June Highlights from the plant-based and cultured-food sector: France and South Africa ban “meaty” names for plant-based foods

It’s been a turbulent time in the plant-based and cultured food sector as both France and South Africa announced bans on “meaty” names for plant-based foods in June. At the same time, nearly 50,000 people signed a ProVeg petition demanding that the European Commission include plant-based milks in the EU school fruit, vegetables and milk scheme. Plus, strides are being made in the alt-seafood sector. Find out all of this and more in this month’s highlights.

TRENDS & PROJECTIONS 

• Marketing data from Adimo has found that British plant-based brands have seen a 108% year-over-year uplift in engagement in Q1 of 2022 due to effective marketing activity.
• According to a survey by Euromonitor International 37% of consumers eat plant-based alternatives to ‘feel healthier.’ 
• A global report on microalgae predicts that the microalgae market is expected to record a CAGR of 10.3% from 2021 to 2028
• Representatives from The Vegetarian Butcher and Quorn have revealed why plant-based retail brands are expanding into the out-of-home sector. 
• According to a report by ProVeg International, flexitarians represent the biggest target segment in plant-based food retail.

RETAIL FOODS

• UK retailer Waitrose is partnering with plant-based cheesemonger La Fauxmagerie to distribute its new supermarket range of dairy-free cheeses. 
• Co-op Switzerland has partnered with Swiss startup Luya to offer upcycled meat alternative chunks in order to reduce food waste.
• The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority has ruled that an ad by UK retailer Tesco made unsubstantiated environmental claims about its plant-based range.
• Hangry Planet has opened a 100% Plant-Based Convenience Store in North America. 
• Aldi Switzerland has launched a plant-based tuna pizza from alternative seafood brand BettaF!sh.

FOODSERVICE CHAINS/CATERERS

• United Airlines has partnered with plant-based meat brand Impossible to offer more plant-based options on its flights. 
• London plant-based restaurant Temple Of Seitan has been nominated for UberEats’ Restaurant of the year.
• Mora Pizza has opened a plant-based pizzeria in Manhattan with Pleese Cheese’s melting dairy-free cheese.
• Hugh Jackman’s coffee brand Laughing Man Coffee has launched a plant-based cafe called Laughing V Cafe in NYC.

FOOD MANUFACTURERS

• The Lindt Vegan Classic was awarded as the Best Vegan Chocolate in the PETA Vegan Food Awards. 
• Chinese seasoning brand Weipa has launched a plant-based version of its soup stock.
• Cultured meat manufacturer SuperMeat has formed partnerships to carry out open-source research and help other cultured meat companies advance. 
• Birds Eye has developed battered fishless fillets using rice protein, expanding its plant-based Green Cuisine range. 
• Global brand Wicked Kitchen has launched a competition for its fans to win a year’s worth of its plant-based ice cream. 

INGREDIENTS SUPPLIERS/NEW TECHNOLOGIES 

• Jerusalem alt-protein company Mermade Seafoods is developing cultured scallops using circular aquaponics technology. 
• Indian alt-seafood startup SeaSpire produced whole-cut plant-based whitefish products using bioprinting technology.
• French ingredients specialist Roquette has launched its new Nutralys range of textured proteins made from pea and fava.
• Fora Foods’ aquafaba-based dairy-free ForA: Butter claims to act as a direct replacement for animal-based butter. 
• Singapore-based WhatIf Foods’ leading ingredient for its plant-based range is an African legume called the Bambara nut which boasts nutritional and environmental benefits.

ONES TO WATCH OUT FOR

• According to the incubators and accelerators, the future of food-tech innovation will see a focus on biotech, fermentation and cultured meat.
• Revo Foods, Jack & Bry, Plantish, Aqua Cultured Foods and Sea & Believe are using proprietary technology to create realistic plant-based seafood. 
• Berlin-based brand Veganz has partnered with Epap,a receipt and financial management app, to receive consumer insights and offer digitalised receipts.

STARTUP & FINANCIAL

• Indian plant-based dairy brand Alt Co. has secured $1 million in a funding round, with plans to expand its product portfolio.
• ProVeg Incubator has opened applications for its next cohort and is seeking startups that are developing egg, seafood, and chicken alternatives. 
• Austrian startup Revo Foods has received $2.3 million from the Austrian Research Promotion Agency to continue the development of 3D-printed seafood.
• Food tech startup SCiFi Foods, previously Artemys Foods, has raised $22 million in a Series A funding round. 
• French startup HappyVore has announced the opening of its own plant-based production site after raising €35 million. 
• Current Foods has closed an $18 million seed round with plans to expand in retail and the Japanese market.
• ProVeg Incubator alumnus Mushlabs has received millions in funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) to support its work using biotechnology. 

STAKEHOLDER INTERVENTIONS

• A report by ProVeg International has revealed the opportunities and challenges around transitioning to alternative protein production for farmers. 
• The Department of Agriculture in South Africa has banned the use of meat-related names for plant-based products. 
• France has become the first EU country to ban the use of “meaty” names on plant-based products.  
• The European Commission has approved a European Citizens’ Initiative (ICE) to shift subsidies from the livestock sector to the alt-protein sector. 
• CEO of one of Europe’s largest poultry producers Wiesenhof has called on the EU to allow for the sale of cultured meat. 
• The Social Market Foundation predicts that the advancement of alternative proteins in the UK will lag behind other countries due to underdeveloped strategies and policies.
• Oatly and ProVeg International have set up a petition to urge the EU to offer school children plant-based milk. 

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