Proteins

Impossible Foods slashes foodservice prices again, despite ‘skyrocketing’ demand: ‘It’s the first cut of 2021 but it won’t be the last’

06-Jan-2021 By Elaine Watson

While cutting prices when demand is “skyrocketing” is somewhat unorthodox, Impossible Foods’ latest double-digit price cut to foodservice distributors reflects its growing economies of scale and mission to make plant-based meat a more accessible and affordable...

TurtleTree Labs aims to produce growth factors for cell cultured meat, milk, at 'fraction' of price of pharma grade equivalents

06-Jan-2021 By Elaine Watson

For cell-cultured meat to be commercially viable, we’ll need to see significant movement in the price and availability of growth factors (signaling proteins that stimulate cell growth and differentiation) says startup TurtleTree Labs, which has created...

Egg Innovations CEO: ‘Cage-free is a step in the right direction, but it isn’t meeting the entire needs of birds’

05-Jan-2021 By Elaine Watson

If some consumers – and state regulators - are paying more attention to the living conditions of the nation’s hens, many shoppers are still bewildered by the plethora of welfare-related claims in the egg category, says the CEO of Egg Innovations, a leading...

Frontline food industry workers prioritized for next phase of COVID-19 vaccination

21-Dec-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Frontline food industry workers will be among the first to be vaccinated after health care workers and those in long-term care facilities, according to federal guidance approved by the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization...

Egg Innovations acquires PECKISH snack brand

17-Dec-2020 By Elaine Watson

Egg Innovations, a vertically integrated producer of pasture-raised and free-range eggs, has struck an all-stock deal to acquire egg-fueled snack brand PECKISH.

InnovoPro opens US subsidiary as chickpea protein gains traction: ‘We think the market opportunity is huge’

17-Dec-2020 By Elaine Watson

There are now more than 100 R&D projects in countries all over the world featuring chickpea protein concentrates from Israeli startup InnovoPro, which has just opened a US subsidiary and is currently recruiting account managers in North America as...

News in brief

Flavorchem unveils 2021 trends and flavor forecast

17-Dec-2020 By Elaine Watson

From upcycled ingredients and plant-proteins to a thirst for ‘flavor exploration’ after months of being stuck at home, Flavorchem highlights some trends to watch in its 2021 trends and flavor forecast.

Investing in the Future of Food: Food-tech investments target productivity, quality & sustainability

16-Dec-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

Pandemic-fueled consumer demand for food that is healthier, more sustainable, ethically produced and easier to access has fueled a “burst of investment” in food-tech in 2020 that Finistere Ventures predicts will have a lasting impact on the industry long...

‘Made from mushrooms, tastes like bacon…’ Atlast Food Co launches consumer product, builds b2b strategy

15-Dec-2020 By Elaine Watson

Atlast Food Co – a New York-based startup unlocking a new category in the meat alternatives market (whole cuts) by growing huge slabs of fungi-based ‘meat’ from mushroom mycelium – expects construction to begin on a new production facility early next...

Poll: More consumers go plant-based for the holidays

14-Dec-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Plant-based meal options are becoming more common at family dining tables this holiday season as 70% of households plan to have at least one plant-based dish on the table, according to results from a OnePoll survey commissioned by Eat Just, Inc.

Silk Kids Almondmilk Yogurt Alternative launches to meet growing demand for plant-based kids’ options

11-Dec-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

While interest in plant-based options for children is on the rise, meeting the high bar for taste and texture set by kids – who often are less willing than adults to compromise on experience for nutrition – can be a tall order, according to some nutritionists.

Chobani bets big on probiotics, expands oatmilk line with zero sugar option

10-Dec-2020 By Elaine Watson

Chobani has moved further into the functional foods arena with the launch of probiotic yogurts and shakes, which follow hot on the heels of its plant-based probiotic beverage and protein- and fiber-packed Chobani Complete range, which hit shelves in the...

