Givaudan has announced it has expanded its flagship Zurich Innovation Centre (ZIC) in Switzerland with a brand-new protein hub. With the hub, Givaudan aims to accelerate the development of alternative proteins, leveraging its knowledge in tastes, textures, colours, proteins and ingredients. The new extension is equipped with a state-of-the-art development kitchen and a pilot plant that contains a high-moisture extrusion machine. The protein hub will provide customers with the ability to work on all types of applications, across the entire product development process – from initial ideas to prototyping products. The aim is to get products to market quickly. Fabio Campanile, global head of science, technology, taste and wellbeing at Givaudan, commented: “Creating delicious alternatives for meat, fish or dairy – from plant-based to fermented products – comes with a unique set of challenges and requires a holistic approach. At the same time, we realise that no one company can do this alone”. He continued: “We need to work together to address challenges, accelerate innovation and shape the future of food. The protein hub provides the ideal environment to make that happen”. The opening of the ZIC protein hub follows the launch of Givaudan’s APAC Protein Innovation Centre in Singapore in April 2021. #Researchanddevelopment #Givaudan #plantbased #alternativeproteins #Switzerland

Multi-protein business Hilton Food Group has agreed to acquire the remaining 50% of its joint venture partner Dalco Food. Based in Oss, the Netherlands, Dalco Food is a manufacturer of vegan and vegetarian products. The company offers product development and co-creation services, and supplies protein products to the retail and foodservice channels, and the wider food industry. Hilton became a 50% shareholder in Dalco in 2019 and aims to strengthen its position in the plant-based and vegetarian market through its acquisition of the remaining 50% stake in the business. UK-headquartered Hilton is looking both to further diversify and to strengthen its protein offering within this fast-growing market, and the agreement will see the company commit ongoing investment to expand Dalco’s capacity and portfolio, and to develop new plant-based products. “This is the next natural step in our ambitions to broaden and diversify Hilton’s multi-protein offer,” said Hilton CEO, Philip Heffer. “The completion of this transaction will further strengthen Hilton’s position within the vegan and vegetarian market, at a time when our customers are increasingly seeking out innovative, high-quality vegetarian products at scale.” Marian Wagemakers, CEO of Dalco, added: “Hilton has been a supportive joint venture partner of Dalco, and we are pleased to now become a full part of the Hilton Food Group”. “This transaction will enable continued investment in the business and it will underpin the next stage of Dalco’s growth. As a management team, we look forward to achieving further growth with this business and being part of its continued success.” Completion of the transaction is subject to approval by the Dutch competition authority. The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. #meatalternatives #HiltonFoodGroup #theNetherlands #DalcoFood #plantbased

Oumph has launched its plant-based version of döner kebab meat, Oumph Kebab Döner Style, in Iceland stores across the UK. The new product is made from pea protein and shaved like traditional kebab meat. It is also 100% plant-based and gluten-free. Domenico Speciale, general manager UK at Livekindly Collective, said: “We are proud to share the newest plant-based innovation from Oumph with all fast-food lovers in the UK”. He continued: “When I first tasted it, I could not tell it apart from kebab meat. It truly delivers on the taste and texture of your favourite döner. It’s so easy to cook that we know consumers will love the opportunity to enjoy a plant-based version of their takeaway favourite at home”. Oumph Kebab Döner Style is available nationwide in Iceland and The Food Warehouse at a recommended retail price of £3 per 280g bag. The product will be released in other retailers across the UK soon. #LivekindlyCollective #meatalternatives #Oumph #plantbased

Plant-based beverage company Elmhurst 1925 has announced the launch of its new product, OatNog, as well as two seasonal creamers for the holiday season. The company is re-releasing its pumpkin spice seasonal creamer, and also introducing a new flavour: caramel macchiato. These will join the core oat creamers – available in unsweetened, hazelnut, French vanilla and chai spice. With an SRP of $5.99, each creamer contains 1g of sugar and less than 20 calories. Elmhurst 1925 has also unveiled its brand-new OatNog drink, which is made up of six ingredients including a blend of cashew milk, oat milk and warm spices. The plant-based drink has no cholesterol or saturated fats. Heba Mahmoud, senior director of brand marketing at Elmhurst, said: “Our OatNog and seasonal creamers are flavour-packed, never-diluted, plant-based options with minimal sugar that are guaranteed to create a delicious and creamy treat every time. Even the most passionate dairy lovers are shocked by how indulgent and delectable these products are, all while remaining plant-based and dairy-free”. The new products are crafted through a HydroRelease method. Using just water, this process separates the components of a nut, grain or seed before combining them to create a beverage-ready mixture. The process upcycles waste into renewable energy and is powered by 100% hydroelectric power. The seasonal releases are available now on the Elmhurst website but will also be rolled out in stores throughout September. #coffeecreamers #Elmhurst1925 #plantbased

