Natural Balance Foods has expanded its Trek range with the introduction of plant-based Power bars, as it seeks to capitalise on consumer demand for protein-filled treats. Containing 15g of plant-based protein, the new bars are available in two variants: Peanut Butter Crunch and Millionaire Shortbread. Trek’s new sweet treat-inspired offering is reportedly free from gluten, as well as artificial sweeteners. The vegan bars are coated in a natural alternative to chocolate and are designed to provide slow-release energy, according to Trek. “This was the next step for Trek, as research has found that nearly two thirds of consumers (63%) said recognising the ingredients that go into a product had some impact on their purchasing decisions,” said Trek senior brand manager, Georgina Crook. “Providing natural, plant-based energy has always been at the heart of what the Trek brand does, and we have seen a real opportunity to fill a gap in the sports nutrition market as there is not currently a bar in the top 50 of the category which simultaneously provides plant-based protein and contains no artificial sweeteners.” Trek Power bars are launching in the UK this month, with an RRP of £1.75, and will be available from retailers including Sainsbury’s and from November, Tesco. Earlier this year, Lotus Bakeries agreed to acquire the majority of the remaining stake in Natural Balance Foods, taking its ownership to 97.9%.

Alpro has unveiled a new five-year health and sustainability action plan, as well as plans to invest €30m in two of its production sites. The objectives laid out by the company, which is celebrating 40 years since its foundation, encompass measures to limit water use, reduce environmental impact and provide consumers with greater transparency. The report, titled ‘Feeding the Future With Plants’, includes the ambition to promote the transition to a circular economy with 100% recyclable Alpro packs (the company is currently at 76%). In addition, Alpro aims to introduce plant-based alternatives to yogurt in paper-based packaging. The plant-based producer also said that it would define clear action plans for a transition to regenerative agriculture, with a focus on biodiversity and water use, while reducing its water footprint per product by 60%. “The diets we have adopted are no longer sustainable for the planet, so we have to change the way we look at food production and consumption,” said Alpro general manager, Sue Garfitt. “Millions of people are more aware of the personal and environmental benefits of plant-based foods and our mission is to achieve a fundamental dietary shift to more plant-based eating by 2025. This new report translates this mission into concrete commitments.” Other objectives include bringing more diversity into the brand’s portfolio by using at least nine different plant-based ingredients, and applying transparent, easy-to-read front-of-pack nutrition labelling to 100% of Alpro products. Alpro said that its newly announced €30 million investment in its production facilities in Kettering, UK and Wevelgem, Belgium will support its ambitions for 2025. The UK site, which employs 200 people, will receive a significant proportion of the investment to develop a new high-speed packaging line to produce 75 million extra packs of soya, oat, rice and coconut drinks per year. According to Alpro, its products are regularly purchased by one in three UK households, and the investment reflects the rapidly growing demand for plant-based products. The brand recently expanded its Big Pot range in the UK with the addition of a 100% oat-based yogurt alternative. #Alpro #Belgium #Danone #UK

Alpro has unveiled a new five-year health and sustainability action plan, as well as plans to invest €30m in two of its production sites. The objectives laid out by the company, which is celebrating 40 years since its foundation, encompass measures to limit water use, reduce environmental impact and provide consumers with greater transparency. The report, titled ‘Feeding the Future With Plants’, includes the ambition to promote the transition to a circular economy with 100% recyclable Alpro packs (the company is currently at 76%). In addition, Alpro aims to introduce plant-based alternatives to yogurt in paper-based packaging. The plant-based producer also said that it would define clear action plans for a transition to regenerative agriculture, with a focus on biodiversity and water use, while reducing its water footprint per product by 60%. “The diets we have adopted are no longer sustainable for the planet, so we have to change the way we look at food production and consumption,” said Alpro general manager, Sue Garfitt. “Millions of people are more aware of the personal and environmental benefits of plant-based foods and our mission is to achieve a fundamental dietary shift to more plant-based eating by 2025. This new report translates this mission into concrete commitments.” Other objectives include bringing more diversity into the brand's portfolio by using at least nine different plant-based ingredients, and applying transparent, easy-to-read front-of-pack nutrition labelling to 100% of Alpro products. Alpro said that its newly announced €30 million investment in its production facilities in Kettering, UK and Wevelgem, Belgium will support its ambitions for 2025. The UK site, which employs 200 people, will receive a significant proportion of the investment to develop a new high-speed packaging line to produce 75 million extra packs of soya, oat, rice and coconut drinks per year. According to Alpro, its products are regularly purchased by one in three UK households, and the investment reflects the rapidly growing demand for plant-based products. The brand recently expanded its Big Pot range in the UK with the addition of a 100% oat-based yogurt alternative.

