Sustainability Officer, International, Kraft Heinz, explains why...
From Ukraine to neighbouring Romania and north-eastern Lithuania, interest in alternative proteins is on the up. Meet three new start-ups developing animal-free whole cuts, mycoprotein ingredients, and plant-based sashimi.
A new preclinical study concludes that cricket powder provides distinctive antioxidant properties in addition to excellent nutrition, making it an innovative tool to be used in both food and medical fields.
Why does bovine milk dominate the infant formula category, when plant-based is booming in adult nutrition? FoodNavigator speaks with lawyer Jessica Burt from Mills & Reeve, as well as brands Aptamil and Sprout Organic to discuss the plant-based potential...
The German federal government has adopted a new nutrition strategy that places increasing plant-based consumption and reducing the intake of products that are high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) at its heart. The reaction has been mixed, with critics suggesting...
A consortium of Dutch businesses and academia have launched a five-year research project examining the use of protein-based biopolymers for potential food and healthcare applications. The outcome could have a significant impact on the cultured meat sector...
Two thirds (67%) of European consumers see plant-based dairy as complementary, not a substitute to dairy products, and ‘an opportunity to try something new’ (65%), new research from ofi shows.
Nutrition, health and bioscience company DSM’s business includes solutions it believes will help make the food system more sustainable across both human and animal nutrition. When we caught up with Elisabeth Hirschbichler, VP of Strategy, Innovation and...
ABF Ingredients, the speciality ingredient arm of Associated British Foods, secured a ‘record’ performance in the face of difficult conditions seen throughout 2022. But it looks likely that the worst is not yet behind us, with expectations of a deepening...
Santiago-based NotCo – a food tech company deploying a proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) platform called ‘Giuseppe’ to bring a new level of sophistication to the formulation of meat and dairy alternatives – has raised $70m in a series D1 round*...
Amano Enzyme, a Japanese-headquartered enzyme producer, is opening a European hub to ramp up its capabilities in the region and accelerate growth. We hear from Kazumi Washisaka, Managing Director at Amano Enzyme Europe Limited, to learn more about the...
Mycelia-focused MycoTechnology has teamed up with ingredients supplier IFF to expand its reach to Europe, all the while Novel Foods approval for its FermentIQ protein is imminent, Lisa Wetstone, Director, Innovation & Growth Strategy, tells FoodNavigator....
In 2021, ingredient supplier BENEO launched its protein strategy. The company discusses how it is investing in innovation and capabilities to expand in plant-based, with the launch of its first semi-finished product and plans for a new fava processing...
Motif FoodWorks has filed a suite of new petitions with the US Patent and Trademark Office challenging US patents held by Impossible Foods over the use of heme proteins in meat alternatives as it defends itself against accusations of IP infringement....
Ingredients giant DSM has launched textured vegetable protein that contains necessary levels of all nine essential amino acids to be a complete protein, has unique textural benefits and is soy-free, gluten-free and dairy-free.
US-based MeliBio is partnering with organic food producer Narayan Foods to bring its plant-based bee-free honey product to Europe under the Better Foodie brand.
Vegan ice cream has been tipped as a top trend for the category. But European challenger brands are cool on its prospects, suggesting instead that consumers prefer familiar flavours and dairy-based favourites.
In the US, a cultivated meat product has successfully completed the FDA’s pre-market safety review, moving it one step closer to commercialisation. What implications does this regulatory greenlight have for Europe’s cell-based meat sector?
The ingredients majors have combined expertise and technologies to develop their ‘vegurt’ offerings. FoodNavigator asks Chr. Hansen and CP Kelco about the challenges they’ve overcome to create ambient, plant-based yoghurt alternatives.
How does the sustainability performance of plant-based alternatives stack up against conventional meat and dairy? Is the category worthy of its ‘sustainability halo’? FoodNavigator investigates.
OCEANIUM has developed a high-fibre seaweed-based one-for-one methylcellulose replacement for plant-based meat which can be used in other products applications including gluten-free breads and beverages. Farmed seaweed also boasts numerous environmental,...
Unilever has said it is exploring making ‘cow-free’ ice cream and is hoping to soon launch a product made with dairy proteins made via precision fermentation, but admitted there’s a danger they will be ultimately be rejected by shoppers if they are perceived...
Loki Foods, located in the ‘seafood capital of the world’, is tackling climate change through food. Its first project is a plant-based whitefish alternative boasting an equivalent nutritional profile – without the nasties.
A UK-based molecular farming start-up has developed a new genetic engineering method to make lower-cost growth factors from tobacco plants that can be used for cultivated meat production.
Pascual’s open innovation arm has picked two precision-fermentation dairy startups to invest in, while a quintet of companies has been selected for the second edition of the startup accelerator program.
Cultivated meat – made from animal cells grown in bioreactors instead of living breathing animals – has edged one step closer to commercialization in the US after the FDA sent Berkeley-based UPSIDE Foods a ‘no questions’ letter affirming the safety of...
French cheese and snacks maker Bel Group has entered into a strategic partnership with precision fermentation start-up Standing Ovation. The company says the move will help it ‘meet the challenge of proteins for the future’.
A new international platform, Plant2Food, has been set up to accelerate the protein transition. Whatever the findings, no patents will be applied on the results.
Carbon tracking experts are urging the UK government and industry to work together to introduce one unified front-of-pack labelling system displaying the carbon footprint of a food and beverage product to consumers.
Plant-based meat start-up Meat.The End (MTE) is announcing its first commercial collaboration, with Burger King in Israel. MTE CEO Dr Yishai Mishor explains how its veggie burger and plant-based nuggets ended up on the QSR major’s menu.