Nature's Fynd raises $45m to build nutritional fungi protein platform, gears up for 2021 launch

09-Dec-2020 By Elaine Watson

Nature’s Fynd - a Chicago-based startup growing protein-packed food from microbes with a fraction of the environmental footprint of meat or dairy – has raised a further $45m and hired a clutch of food industry veterans as it gears up to launch its first...

From ‘made with plants’ to plant-based… Tyson eliminates eggs from Raised & Rooted nuggets, drops ‘blended’ burger

07-Dec-2020 By Elaine Watson

Meat processing giant Tyson Foods threw its hat into the plant-based meat arena in 2019 with the nationwide launch of the Raised & Rooted brand, which is now available in 10,000+ US retail locations and select QSR outlets. But has it met expectations?

What's the difference between plant-based and vegan? Foodchain ID unveils new certification schemes

07-Dec-2020 By Elaine Watson

While the terms 'plant-based' and 'vegan' might appear to be interchangeable (they both exclude animal products), consumers do not view them in quite the same way, claims Foodchain ID, which has just launched separate 'vegan,'...

SavorEat: First food tech IPO announced on Tel Aviv Stock Exchange

07-Dec-2020 By Flora Southey

Israeli start-up SavorEat is celebrating going public on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE), which co-founder and CEO Racheli Vizman says represents an industry first for food tech.

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: XPRIZE offers $15m to accelerate innovation of fish, chicken alternatives

07-Dec-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

Even as the animal protein sector nears $3 trillion dollars, it is falling short of demand while simultaneously straining limited resources – a problem that will compound in the next 20 years as the global wealth and the population grows, according to...

GALLERY: Plant-based brands and innovations to watch in 2021

04-Dec-2020 By Elaine Watson

Plant-based eggs, bacon, and everything inbetween… check out our gallery of plant-based brands and innovations to watch in 2021, from NotCo and Black Sheep Foods to Gold & Green. There are of course SCORES of exciting brands not covered here; this...

Comfort foods take center plate in Grubhub’s 2020 ‘Year in Food’ report

03-Dec-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Analyzing user behavior for its more than 30 million active diners this year, online and mobile-food ordering platform Grubhub saw surging orders for comfort foods and a rise of ready-to-drink coffee orders.

Good Catch plant-based seafood expands in Europe, eyes innovation: 'There is an opportunity to be wildly creative from a culinary and technology standpoint'

03-Dec-2020 By Katy Askew

US plant-based seafood brand Good Catch is expanding in Europe, having secured listings in the Netherlands and Spain. “We have a passion for the culinary arts, for saving our oceans and for providing craveable plant-based products for consumers that believe...

GALLERY: Food tech companies to watch in 2021

02-Dec-2020 By Elaine Watson

From a flurry of startups using microbes – instead of plants or animals – to produce proteins, to AI-driven platforms exploring ‘the dark matter of nutrition,’ and real honey produced without bees, check out our gallery of foodtech companies to watch...

Cell-based protein heats up in Singapore, Eat Beyond announces strategic focus on TurtleTree and SingCell

02-Dec-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Eat Beyond Global Holdings, a publicly-held investment issuer focused on alternative proteins and traded on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE), has announced its strategic focus on the advancement of the cell-based agriculture industry in Singapore through...

Rising food prices push consumers to consider alternative proteins, DIY sourcing and locally grown

02-Dec-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

Faced with rising food prices and stagnant or reduced income during the pandemic, Americans are embracing a more DIY-approach to sourcing and cooking food to save money, and are less tolerant of waste that they believe could help feed the hungry, according...

World first: Eat Just gets regulatory approval for cell-based chicken ingredient in Singapore

02-Dec-2020 By Gary Scattergood

Eat Just has been granted the world’s first regulatory approval for cultured chicken - as an ingredient in chicken bites in Singapore.

Hormel Foods’ sales, volume drop in Q4 amid pandemic-constraints, but execs optimistic about 2021

01-Dec-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

Even though pandemic-related supply chain and manufacturing constraints hindered Hormel Foods ability to meet “unprecedented” demand in its fourth quarter, causing it to miss potential sales and volume growth, executives are confident it can meet demand...

