Proteins

Summer Fancy Food Show

Vêsucré’s recipe for creamy, clean-label vegan desserts: neurodivergent employees + simple ingredients

01-Jul-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Crafted by a neurodivergent team with special skills for consumers with special diets in a facility where nothing goes to waste, startup Vêsucré is bringing to market decadent vegan desserts that are free from soy, gluten and refined sugar.

Consumers go nuts for protein-packed product innovation

01-Jul-2024 By Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe

With Reese’s collaborating with One to launch a high protein iteration of the iconic peanut butter cup, should other manufacturers be looking at this functional ingredient too?

Future Food Tech Alternative Protein Summit

50/50 Foods targets flexitarians with Both Burgers featuring half beef, half veggies

28-Jun-2024 By Deniz Ataman

50/50 Foods' Both Burgers with a 50/50 beef and veggie blend target flexitarians who love meat but want more plants, while also addressing water scarcity caused by traditional agriculture, according to CEO Drew Arentowicz at the Future Food Tech...

How gut health and GLP-1s are reshaping food innovation

27-Jun-2024 By Deniz Ataman

While protein, fiber and low-carb options dominate the market, new diet drugs and consumer preferences are pushing the food industry to innovate for a future focused on gut health and targeted nutrition, one industry player said.

Beyond sugar, salt, fat: Rethinking ultra-processed foods and reform

27-Jun-2024 By Deniz Ataman

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans Advisory Committee is considering how the industry should approach ultra processed foods (UPFs) – including nomenclature and infrastructure.

[Video] PFx Biotech co-founder on using precision fermentation to bolster infant formula supply chain

27-Jun-2024 By Ryan Daily

Portuguese-based food-tech startup PFx Biotech is harnessing precision-fermentation to create human milk proteins for infant formulas and other applications, company Co-founder Harry Barraza shared during the Future Food-Tech Alternative Proteins event...

Hero Bread raises $21m to fuel retail expansion of better-for-you baked goods

26-Jun-2024 By Ryan Daily

Hero Bread is using $21 million in series B funding to reinforce its retail footprint as more consumers demand more nutritious and healthier baked goods, including through direct-to-consumer (DTC) channels, company CEO YuChiang Cheng told FoodNavigator-USA....

Future Food Tech

Future-proofing cultivated seafood: Addressing supply chain hurdles for the next decade

26-Jun-2024 By Deniz Ataman

While cultivated seafood has made significant progress over the last six years, experts at the Future Food Tech conference last week emphasized the importance of mitigating supply chain barriers by identifying key markets for better nutritional access...

Future Food-Tech Alternative Proteins Summit

Who wants to eat cockatoos? Exploring alt-protein’s future beyond the analogues

25-Jun-2024 By Ryan Daily

Alt-protein startups have unlocked the potential to create a range of novel meat products — from cell-cultivated mammoth meatballs to tiger meat — with the help of biotech processes. However, companies should think carefully when developing products too...

US beef market resilient ahead of July 4 holiday, as industry grapples with Scope 3 reporting

20-Jun-2024 By Ryan Daily

The US beef market remains resilient in Q2 with high prices and consumer demand, as global production is expected to decline in the coming quarters and the industry struggles to implement environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting changes, Lance...

The EVERY Co., Landish introduce animal-free protein mixes for coffee, matcha

14-Jun-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Under the new brand FERMY, American biotech startup The EVERY Co. and Canadian functional beverage and supplement business Landish launched protein and adaptogen-infused coffee enhancer and matcha latte mixes today.

'We are genuinely looking for technology': Investment drivers in plant-based meat and dairy

13-Jun-2024 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

The future of plant-based hangs in the balance. There are still investors who want in; but what are they looking for?

Seed to Surf sails on to Whole Foods shelves with vegan tinned seafood

12-Jun-2024 By Ryan Daily

Canadian-based vegan seafood brand Seed to Surf is debuting its tinned fish product at more than 150 US Whole Foods Markets after completing the retailer’s Local and Emerging Accelerator Program (LEAP), and is teeing innovation in the soup category, company...