Bells of Lazonby has expanded its Bells & Whistles range with the introduction of new vegan Espresso Tiffin slices. Containing just 120 calories per slice, the tiffin features a layered blend of nuts, coffee and rich chocolate. Available in packs of two, the new offering is gluten-, wheat- and milk-free. Josh Boydell-Smith, head of brand and marketing at Bells of Lazonby, said: “The new flavour is delicious and perfect for shoppers looking for on-the-go, free-from snacks. “With the trend around veganism and the rise of flexitarians going nowhere among millennials, we know shoppers are looking for ways to make their diet more plant-based. Bells & Whistles provides a treat alternative without the guilt of breaking from a vegan diet”. He added: “Free-from bakery can often feel quite stuffy. We believe our brand really re-energises the category by tapping into quality ingredients, thinking outside of the box in terms of flavour and offering something a bit more out of the ordinary – a permissively indulgent snack”. With an RRP of £2, Bells & Whistles Espresso Tiffin is available from Sainsbury’s stores across the UK. #BellsofLazonby #UK

Food tech company Plantible Foods has closed a $21.5 million Series A funding round, as it prepares to commercialise its duckweed-derived protein. Founded in 2018, Plantible has developed a vertically integrated agricultural platform to produce plant-based protein from Lemna, more commonly known as duckweed. The company says that its Rubi Protein emulates the functional characteristics of widely used animal-based proteins. In addition, Plantible claims that Lemna is considered to be one of the most protein-efficient crops in the world, reportedly yielding ten times more protein per acre than soy. According to Plantible, Lemna allows for a consistent daily harvest throughout the year, as grown in a controlled environment, it doubles in mass every 48 hours. The round was led by Astanor Ventures, with participation from returning investors such as Unshackled Ventures, Vectr Ventures, Lerer Hippeau and Kellogg’s venture capital fund, Eighteen94 capital. Other investors in the round included Piva Capital, CJ CheilJedang, Good Friends and Google SVP of product Bradley Horowitz, as well as Trevor Martin and Chris Bryson, founders of Mammoth Biosciences and Unata, respectively. Over the past year, Plantible has built out a small pilot plant, and the company now plans to use the Series A funds to construct its first commercial facility to launch and commercialise its product in 2022. “Plantible is not competing with other plant proteins, our goal is to remove chickens and cows from the food supply system,” said Plantible Foods CEO Tony Martens, who co-founded the company with Maurits van de Ven. “Currently available plant proteins don’t pull their weight when it comes to competing with animal-based products on taste and nutrition. “By combining plant science, biochemistry and engineering, we are able to create drop-in replacements for these widely used animal-derived proteins without forcing consumers to sacrifice on either taste or nutrition, paving the way for an accelerated transition towards a healthier planet.” Christina Ulardic, partner at Astanor Ventures, said: “Beyond the transition away from animal-based protein, the diversification of plant-based protein sources is fundamental to ensuring that the agri-food system will not depend on a set of monocultures”. “From camping on the farm to the speed at which they have met each milestone since the last funding round, we are continuously impressed by Maurits and Tony’s exceptional personal dedication to their mission.” Bennett Cohen, partner at Piva Capital, added: “Tony and Maurits have tenaciously pursued a unique approach to Lemna cultivation and RuBisCO extraction, producing a plant-based protein that is more affordable, better functioning and more planet-positive than any other protein source”. #AstanorVentures #US #Kellogg #PlantibleFoods #plantprotein

Scotland-based Baxters Food Group has expanded its plant-based soup portfolio with the introduction of three additional flavours. The new vegan offerings can be enjoyed as an easy midweek dinner or quick lunch and contain one of consumers’ recommended five daily servings of fruit and vegetables in every bowl. The new Baxters soups include: Sundried Tomato & Thyme; Spiced Red Lentil, which combines lentils with warming spices and ‘tangy’ tomatoes; and Thai Yellow Vegetable Curry, which is said to be “peppered with fragrant spices and aromas”. Sarah Knowles, marketing communications manager at Baxters Food Group, said: “Our Plant Based range has been one of our most successful launches to date and Baxters is delighted to have developed three new vegan soups that we’re proud to add to shelves as part of our Plant Based line-up”. “Baxters’ development chef, Darren Sivewright, has created an incredible flavour profile with an array of spices, nutrients, plus a satisfying texture that will not disappoint.” The new soups are available in Asda and Sainsbury’s stores across the UK. #BaxtersFoodGroup #plantbasedsoup #UK

