Asian plant-based meat sensation OmniFoods makes US retail debut with OmniPork

26-Aug-2021 - Last updated on 18-Mar-2022 at 00:49 GMT

Picture credit OmniFoods

Asian plant-based meat sensation OmniFoods is making its US retail debut via a launch in Sprouts stores nationwide and select Whole Foods stores with three products: OmniPork Ground, OmniPork Strips and OmniPork Luncheon.

A food-tech company created by Hong Kong-based Green Monday, OmniFoods is best known for its plant-based pork, the most widely-consumed meat in the world ahead of poultry and beef; but has also developed OmniSeafood (plant-based tuna, fillets etc) and OmniEats (plant-based meals and dumplings).

Developed by a food science team in Canada, OmniPork grounds, strips, and luncheon meats can be seasoned, steamed, pan- or deep-fried, stuffed or crumbled for use in tacos, sliders and other US-style dishes or Asian-inspired dishes from Kung Pao (Spicy stir-fry) to Lumpiang Shanghai (Filipino-style spring rolls) and contain less saturated fat, fewer calories, and zero cholesterol compared to animal-based pork products.

Made using a proprietary blend of plant-based protein from non-GMO soy, peas, shiitake mushrooms and rice, OmniPork “has absolutely transformed the Asian plant-based food scene,” claimed OmniFoods founder David Yeung, who has set up a manufacturing base in Thailand but is developing additional sites in China.

It's still very early days, but OmniFoods has taken off like a rocket ship, said Yeung, who has struck deals with some of the biggest names in fast casual food and is now selling products in 40,000 locations in 20 countries.

Speaking to FoodNavigator-USA in May, he said: “I think the overall prospects for the industry and the category are clearly very promising and it’s driven a lot by young people right? So many parents who are brought into plant-based because of their kids. Young people are asking: 'Why hurt animals and why do so much damage to the environment?'

“Ultimately, countries are also starting to realize that industrial-scale livestock farming is risky and there are [now credible] alternatives.”

OmniFoods - which recently launched in the US foodservice market with 25 chef and restaurant partners in California and Hawaii - has partnered with high-profile chains in multiple markets including Starbucks, McDonald’s, Cathay Pacific Airlines, Disneyland Hotel, Four Seasons Hotels, Conrad Hotels, Grand Hyatt Hotels, and Pizza Express.