JUST Egg introduces new formulation on the heels of breakfast burrito launch

10-Jun-2024 By Deniz Ataman

JUST Egg enhances its plant-based egg formula with JUST Egg v5 for wider culinary applications, while solidifying its breakfast category presence with the Breakfast Burrito launch last month.

Milk made from black-eyed peas? New alt dairy overshadows competitors on protein

10-Jun-2024 By Flora Southey

A new base for alternative dairy has been developed with protein content front-of-mind.

Prolific Machines raises $55m in Series B1 funding to shine light on optogenetics’ potential in biotech

06-Jun-2024 By Ryan Daily

Biomanufacturing technology provider Prolific Machines raised $55 million in Series B1 funding, which will go to support the commercialization of its light-based biotech platform, company Co-founder and CEO Deniz Kent told FoodNavigator-USA.

Future Food-Tech

Moving beyond nuggets, burgers: How alt protein can capitalize on areas of whitespace innovation

04-Jun-2024 By Ryan Daily

The alternative-protein market might have an opportunity to kickstart market growth with innovative products that cater to more meal occasions, including breakfast, and by meeting the demands of flexitarian consumers, Fazeela Abdul Rashid, partner at...

Oscar Mayer might be on auction block, but still has a ‘role to play’ at Kraft Heinz

03-Jun-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Kraft Heinz will continue to innovate and actively promote its Oscar Mayer brand, which has a “role to play in the scale of the company,” CEO Carlos Abrams-Rivera told investors last week when asked about rumors that the company could divest the iconic...

The colour conundrum: Red or green packaging for plant-based meat?

03-Jun-2024 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Colour plays a key role in how consumers see products. Should plant-based companies use red to evoke flavour, or green to evoke sustainability, with their offerings?

Cibo Vita stays ahead in ‘smart snacking’ with scientific backing, cutting-edge tech

30-May-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

A self-declared leader in the “smart snacking movement,” Cibo Vita stays ahead of the competition in an increasing saturated category by developing products with “more scientific backing,” adding functional benefits to popular categories without them...

CVS’s expanded, rebranded private label snack line blends functional, fun & flavor

30-May-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

CVS is putting the ‘fun’ in functional food with the launch of more than 40 snacks, beverages and grocery items with trendy flavors and ingredients consumers want, including probiotics, fiber, protein and superfoods like turmeric and goji berries under...

Future Food Tech

Tapping into the $2b+ mycelium market to improve alternative protein innovation

29-May-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Mycelium has a long history in food, but its potential for today’s consumer packaged foods (CPG) industry highlights the need for increased R&D in resourceful and responsible food production that helps address the challenges of a growing global population...

Plant-Based 3.0 webinar: Tune in May 29 to discover what consumers want from meat alternatives, how to deliver on their taste, texture, appearance & nutrition demands

28-May-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Nearly two-thirds of Americans are willing to swap meat for plant-based alternatives, and more than half have tried an alternative protein – but of those that have tried, nearly a quarter have not done so a second time, according to research cited by...

Florida, Alabama ban cultivated meat in move that is seen as political

24-May-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Cultivate meat bans and production restrictions proposed and passed at the state level are “a reflection [of states’] political climate rather than specifically about the industry or its potential,” Daphna Heffetz, co-founder and CEO, Wanda Fish told...

RollinGreens’ plant-based bowls prioritize shelf-stable convenience

24-May-2024 By Deniz Ataman

RollinGreens expands it plant-based meat portfolio with the launch of shelf-stable bowls featuring the company’s flagship M’EAT and CHIC’Ken protein, Lindsey Cunningham, co-founder and CEO, told FoodNavigator-USA

Future Food Tech Alternative Proteins Summit

Startups offering solutions for challenges facing alternative proteins converge in Chicago next month

23-May-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Four startups pitching next month at Future Food Tech Alternative Proteins Summit in Chicago, along with entrepreneurs from many more emerging businesses showcasing in the event’s Startup Pavilion, are tackling some of the biggest challenges facing plant-based,...