Kinnerton’s free-from chocolate brand Nomo is launching a vegan Caramel Filled Choc Bar in the UK. Nomo’s latest offering is made with a non-dairy alternative to milk chocolate and features a vegan caramel-flavoured centre. Free from dairy, gluten, egg and nuts, the bar is said to be made from sustainably sourced ingredients. Since Nomo launched in 2019, its portfolio has expanded, including with the recent launch of a nut-free ‘Hazelnot’ chocolate sharing bar. Caramel Filled Choc joins Creamy Choc, Caramel & Sea Salt and Fruit & Crunch variants in the brand’s range of individual-sized bars. “One of our aims at Nomo is to develop mainstream flavours that we know customers will love regardless of whether they are vegan or have a food allergy,” said Emma Perrett, senior innovation and brand manager of Kinnerton Confectionery. “We know caramel is a flavour that many vegan and free from consumers have been missing out on, so we are delighted that the Caramel Choc Bar will be available in Sainsbury’s from the end of September.” The bar will be available from Sainsbury’s from 28 September, and will then roll out to Tesco, Waitrose and Nomo’s online store in mid-October. #Nomo #freefrom #KinnertonConfectionery #UK #veganchocolate

Kinnerton’s free-from chocolate brand Nomo is launching a vegan Caramel Filled Choc Bar in the UK. Nomo’s latest offering is made with a non-dairy alternative to milk chocolate and features a vegan caramel-flavoured centre. Free from dairy, gluten, egg and nuts, the bar is said to be made from sustainably sourced ingredients. Since Nomo launched in 2019, its portfolio has expanded, including with the recent launch of a nut-free ‘Hazelnot’ chocolate sharing bar. Caramel Filled Choc joins Creamy Choc, Caramel & Sea Salt and Fruit & Crunch variants in the brand’s range of individual-sized bars. “One of our aims at Nomo is to develop mainstream flavours that we know customers will love regardless of whether they are vegan or have a food allergy,” said Emma Perrett, senior innovation and brand manager of Kinnerton Confectionery. “We know caramel is a flavour that many vegan and free from consumers have been missing out on, so we are delighted that the Caramel Choc Bar will be available in Sainsbury’s from the end of September.” The bar will be available from Sainsbury’s from 28 September, and will then roll out to Tesco, Waitrose and Nomo’s online store in mid-October.

US pizza maker American Flatbread has announced the launch of a new line of flash-frozen pizzas, Meatless Evolution, featuring vegan and vegetarian options. The company says that the new range is made with pea protein and provides consumers with a ‘healthy serving’ of both protein and fibre. Each pizza features homemade tomato sauce and fresh herbs, while hand-stretched dough made from 100% organic wheat is used to make the bases. The line offers two vegan options, featuring dairy-free mozzarella-style shreds: Vegan Pepperoni, topped with plant-based pepperoni; and Vegan Meat Lovers, with plant-based pepperoni and vegan sausage crumbles. The Meatless Evolution range also contains two vegetarian options: Plant-Based Pepperoni, featuring mozzarella, asiago and parmesan, as well as vegan pepperoni; and Plant-Based Supreme, with plant-based pepperoni, as well as broccoli, mushrooms, mozzarella, asiago and feta. Retailing at $8.99 per ten-inch pizza, the Meatless Evolution line is launching at select Harris Teeter locations, as well as on the brand’s website, in mid-September. The pizzas will also be available to purchase via American Flatbread’s Amazon storefront page starting in October. #AmericanFlatbread #US