Kitu Life is introducing a new plant-based creamer for its Super Coffee brand as part of its limited-edition seasonal line Maple Pumpkin. The line features ready-to-drink Super Coffee and Super Pods, which were first launched in autumn 2020, and a brand new plant-based Super Creamer. The range will be available online from 14 September and is currently available at retailers nationwide, including Target and Kroger. The Maple Pumpkin line features a combination of sweet and creamy maple pumpkin, protein, antioxidants and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) oil for focus and clarity. Super Creamer is available for $19.99 per three-pack, while the ready-to-drink Super Coffee is available for $33.99 per 12-pack and the Super Pods is available for $9.99 In April, Kitu Life unveiled a blueberry latte variant for Super Coffee. #KituLife #plantbased #SuperCoffee #supercreamer

The popularity surrounding plant-forward nutrition is here to stay. Consumers are more conscious about what they eat and drink, and many are uncompromising in their pursuit of wellbeing. As a result, awareness and interest in plant-based protein is growing – whether it is being driven by personal health motivations and goals, or concerns with animal welfare and environmental issues. With 42% of US consumers now leaning towards a flexitarian lifestyle, plant proteins stand as an attractive option for consumers who seek alternatives and want it all (research from ADM Outside Voice). With the rise of the plant-centric diet, there is a growing demand for products that deliver nutrition without sacrificing taste, texture and variety. ADM, an industry leader in plant nutrition for over 75 years, has created NutriFlex™, a portfolio designed to provide innovative formats of alternative protein solutions for every customer, no matter their manufacturing or production capabilities. With certain new nutritionally fortified plant protein powdered blends, value-added texture and functional systems, and finished culinary crafted plant-based solutions, the NutriFlex™ platform delivers speed to market with on-trend plant nutrition solutions, simplifying supply chain and production complexities along the way. The NutriFlex™ integrated system prioritises nutrition, functionality, format and taste. Discover how ADM’s proven applications and case studies can help you shape what’s next to achieve future success in this evolving category. Partner with ADM today and deliver consumer-preferred plant-forward solutions. #ADM #Flexitarian #nutrition #partnercontent

Little Moons, the popular Mochi brand, is launching a brand-new vegan Belgian chocolate and hazelnut flavour to add to its range. The London-based brand is introducing its signature gelato ice cream in chocolate with caramelized hazelnut chunks throughout. Free from artificial flavourings, colours and preservatives, this will be the third addition to its vegan range. Howard Wong, Co-founder of Little Moons, stated: “Our goal was to create a rich and indulgent flavour that tastes so good you wouldn’t know it’s vegan, and judging from the reaction we’ve had from everyone who’s tried our brand new Belgian Chocolate & Hazelnut Little Moons we’re confident we’ve cracked it!” There is 14 flavours to choose from, including Vegan Tropical Passionfruit and Mango, Himalayan Salted Caramel, Creamy Coconut and Uji Matcha Green Tea. This particular flavour will be available exclusively in Tesco for six weeks before being rolled out nationwide with an RRP of £4.50 per pack. #LittleMoons #mochi #Mochiicecream

California-based dairy alternative company Misha’s Kind Foods has announced that it has closed a $3 million seed fund in collaboration with Marcy Ventures Partners Fund. The company, founded in 2018 by Ian Martin and Aaron Bullock, stated it will use the investment to accelerate their product development, retail expansion and staff growth. With the plant-based dairy free market set to hit $45 billion by 2027, Misha’s Kind Foods aims to strengthen its position in the plant-based and dairy free industry sector. CEO and co-founder of Misha’s Kind Foods, Bullock, said: “These investors, and their enthusiasm, not only confirm the quality and excellence of our artisan cheeses, but they also align with our long-term vision and mission”. He continued: “We are here to serve the large community of cheese lovers, plant-based and not. Everything we make is kind to your body, kind to the planet and kind to your wallet”. The company’s 100% vegan cheeses are made from its own creation of cashew and almond milk and blended with an assortment of vegetables, herbs and spices. They are also lactose and gluten free. #dairyfreecheese #MishasKindFoods #US #vegan

Sustainable snacks company Barnana has announced the introduction of its new Organic Plantain Crisps. The line includes two flavours: sea salt, with organic coconut oil and sea salt; and garlic, which also features organic garlic. According to Barnana, its chips are savoury because they are made from green plantains – ‘which are rich in resistant starch that has not yet converted to sugar’. Both of the brand’s new varieties contain 0g of sugar per serving. The new crisps are also said to be paleo-friendly and free from gluten and grains. “Plantains are an incredibly versatile fruit, used in countless ways globally,” said Barnana founder, Caue Suplicy. “Our new Organic Plantain Crisps are a savoury, crispy, layered chip perfect for Americans who love potato chips but seek something new that’s made from ingredients that are better for you and better for the planet.” With an SRP of $4.99 per 4oz pack, Barnana’s Organic Plantain Crisps can be purchased via Amazon and the brand’s website, and will also roll out to retailers including Whole Foods Market in mid-September. #Barnana #US