Sweets & Snacks Expo

Protein snacks ride the healthy indulgence line with familiar flavors

22-May-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Consumers increasingly are seeking convenient and flavorful ways to integrate protein into their diets, particularly as snacking replaces traditional meals among younger demographics, which gives snack makers an opportunity to develop protein-rich snack...

Sweets & Snacks Expo

More than protein: How meat snacks are redefining convenience and nutrition

21-May-2024 By Deniz Ataman

With more than 40 meat snack brands exhibiting during the Sweets & Snacks Expo, the protein-packed and portable food category is surging in popularity due to its alignment with consumers seeking convenient, satiating snacks to replace meals on-the-go.

Cultivated meat’s consumer acceptance problem: Many Americans unwilling to try cultured protein, perceive it as less healthy, less tasty, according to Purdue University survey

21-May-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Recent survey data from Purdue University that found one-third of Americans are unwilling to try cultivated chicken or cow prepared in a restaurant underscores the extent of the category’s "consumer acceptance problem,” despite efforts by industry...

Are protein bars and powders damaging to gut health?

21-May-2024 By Donna Eastlake

High-protein products and gut health represent two of the biggest food trends of the last decade, but is one bad for the other?

Sweets & Snacks Expo

Sweets and snacks defend sales as interest in GLP-1 medications rise by expanding better-for-you indulgent products

20-May-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Rivalz’s stuffed, vegan snacks could deliver the satiety effects of GLP-1 medications and meets USDA guidelines for healthy snacks distributed in schools thanks to patented extrusion technology that creates vegan fillings packed with protein and fiber,...

PeakBridge raises $187m for Growth Fund II, invests in protein, cocoa, dairy alternatives

17-May-2024 By Ryan Daily

This week, food tech venture capital (VC) firm PeakBridge closed its Growth Fund II after raising $187m – surpassing its target — and invested in meat, dairy, and cocoa alternatives as part of its second fund, Nadav Berger, the company’s founder and managing...

Future of plant-based foods: Whole-cut meats will lead ‘next resurgence of consumers’

17-May-2024 By Ryan Daily

The meat and dairy alternative markets are bifurcating as some consumers seek premium products, including whole cuts, while others make their own plant-based dishes to save money, Miri Eliyahu, senior research analyst at Euromonitor, told FoodNavigator-USA.

PBFA: Plant-based sales slid in 2023, but ‘with ample space & signage’ units, dollars increase

17-May-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Sales of plant-based products dipped slightly in 2023 from the prior year as prices rose to offset inflation at a faster rate than their animal counterparts in some – but not all – categories, according to new data from the Plant Based Foods Association....

Oobli partners with Grupo Bimbo to bring sweet proteins to baked goods

16-May-2024 By Ryan Daily

Biotech company Oobli signed a formal agreement with Grupo Bimbo to supply the baked goods manufacturer with sweet proteins — the first major step in the startup establishing itself as an ingredient provider.

Disrupting fermentation: Lever VC highlights 5 technologies to improve biotech processes

14-May-2024 By Ryan Daily

Given the complexity of alternative-protein manufacturing, many biotech companies are exploring how to reduce costs with AI technologies, process improvements and novel uses for waste streams from other industries, Lever VC shared in a recent report.

C.A. Fortune’s Build Tank winners garner praise from national retailers for compelling branding, packaging

13-May-2024 By Ryan Daily

Walnut snack company Unbound Snacks took home the gold at C.A. Fortune's Build Tank event in Chicago, for its category innovations and eye-catching packaging, while other brands impressed buyers through unique products and branding.

