Proteins

NotCo gears up to enter ultra-competitive meat alternative category in US with NotBurger

02-Mar-2022 By Elaine Watson

Santiago-based NotCo - which entered the US market in 2020 with plant-based NotMilk - is gearing up to enter the ultra-competitive US meat alternatives category with NotBurger, a brand that has rapidly gained traction in Latin America with high-profile...

Nestle shifts portfolio to premium to fend off commoditization, drive sustained growth

01-Mar-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Through a combination of rapid innovation, investing in growth platforms, ongoing “prudent” M&A and strategic paring down of labor and factories, Nestle is on track to deliver solid mid single-digit organic growth in 2022 and into the foreseeable...

UN demands more diverse food production methods as report warns climate change risks are greater than thought

01-Mar-2022 By Oliver Morrison

Nearly a third of the world's crop fields will be unsuitable for food production by the end of this century unless carbon emissions are curbed, warns the latest instalment of the IPCC climate change report.

‘Cell density is the single most important metric for our industry in terms of scaling…’ Wildtype founders on cultivated seafood

25-Feb-2022 By Elaine Watson

While skeptics maintain cell-cultured meat faces “intractable technical challenges at food scale,” and Impossible Foods CEO Dr Pat Brown dismisses it as ‘vaporware,’ Wildtype has just persuaded investors to part with a cool $100m to help it scale up its...

GUEST ARTICLE: Microbes all dressed up... with no place to go?

25-Feb-2022 By Mark Warner, founder, Warner Advisors

The draw of industrial biotechnology is compelling: beef without the cow, eggs without the chicken, almost every animal-based product that society has relied on for centuries having a non-animal replacement in the works. Maybe it’s just me, but with...

Beyond Meat CEO: ‘The key question is whether this reduced growth rate is an aberration or a harbinger of things to come...'

25-Feb-2022 By Elaine Watson

Despite recent setbacks, the outlook for Beyond Meat is looking rosier in 2022, insisted CEO Ethan Brown during the firm’s Q4 earnings call Thursday as growth in international markets and a recovery in foodservice sales were offset by double-digit year-on-year...

Upcycled Food Association CEO: 'We want an upcycled product in every aisle of every grocery store'

24-Feb-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Upcycled food products (made from ingredients that would otherwise not have gone to human consumption) are the most straightforward and scalable path to reducing and preventing food waste, says Upcycled Food Association CEO Turner Wyatt.

betterland foods unveils ‘cow-free milk’ with Perfect Day… so how close is it to the real thing?

24-Feb-2022 By Elaine Watson

Perfect Day – one of a new breed of startups deploying synthetic biology to coax microbes into expressing animal proteins such as whey – has teamed up with new brand betterland foods to launch a ‘cow-free’ milk it claims is “virtually indistinguishable...

NEWS IN BRIEF

MGP invests $16.7m to open new protein extrusion facility

23-Feb-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Specialty proteins and starches supplier MGP Ingredients is investing $16.7m in a new facility specializing in extrusion technology for the production of its ProTerra line to meet growing demand for its texturized proteins.

Good Culture lands $64m Series C funding: 'Many nutrient dense, cultured food categories are on the table for innovation'

23-Feb-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Good Culture, best-known for disrupting the cottage cheese category with its clean label formulation, has just secured $64m in Series C funding to drive continued expansion of its healing cultured foods platform.

‘No longer a pipedream…’ Geltor completes commercial-scale manufacturing run of PrimaColl ‘animal-free’ vegan collagen for food and nutrition market

22-Feb-2022 By Elaine Watson

San Leandro-based Geltor – which has developed a computational biology platform to create ‘designer’ functional proteins via precision fermentation – has completed its first commercial-scale manufacturing run of PrimaColl ‘animal-free’ vegan collagen...