US pizza maker American Flatbread has announced the launch of a new line of flash-frozen pizzas, Meatless Evolution, featuring vegan and vegetarian options. The company says that the new range is made with pea protein and provides consumers with a ‘healthy serving’ of both protein and fibre. Each pizza features homemade tomato sauce and fresh herbs, while hand-stretched dough made from 100% organic wheat is used to make the bases. The line offers two vegan options, featuring dairy-free mozzarella-style shreds: Vegan Pepperoni, topped with plant-based pepperoni; and Vegan Meat Lovers, with plant-based pepperoni and vegan sausage crumbles. The Meatless Evolution range also contains two vegetarian options: Plant-Based Pepperoni, featuring mozzarella, asiago and parmesan, as well as vegan pepperoni; and Plant-Based Supreme, with plant-based pepperoni, as well as broccoli, mushrooms, mozzarella, asiago and feta. Retailing at $8.99 per ten-inch pizza, the Meatless Evolution line is launching at select Harris Teeter locations, as well as on the brand's website, in mid-September. The pizzas will also be available to purchase via American Flatbread's Amazon storefront page starting in October.

Protein Industries Canada has announced that it is investing CAD 7.4 million ($5.6 million approx.) into a new platform aimed at increasing the efficiency of farmer decision making. A further CAD 13.6 million ($10.3 million approx.) is being provided by digital agriculture solutions companies Farmers Edge and OPIsystems, who are leading the project. Farmers Edge and OPIsystems are capturing farm-level data related to crop and storage health management. This data will be used to develop predictive models that use artificial intelligence and machine learning to help farmers enhance production practices, make better storage and marketing decisions, and therefore increase return on investment. Following the completion of the initial phase, Farmers Edge and OPIsystems will partner with the Standards Council of Canada to improve traceability along the plant protein value chain. The partners will use a comprehensive digital platform – which leverages the data captured on farms – to show consumers and commercial customers how the products they’re buying were produced and managed. When completed, the final products from both phases of the project are expected to provide full traceability along the entire plant protein value chain. “The markets this platform could open for the plant protein sector is incredible to think about,” said Protein Industries Canada CEO, Bill Greuel. “From a single sign in, our buyers will be able to access all of the compliance information they need related to the plant protein commodities they’re buying. And our consumers can check in to rest assured the food they’re eating was produced in the manner they value most.” Farmers Edge CEO and co-founder, Wade Barnes, added: “We’re excited to work with OPIsystems, the federal government and Protein Industries Canada on this important project. “The expertise OPIsystems brings in remote grain monitoring combined with our robust data sets, comprehensive platform and AI-driven technologies will forever transform the plant proteins sector, ensuring high-quality crop production and complete traceability from field to market. “The value of data is priceless for growers and consumers alike; growers will be able to share verified crop records with a simple click, opening doors to new market opportunities, and consumers will gain transparency on the origin of their food, enhancing their level of trust with farms across Canada.” Protein Industries Canada is a not-for-profit organisation created to help position Canada as a global source of high-quality plant protein. Together with its industry partners, it has invested more than CAD 163 million ($123.9 million approx.) into projects that will advance Canada’s plant protein sector. #Canada #plantprotein #OPIsystems #FarmersEdge #ProteinIndustriesCanada

Protein Industries Canada has announced that it is investing CAD 7.4 million ($5.6 million approx.) into a new platform aimed at increasing the efficiency of farmer decision making. A further CAD 13.6 million ($10.3 million approx.) is being provided by digital agriculture solutions companies Farmers Edge and OPIsystems, who are leading the project. Farmers Edge and OPIsystems are capturing farm-level data related to crop and storage health management. This data will be used to develop predictive models that use artificial intelligence and machine learning to help farmers enhance production practices, make better storage and marketing decisions, and therefore increase return on investment. Following the completion of the initial phase, Farmers Edge and OPIsystems will partner with the Standards Council of Canada to improve traceability along the plant protein value chain. The partners will use a comprehensive digital platform – which leverages the data captured on farms – to show consumers and commercial customers how the products they're buying were produced and managed. When completed, the final products from both phases of the project are expected to provide full traceability along the entire plant protein value chain. “The markets this platform could open for the plant protein sector is incredible to think about,” said Protein Industries Canada CEO, Bill Greuel. “From a single sign in, our buyers will be able to access all of the compliance information they need related to the plant protein commodities they’re buying. And our consumers can check in to rest assured the food they're eating was produced in the manner they value most.” Farmers Edge CEO and co-founder, Wade Barnes, added: “We're excited to work with OPIsystems, the federal government and Protein Industries Canada on this important project. "The expertise OPIsystems brings in remote grain monitoring combined with our robust data sets, comprehensive platform and AI-driven technologies will forever transform the plant proteins sector, ensuring high-quality crop production and complete traceability from field to market. “The value of data is priceless for growers and consumers alike; growers will be able to share verified crop records with a simple click, opening doors to new market opportunities, and consumers will gain transparency on the origin of their food, enhancing their level of trust with farms across Canada.” Protein Industries Canada is a not-for-profit organisation created to help position Canada as a global source of high-quality plant protein. Together with its industry partners, it has invested more than CAD 163 million ($123.9 million approx.) into projects that will advance Canada's plant protein sector.