NPD Trend Tracker: From plant-based ice-cream to gluten-free fast food

13-May-2024 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

On our NPD Trend Tracker this week, we have a range of new products from big brands; new flavours from Kettle Chips, plant-based thighs from This, plant-based ice cream from Flora Professional, and a gluten free range from Leon. We also have a collaboration...

What is next for alternative proteins? Strategies for engaging with consumers, enhancing nutrition and moving beyond nuggets, patties and sausage

10-May-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

The FoodNavigator-USA team is heading to Chicago next month to Future Food-Tech’s Alternative Proteins summit, where we will help lead discussions around overcoming obstacles facing plant-based and cultivated meat and seafood and help identify areas of...

Laird Superfood perks up morning cup of coffee with protein-rich creamer

09-May-2024 By Ryan Daily

Laird Superfood is giving the best part of waking up – coffee – a functional boost with the release of its new protein-rich creamer, the brand’s VP of Marketing Martha Opela told FoodNavigator-USA.

Pitch perfection: Alt-protein founders share tips for securing funding at Future of Protein Production event

06-May-2024 By Ryan Daily

Alt-protein startups that are trying to attract the attention of venture-capital (VC) investors often need to ensure their business pitches focus on how they can capture a market through their product and team, while founders must convey confidence and...

Choppy! blends animal, plant-based ingredients to bridge alternative protein taste gap

01-May-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Choppy!, an alternative meat brand that combines textured plant protein with animal byproducts like collagen, beef tallow and bone broth, provides consumers with "the sensory experience of meat" in its hybrid product with the long-term goal...

Which plant-based alternatives are healthier than animal products?

01-May-2024 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Are plant-based meat and dairy substitutes healthier? Well, yes. And no. It depends. A new study investigates which substitutes do best, and worst, when pitted against animal products.

Join FoodNavigator-USA at a free editorial Webinar exploring plant-based protein

Plant-based 3.0: Industry insiders share strategies for pushing alternative proteins forward

29-Apr-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

After a challenging few years in which falling sales and units dragged plant-based protein into the trough of disillusionment, stakeholders are finding ways up the other side of the Gartner Hype Cycle by leveraging emerging technologies, novel ingredients...

Scaling alt-protein production: What to know about moving from lab to commercial scale

26-Apr-2024 By Ryan Daily

Alt-protein companies scaling their fermentation processes beyond the lab face numerous challenges that require them to think through production processes, raw ingredients, and the design of a manufacturing facility to create a commercially viable product....

Moving beyond finger-pointing: Creating healthier products that deliver on taste, indulgence

26-Apr-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Packaged food, especially ultra-processed, is a popular scapegoat for the ongoing struggle with diet-related chronic disease in America, where 70% of adults are overweight or obese, 50% have diabetes or prediabetes and 50% have heart disease – but what...

USDA announces partnerships to improve food access nationwide, globally

23-Apr-2024 By Deniz Ataman

To expand nutrition access in underserved communities, USDA partners with Reinvestment Fund to improve local food financing programs in 20 states and Washington and partners with US Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide emergency food...

Natural Products Expo West

How are alternative protein players finding solutions for consumers, retailers?

23-Apr-2024 By Deniz Ataman

While alternative protein sales and units declined notably in recent years, players cite improved food science, commercial scale, production and navigation of retailer expectations during the Natural Products Expo West event last month.

WILDE raises $20m to expand consumer awareness of protein-rich chips

23-Apr-2024 By Ryan Daily

Protein snack brand WILDE raised $20m in a round led by private-equity firm KarpReilly, which will help raise the brand’s awareness as more consumers seek nutrient-rich foods to improve their health, Jason Wright, Founder and CEO of WILDE told FoodNavigator-USA.

From air to rail: Kate’s Real Food finds opportunity to expand across travel channel

22-Apr-2024 By Ryan Daily

Organic snack-bar brand Kate’s Real Food is pushing into the travel channel with a deal to sell its product in Amtrak cars in the coming months, as it delivers on demand for high protein with a new product line.