Beyond soy and pea… Mikuna expands plant protein toolbox with Chocho whole food

20-Feb-2022 By Elaine Watson

It might fit squarely in the ‘niche’ segment of the plant-based protein category right now, but the speed with which Chocho – a protein-packed variety of lupin that grows in the Andes – has gained traction online and in Erewhon stores in southern California,...

‘We're going to ramp extremely fast…’ Fungi-fueled startup Meati Foods launches meat from mycelium direct to consumer

18-Feb-2022 By Elaine Watson

Fungi-fueled Meati Foods – which raised some eyebrows in December after its new president (ex-General Mills president Scott Tassani) suggested the startup could generate a cool $1bn in sales by 2025 from mycelium-based meat alternatives – has seen a surge...

Kodiak Cakes taps into pro-athlete circle with new investment

17-Feb-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Kodiak Cakes, best known for its protein-packed pancakes and waffles products, has received an investment from Patricof Co (P/Co), a specialized private investment platform for professional athletes, to fuel the brand's continued expansion and leadership...

Calamari alternative developed from microbial fermentation: ‘If successful, we’ll look to launch in Europe’

17-Feb-2022 By Flora Southey

Aqua Cultured Foods has completed development of its first commercial product: a calamari alternative made from microbial fermentation.

Introducing the FoodNavigator-USA Positive Nutrition virtual summit: From feeding the gut microbiome to plotting the next 10 years in plant-based protein

17-Feb-2022 By Elaine Watson

What up-and-coming plant proteins are the most exciting? Chickpeas? Hemp? Canola? Barley? Pongamia? What do we really know about the best overall dietary pattern to support a healthy gut microbiome? And how do we educate consumers about the benefits...

Farmer Focus’ expansion underscores alternative model to ‘anti-competitive’ meatpacking practices

16-Feb-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

The opening of organic and Humane Certified chicken company Farmer Focus’ 78,000 square foot packaging facility in Harrisonburg, Va., announced today, is a testament to the sustainability and scalability of an alternative business model to those of the...

Tiny Organics extends baby-led weaning product line with vegetable-first finger foods: 'We want to cut through the noise'

15-Feb-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Tiny Organics has launched its Tiny Beginnings non-puree baby food line for 4- to 7-month-olds, targeting the narrow window of babies' feeding journey where they are most open to trying and developing a preference for bitter vegetables and other...

Animal-free dairy heats up as Change Foods collaborates with Sigma and Violife owner Upfield, raises $12m

15-Feb-2022 By Elaine Watson

Silicon Valley-based Change Foods – one of a new breed of startups making 'animal-free' dairy ingredients using microbes instead of cows – has closed an oversubscribed $12m seed extension round, and signed collaboration agreements with two leading...

Sustainability is redefining customer loyalty and retailers must step up efforts, says Retail Insight

14-Feb-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

The majority of US shoppers believe grocery store chains could be doing more when it comes to sustainability efforts around food packaging, food waste, and greener supply chains.

Could fruit flies slash the cost of growth media for cell cultured meat? Future Fields thinks outside the box

14-Feb-2022 By Elaine Watson

Right now, the pricier components of growth media – the nutrient-rich broth used to feed cells that will turn into cultivated meat – are typically produced by armies of microbes engineered to churn out recombinant proteins in big steel bioreactors. But...

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Race to create next gen infant formula heats up with Helaina fundraise

14-Feb-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Originally designed to help babies grow, but not much else, traditional infant formula often falls far short of delivering the same benefits as breast milk, which also boosts immunity, contributes to cognitive development, is more easily digested, and...

Ancient Nutrition partners with Rodale Institute for regenerative ag transition

14-Feb-2022 By Stephen Daniells

Supplement brand Ancient Nutrition has announced a scientific research partnership with regenerative organic agriculture pioneers Rodale Institute on its regenerative agricultural efforts.

Coca-Cola-owned fairlife hits $1bn in retail sales driving new growth to fluid milk category

11-Feb-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Value-added milk brand fairlife LLC, a subsidiary of Coca-Cola, has surpassed $1bn in retail sales, breathing new life into the sluggish fluid milk category.

