Spotlight: Plant-Based Foods News Highlights
Plant-based foods at Paris 2024. Panda Express brings back plant-based chicken due to consumer demand. Beyond Meat launches own protein. Launches from Bayou Best Foods, Ripple Foods, Juicy Marbles, Elmhurst 1925. And much more.
Brands in the news: Panda Restaurant Group, Beyond Meat, Bayou Best Foods, Ripple Foods, Juicy Marbles, Elmhurst® 1925, Refresco, Frías Nutrición S.A.U., revyve, Big Idea Ventures, MidnighTreats and many more.
Paris 2024 Will Be the Most Vegetarian-Friendly Olympics Ever
“When you think of French cuisine, “plant-based” probably isn’t the first adjective that comes to mind. Yet the motherland of beef bourguignon will host the most vegetarian-friendly Olympics to date, with at least 60% of the meals offered at concessions being meat-free, and more veggie options available to athletes at the Olympic Village than ever before.”
Do US fast-food customers want plant-based meat? Panda Express thinks so, but McDonald's has doubts
“Do Americans want plant-based options at fast-food restaurants? Two recent moves show restaurant chains are still undecided.
Panda Express says it is reintroducing plant-based chicken — which it developed with El Segundo, California-based Beyond Meat — at hundreds of U.S. stores. Beyond Orange Chicken will be available for a limited time, Panda Express said.”
Beyond Meat launches ‘first of its kind’ protein to appeal to health-conscious consumers
“Beyond Meat unveiled its latest product called Sun Sausage, the plant-based pioneer’s first offering that doesn’t replicate beef, pork or poultry. The company created the product as its own protein that can be incorporated into other foods.”
Bayou Best Foods Aims to Jump Start Plant-Based Seafood Sector
“While the U.S. alt-seafood market has been sluggish at best, Big Idea Ventures (BIV) has plans to change that. The agrifoodtech investor recently unveiled Bayou Best Foods, the newest entrant to the plant-based seafood sector.”
Vegan Brand Launches Plant-Based Protein Shakes for Kids
“Ripple Foods just launched “Shake Ups,” a new range of plant-based protein shakes for children and young people.The California-based vegan dairy company described its product as the “first and only” kids’ protein shake designed to tackle hunger with 13g of pea protein and 3g of fiber per 12 oz carton. They are currently available in either “Chocolotta” or “Viva Vanilla” flavors.”
Juicy Marbles launches plant-based ribs with edible bones
“Alternative meat company Juicy Marbles is launching a new Baby Ribs product. The debut follows a soft launch of a similar product which was sent to a limited number of consumers for testing in August 2023. Similar to its original plant-based product, the bones of the ribs are edible, made with soy protein and can be incorporated into different snacks and broths like jerky or stock for a soup.”
Elmhurst 1925 enters alt meat market with launch of ‘the world’s cleanest chicken alternative’
“Elmhurst 1925—best known for its clean label plant-based milks and creamers—is moving into the plant-based meat arena with a single-ingredient chicken alternative designed to disrupt the declining category. Elmhurst TerraMeat Plant-Based Chick’n—featuring 26g protein per serving—is an ambient product containing one ingredient: hemp protein.”
Refresco snaps up plant-based drinks group Frías Nutrición
“Dutch drinks group Refresco has acquired Spanish plant-based beverage maker Frías Nutrición from its private-equity owner.
Financial details were not disclosed. Frías produces private-label plant-based drinks, including almond, rice, hazelnut, and soy drinks, for several Spanish retailers. The group has a production facility located in Burgos, Spain and employs around 250 people.”
Emerging Vegan Brands See Value in Plant-Based Products
“The plant-based food market in 2023 was worth $8.1 billion, according to the Good Food Institute, and emerging franchises want to tap into the market potential.”
Mushrooms Grow as the Plant-Based Diet Increases for Substitutes
Revyve creates egg replacer for plant-based burgers
“Revyve, a food technology company founded in 2019, has created a yeast-based alternative egg replacement ingredient for plant-based burgers. The company develops texturizing ingredients formulated from upcycled brewer’s yeast.”