Danone adopts ‘Local First’ model to regain profitability by mid-2021

30-Nov-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

After a tumultuous year caused by the pandemic, Danone is transitioning from a category-led to a "Local First" business model, which will help the company return to profitable growth as soon H2 2021, said Danone chairman and CEO Emmanuel Faber....

Mother Raw raises $6.1m to accelerate plant-based mission

24-Nov-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Toronto-based Mother Raw, a fast-growing brand of fresh, plant-based dressings, condiments, and quesos, has closed a US$6.1m Series A financing round to accelerate distribution across the US while expanding marketing and innovation initiatives, said CEO...

COVID-19 fuels interest in personalized nutrition and products to support physical & emotional health

24-Nov-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

As consumers continue to navigate the pandemic’s threat to their physical and emotional health in the New Year, they increasingly will seek nutrition that is personalized, technologically enhanced, mood moderating and immunity boosting, according to Innova...

Let There Be Hemp debuts with chips, explores intriguing array of novel hempseed products from extruded puffs to plant-based cheese

20-Nov-2020 By Elaine Watson

Hemp seeds are nutritional dynamite, but they’re still surprisingly under-utilized in foods and beverages, say the founders of Let There Be Hemp, a new brand hoping to make a splash in the chips category, and - down the road - to introduce Americans to...

No Evil Foods: Plant-based eating should be 'about inclusivity and positivity... not finger pointing and shaming'

20-Nov-2020 By Elaine Watson

The plant-based meat category is becoming increasingly competitive, with legacy brands vying for shelf space with multinationals, well-funded foodtech players, and a host of enterprising startups, says No Evil Foods co-founder Sadrah Schadel. But independent...

Gourmend offers flavorful, educational solutions to support consumers navigating low-FODMAP diet

20-Nov-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

For the estimated one in seven people sensitive to short chain carbohydrates, following the low-FODMAP diet can provide immense digestive relief, but discovering, understanding and complying with the diet can be difficult given the prevalence of common...

Nestlé FITS data: Dietary iron gaps rise to dangerous levels revealing market opportunity for innovation

19-Nov-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

A sharp and steady decline over the past 18 years of infant iron consumption uncovered by Nestlé’s long-term Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study reveals a threat to children’s brain development and learning capabilities as well as a significant market...

Wicked Foods to launch chef-driven, plant-based foods in the US and Canada

18-Nov-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Wicked Foods, one the UK’s top plant-based food brands available in more than 3,700 Tesco stores, will launch its product line – which will focus on ready-made, convenient meal solutions – in the US and Canada in the summer of 2021.

Eclipse Foods moves into retail, raises $12m Series A: ‘We’re following the Beyond Meat playbook’

17-Nov-2020 By Elaine Watson

Many plant-based dairy brands are built around ‘hero’ ingredients such as almond or coconut. At Eclipse Foods, by contrast, the mission is to replicate the taste and functionality of real dairy, and the brand, which could span multiple dairy platforms,...

Webinar Tomorrow: Meeting Children’s Nutritional Needs from conception through the teenage years

17-Nov-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

Children’s dietary patterns are mostly set by the time they turn 2 years old, which doesn’t leave a lot of wiggle room for indulging picky eaters if caregivers want their kids to grow up eating – and liking – a wide variety of healthy, nutrient-dense...

Beyond Meat to unveil two new burgers in early 2021, removes mung bean protein, promises 'enhanced meaty flavor'

16-Nov-2020 By Elaine Watson

Beyond Meat will gradually replace its flagship plant-based Beyond Burger in 2021 with two new variations: a “juicier and meatier” burger featuring 35% less saturated fat than 80/20 beef burgers, and its “most nutritious patty yet,” featuring 55% less...

Protein Industries Canada, Ingredion, and others invest over $19m in advancing plant protein production

13-Nov-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Protein Industries Canada – an industry-led, not-for-profit organization aimed at positioning Canada as world leader in plant-based protein production – along with partnering companies Ingredion, Ingredion Plant Based Protein Specialties (Canada), Verdient...