Kellogg CEO predicts ‘shakeout’ in plant-based meat as category growth slows, especially in refrigerated

11-Feb-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

An influx of refrigerated plant-based meat alternatives in the past two years may have helped the category generate consumer buzz and drive initial trial early in the pandemic, but a steady slowdown in sales growth in the back half of 2021 suggests a...

ADM highlights top trends in rapidly-growing alternative protein category

10-Feb-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

As concerns about how to feed a growing global population expected to reach 8.5 billion by 2030 and consumer demand for health-forward food solutions build, ADM predicts that alternative proteins will soon transition from a niche alternative to center...

Above Food acquires Sonic Milling Systems, unlocking new oat capabilities

10-Feb-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Vertically-integrated plant-based food company Above Food has acquired Sonic Milling Systems, a food technology company using an advanced extraction technology to produce clean-label plant-based ingredients and products, with a focus on oats.

Study shows the potential of pea isolate as a 'high-quality protein'

10-Feb-2022 By Oliver Morrison

Roquette’s pea protein isolate displayed a well-balanced indispensable amino acid composition associated with a high digestibility.

‘Huge consumer appeal…’ Chickpea protein in the spotlight as Ingredion invests in InnovoPro

09-Feb-2022 By Elaine Watson

Ingredion has made an equity investment (of an undisclosed sum) in Israeli firm InnovoPro, which has developed a suite of highly functional chickpea ingredients including protein concentrates, textured vegetable proteins, and most recently, egg replacements.

Splendid Spoon raises $12m Series B funding to bolster niche spot in DTC meal delivery category

09-Feb-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Splendid Spoon, a direct-to-consumer 'no prep' fresh meal delivery service, has closed a $12m Series B funding round to fuel its expansion into new product categories, explore new channels, and further personalize its customer experience, said...

Tiny Fish Co. puts adventurous spin on tinned fish from the Pacific Northwest

09-Feb-2022 By Asia Sherman

Tiny Fish Co. is out to make a splash this year with the launch of its sustainably sourced, chef-crafted tinned fish that encourages consumers to think outside the box.

Could Tyson Foods’ profit gains due largely to price hikes trigger additional anti-competitive allegations from White House?

08-Feb-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Tyson Foods’ strong double-digit sales and profit in the first-quarter reported yesterday could intensify the Biden Administration’s scrutiny and criticism of what he calls the meat-packing industry’s anti-competitiveness.

Revolution Foods' new CEO talks next chapter of growth: 'If you don’t know where your next meal is coming from, that’s food insecurity'

07-Feb-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Taking the helm as CEO of prepared foodservice company Revolution Foods late last year, Dominic Engels will lead the company's next chapter of growth, which includes expanding its footprint into new channels and continuing to create healthy and "culturally-relevant"...

The big business of breakfast: IRI spotlights pockets of growth in the category

03-Feb-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

With 95% of consumers reporting to eat during the morning an average of six times a week, the breakfast occasion is a big business with several consumer trends shaping the future of the category, reports IRI.

Nestlé Health Science to buy majority stake in Orgain

03-Feb-2022 By Jim Cornall

Nestlé Health Science has agreed to purchase a majority stake in Orgain, a plant-based nutrition company, from its founder Dr Andrew Abraham and Butterfly Equity, who will continue to be minority share owners.

Designer proteins… made to order? Tierra Biosciences unlocks potential of cell-free protein synthesis with online ordering platform

02-Feb-2022 By Elaine Watson

Microbes from yeast to fungi are now routinely used to produce some ingredients more efficiently than plants or animals. But next-gen ‘cell-free’ processes that deploy some of the biomolecular machinery inside the cell wall, could slash R&D lead times...

