1.Jinka launches the world’s first fully prepared plant-based squid
Alt-Seafood company Jinka recently revealed what could be the first pre-cooked plant-based squid on the retail market. Jinka quietly previewed the novel appetizer at a recent trade show, and it appears to be sold as a perishable frozen product. According to the packaging, Jinka’s tempura bagels offer the same taste and texture as calamari, as well as protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
2.Next Meats North America launches plant-based steaks and ribs in California
Next Meats North America announced the launch of its popular plant-based ribs and steaks in California this week. At the West Coast launch, the brand’s products will be available at select locations in the Tokyo Central Japan market in Southern California. Next Meat merchandise can also be found on restaurant menus at Tex-Mex Bar Ama in Los Angeles and Ramen Shack in San Juan Capistrano.
3.Cutting-edge beef products
Founded in 2017 by entrepreneurs Ryo Shirai and Hideyuki Sasaki, Next Meats specializes in yakiniku made from non-GMO soybeans. Instead of artificial additives, the company uses seasonings such as soy sauce, garlic, salt, sesame oil and bean paste to achieve the realistic beef flavor. Next Meat’s products are perfectly sliced and ready for grilling, sautéing and sautéing. The brand’s first-to-market spare ribs and skirt steaks have in particular attracted strong interest from Japanese media and consumers, with the company releasing a new “version 2.0” of the popular spare ribs last year. Next Meat’s current line includes ribs, skirt steak and beef bowls.
4.InnovoPro launches ‘first’ textured vegetable protein made from chickpeas
Israeli food technology company InnovoPro has launched what it says is the first-ever texturized vegetable protein (TVP) made from chickpeas. TVP is used as the basis for making meat substitutes such as burgers, nuggets and sausages. TVP will debut at the SupplySide West conference at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas from October 25-28. Attendees will taste meat substitutes made with the product. In an interview with vegconomist, InnovoPro CEO Taly Nechushtan explained that chickpea protein is ideal for use in clean label products because of its very neutral taste and color. It is also a high-quality, easily digestible protein.
InnovoPro said the new TVP will allow food manufacturers to reduce the number of ingredients required for meat substitutes while maintaining high-quality taste and texture.
5.Romania’s first alternative meat brand Verdino now offers 52 products, continuing its pea-based success
Verdino Green Foods in Romania produces the country’s first meat substitute product using pea protein. The company’s portfolio now totals 52 SKUs, including a new line of plant-based sausages, cheeseburgers and veggie balls. Increased exports from countries such as Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Serbia have also encouraged investment in new products, with the new product range including six sausages: Sausage and Spinach Sausage – inspired by German and Austrian cuisine, Breakfast Sausage – inspired by British cuisine Merguez – With North African spices but very popular in France, Salsiccia sausages with Mediterranean spices and homemade traditional sausages from Romanian and Polish cuisine.
6.Thailand’s largest agri-food company launches MEAT ZER0, aiming to be among the top three global alternative meat brands by 2026
Thai pork and poultry giant Charoen Pokphand Foods PLC (CPF) has launched a new plant-based range called MEAT ZERO. As Thailand’s largest agro-industrial food company, CPF has an ambitious goal of becoming the top alternative meat brand in Asia by 2022 and the top three in the world by 2026. Zero and zero meat ready-to-eat and ready-to-eat products will become available at 7-Eleven locations across Thailand.
7.India: Blue Tribe launches plant-based pork and chicken sausages
Indian food tech company Blue Tribe has launched the latest in its range – plant-based chicken and pork sausages. Both types are made with pea protein.
With the surge in demand, the number of plant-based products launched in India has increased rapidly. With research showing that the Indian population is more open to cell culture and plant-based meat compared to Western consumers, GFI India has been working with AAK Kamani to boost the country’s alternative protein industry.
8.Halal giant Al Islami launches first vegan product
UAE-based halal food producer Al Islami Foods, one of the largest frozen food companies in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), has announced the launch of its first plant-based product – a burger made with sunflower protein – in response to the growing growing demand. Healthier vegan alternatives in the UAE, and just in time for vegan food. The new burger patties are 100% vegan and made with organic sunflower protein, plant protein from fava beans and peas, and extracts from onion, bell pepper, garlic, celery root, carrot and beet juice. It’s preservative-free and, according to the company, is designed to appeal especially to meat-eaters in terms of taste and texture.
9.In response to more consumers cooking at home, Morningstar Farms expands its plant-based products to Australia
Morningstar Farms has launched its plant-based products in Australia as Australian consumers continue to spend more time cooking at home and opt to reduce their meat consumption by two to three times a week, according to Inside FMCG. Through research conducted by Morningstar Farms, it found that nearly half (49%) of consumers are introducing healthier meals at home in the next 12 months. The survey also found that 85% of people would be willing to cook a meatless meal if it was delicious, and 65% would do it if it was quick and easy in the kitchen.
10.HelloBurger, launched in Spain, claims to be the world’s smallest veggie burger
Hello Plant Foods, which specializes in 100 percent plant-based meat, is entering the Spanish market with the Hello Burger, which, according to the company, is “the world’s first all-plant-based burger made with minimal ingredients (there are only ten)”.
11.Planet Based Foods and KeHe partner to expand hemp meat
Planet Based Foods, which specializes in hemp-based meat products, announced that it has entered into a partnership with KeHe, one of North America’s largest distributors of natural and organic foods. Through the new partnership, KeHe will become the premier distributor for Planet Based Foods’ natural and specialty grocery channels. Six of the brand’s most popular products — The Original Burger, Green Chili Southwest Burger, Breakfast Sausage Patties (Hot & Mild), Original and Italian Sausage Cruble — will be available for $7.99 to $8.99 each.
12.Green Boy launches plant-based meat protein, aims to expand footprint in North America and Europe
Green Boy Group, based in Los Angeles and Amsterdam, announces the launch of Plant-Meat Protein™; a non-GMO plant-based protein powder developed as a “meat” grade that is said to enhance taste, enhance nutritional properties and expand the textural aspects of plant-based meat products . Designed to produce plant-based meats such as plant-based burgers, nuggets, sausages, while also producing organized plant-based protein (TPP) in the form of chips or pellets; Plant-Meat Protein™ has four different types of protein, Made from peas, mung beans, fava beans and chickpeas.
Peter van Dijken, co-founder of Green Boy Group, said: “Green Boy already supplies leading brands in the plant-based meat industry, and with Plant-Meat Protein™, we hope to expand our footprint in the North American and European markets and make it a market through our distribution channels, more accessible to food manufacturers focused on producing plant-based meat and looking for the next generation of plant-based protein.”