Plant-based startup Zero Egg raises $5m to support US expansion; brand is a 'gamechanger,' says Powerplant Ventures

11-Nov-2020 By Elaine Watson

Zero Egg – an Israeli startup hoping to crack the US market with the launch of plant-based egg alternatives for CPG manufacturers and foodservice operators – has raised $5m in a Series A round led by Powerplant Ventures, and joined by existing investors...

Home Chef enjoys strong double-digit growth, boosts convenience to tackle ‘cooking fatigue’

10-Nov-2020 By Elaine Watson

Meal kit co Home Chef – now part of Kroger – is generating “double-digit, near triple-digit growth year on year,” as it has expanded its offering beyond traditional meal kits that may take 45-55 minutes to prepare, to fully cooked prepared meals that...

IRI: Consumers rethink holiday plans amid the pandemic uncertainty

09-Nov-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Consumers are dramatically rethinking their holiday plans this year as COVID-19 cases continue to rise, notes IRI.

IWON Organics completes funding round, gears up for new product launch in 2021

09-Nov-2020 By Elaine Watson

Protein-fueled organic snack brand IWON Organics has raised $500k in a new funding round and is gearing up to launch a new product in 2021 that will take it into new territory, says founder and CEO Mark Samuel, who has just picked up some new distribution...

WEBINAR tomorrow (Nov. 11): Innovation in Action … Meet the Trailblazers

06-Nov-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

As illustrated by the diversity and record number of entrants to FoodNavigator-USA’s 2020 Food For Kids Trailblazers Challenge, innovation abounds in the children’s food and beverage segment, but funding and shelf space in stores – even digital ones –...

Ahold Delhaize on track to hit over $8bn in online sales in 2020

05-Nov-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Ahold Delhaize – whose store brands in the US include Food Lion, Giant, Hannaford, and Stop & Shop – is accelerating its omnichannel business model with dozens of new stores and nearly 1,400 new Click & Collect locations planned for 2021, as well...

Amy’s Kitchen gears up to open new plant, predicts revenues will approach $600m in 2020

05-Nov-2020 By Elaine Watson

Amy’s Kitchen – maker of frozen organic foods and shelf-stable soups – is on course to generate revenues approaching $600m in 2020, a double-digit increase vs 2019 for the family-owned vegan and vegetarian food brand, which will open a new pizza production...

Growth Spurt gears up for launch of goat’s milk toddler formula: ‘It’s a much closer breakdown to breast milk’

02-Nov-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Cow’s milk allergy is one the most common food allergies among infants and toddlers, yet very few formula alternatives exist for parents looking for a solution that eases their baby’s digestive sensitivities while matching the nutritional profile of breast...

Ingredion to acquire 100% ownership of Verdient Foods advancing pulse-based protein production

02-Nov-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Ingredion has signed an agreement to acquire the remaining portion of ownership in Verdient Foods in Vanscoy, Saskatchewan, increasing its investment in the plant-based proteins space from $185m to more than $200m over the last two years.

Meati Foods raises $28m to expand its fungi-based protein platform

30-Oct-2020 By Elaine Watson

Meati Foods – which is carving out new territory in the meat-alternative space with a fungi-based platform capable of producing ‘steaks’ and other whole cuts – has raised $28m in a Series A round led by Acre Venture Partners.

Amazon Q3 2020 sales rise 37% as retailer errs on the side of ‘too much’ capacity to meet fluctuating customer demand

30-Oct-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Amazon posted $96.1bn in net sales in Q3 2020 (ended Sept. 30, 2020), a 37% increase compared to Q3 2019.

Benson Hill closes $150m Series D funding round, readies for 2021 launch of ultra-high protein soybean

29-Oct-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Benson Hill has closed a $150m Series D funding round led by Wheatshef Group and GV (formerly Google Ventures) to expand and commercialize its proprietary CropOS platform, the technology responsible for breeding highly-productive and more nutrient-dense...

WEBINAR Nov. 4: FOOD FOR KIDS Beverage Trends

28-Oct-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Kids are drinking less milk and juice as they get older, but what are they drinking instead, and is it good for them? How do parents evaluate what types of drinks are good for kids? What are parents looking for on food labels?