Wiping out animal agriculture could turn back the clock on climate change: ‘A 15-year phaseout is not unrealistic’

02-Feb-2022 By Flora Southey

A new study conducted by Impossible Foods CEO Patrick Brown and UC Berkeley’s Michael Eisen, who consults for Impossible Foods, suggests phasing out animal agriculture has the potential to significantly influence the trajectory of global warming.

Impact Food joins the race to bring whole-cut, plant-based seafood to market with bluefin tuna alternative

02-Feb-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

With the upcoming soft launch of a plant-based tuna that mimics the taste and texture of raw bluefin used in sushi and poke, the startup Impact Food is joining the race to bring to market whole-cut, plant-based fish, which many consider the holy grail...

Kencko expands beyond instant smoothies to offer plant-based bowls following $10m fundraise

02-Feb-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

After shaking up the smoothie set with its blender-free, instant fruit and vegetable powder blends and making gum drops it claims aren’t just better-for-you but actually good for you, plant-based nutrition company Kencko is heating things up with the...

ALOHA wins long-awaited national distribution with Whole Foods: 'Whole Foods has always been the perfect consumer for us'

01-Feb-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

After its try and try again approach, plant-based protein brand ALOHA has gained national distribution with Whole Foods Market.

Whisps taps Applegate president as new CEO to unleash next wave of growth

31-Jan-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Fast-growing cheese snacks brand Whisps appoints John Ghingo, former president at Applegate, as its new CEO to lead the brand's next chapter of growth and tap into consumers' growing appetite for cheese snacks.

Catalina: Private label accelerates new product launches and innovation

28-Jan-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

While new product introductions decreased across the CPG landscape in 2020 during the height of the pandemic, new launches from national CPG brands decreased at a higher rate when compared to private label products, Catalina found.

Danone-led research uncovers how certain diets impact the gut microbiome

28-Jan-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Low-carb diets such as keto and paleo have exploded in popularity among consumers and brands that formulated products to fit the nutritional guardrails of each, but how does drastically eliminating carbs impact the diversity of good bacteria in gut microbiome?

What’s next in alternative protein? 7 trends on the up in 2022

27-Jan-2022 By Flora Southey

From precision fermentation to plant-based diversification and cultivated meat regulatory approval, the Good Food Institute (GFI) shares its predicted trends across the alternative protein landscape.

Breakthrough ingredient for plant-based chocolate? Palsgaard highlights high-performing lecithin replacement

26-Jan-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Plant-based chocolate manufacturers have a new ingredient to add to their toolbox: Palsgaard AMP 4455, an emulsifier which Palsgaard claims is twice as efficient as lecithin and can reduce the amount of cocoa butter used in plant-based chocolate formulations...

Cultivated seafood production advances with strategic deals struck by BlueNalu and Upside Foods

26-Jan-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Leaders in the cultured protein category, including BlueNalu and Upside Foods, are making waves with key partnerships and acquisitions announced this week that will boost production and access to cultivated seafood.

Cleaning up infant formula: Bobbie sets new standard for the category

25-Jan-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Bobbie, a direct-to-consumer organic infant formula brand that has taken off like a rocket ship in its first year on the market, is raising the bar for the category after receiving the Clean Label Purity Award as well as certification as a Pesticide-Free...

NEWS IN BRIEF

Above Food and Umiami team to introduce whole-cut, plant-based meat and fish analogues

20-Jan-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Above Food, a vertically-integrated plant-based foods company and Umiami, a food technology firm based in France, are partnering to develop whole-cut, plant-based meat and fish analogues.

The Spare Food Co. transforms yogurt byproduct into sparkling tonic

19-Jan-2022 By Asia Sherman

The Spare Food Co. is rescuing watery whey from the yogurt production process and infusing it into effervescent elixirs in the hopes of fixing a broken food system and reversing climate change.

Plant-based investment interest is high among large CPG players, but valuations, deal sizes are dropping

19-Jan-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

As demand for plant-based products rises, large players looking for a piece of the action likely will continue to buy their way in, but one market analyst predicts that the checks they will cut and stakes they will take in innovators in the space will...