Phytolon has raised $4.1 million in funding to commercialise its fermentation-based technology for the production of food colours. The Israel-based company was founded in 2018 following a collaboration between The Trendlines Group and the Weizmann Institute of Science. Phytolon claims that the use of natural food colours – in growing demand – has presented a ‘huge challenge’ for the food industry, due to the lack of reliable alternatives to synthetics. The company uses a proprietary, fermentation-based technology to produce ‘high-quality’ plant-based food colours. “This round will enable us to reach the market with our healthy and sustainable food colours that offer a high-quality and cost-efficient solution to the food industry,” said Phytolon CEO, Dr. Halim Jubran. “The new round will also promote our collaborations with our potential clients, with whom we have been in communications during the past year and a half.” Among the participants in the round were European food innovation initiative, EIT Food, and Millennium Food-Tech, a new R&D partnership dedicated to investing in food-tech companies. Chanan Schneider, CEO of Millennium Food-Tech, said: “It is clear to us that consumers are looking for products with more natural and healthier ingredients and are even willing to pay a premium for them. Phytolon brings a patented solution, perfect for the food colour sector, and has garnered a lot of interest in its technology and products.” Consensus Business Group, The Trendlines Group, former Elbit Systems CEO Yossi Ackerman, and the Israel Innovation Authority also backed Phytolon’s latest financing push. “We are extremely pleased that the company, managed by Dr. Halim Jubran, secured this over-subscribed round in the mist of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Trendlines Incubators Israel CEO, Barak Singer. “We look forward to the commercialisation of its technology to provide healthier, more ecological and cost-effective colouring to the food technology market.” #fermentation #Israel #Phytolon #TheTrendlinesGroup

Brightseed, the developer of an AI-powered phytonutrient discovery solution, has raised $27 million in a funding round led by Lewis & Clark AgriFood. Founded in 2017, Brightseed has developed Forager, an AI solution that can reportedly search for undiscovered compounds in plants which provide proven health benefits, as well as searching for new benefits in existing plant-based products and ingredients. In humans, phytonutrients such as lycopene and resveratrol support health by boosting anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective and neuroprotective activities. Brightseed claims that this latest investment follows Forager’s “discovery of a powerful phytonutrient” with the potential to support metabolic health, helping those at risk of metabolic diseases such as diabetes, liver diseases and weight management issues. This new financing round means Brightseed has now raised $52 million in total funding, after factoring in the $25 million raised in previous a funding round led by Seed 2 Growth Ventures, Horizons Ventures, CGC Ventures, Fifty Years, Germin8 Ventures, and AgFunder. Brightseed has partnered with a number of major food companiesto trial the Forager platform. This includes a multi-phased partnership with Danone North America to find previously unknown health benefits of plant-based ingredients in Danone’s consumer products portfolio. David Russell of Lewis & Clark AgriFood and Elaine Leavenworth, former SVP, and chief marketing and external affairs officer at Abbott, will join Brightseed’s board of directors. Jim Flatt, Brightseed co-founder and CEO, said: “We’re thrilled to work with visionary partners to accelerate innovation in food, health, and wellness. “We’re in an unprecedented public health crisis, and people are looking for plant-based products that will contribute to a healthier life. With millions of phytonutrients hidden in plants, it’s crucial that we discover these compounds and understand how they help us. “Much like mapping the human genome opened up a new era for medicine, using Forager AI to map the connections between plants and people is one of the most exciting new frontiers of science.” Elaine Leavenworth, added: “Brightseed’s Forager AI is leading the search for natural phytonutrients that will provide dramatic health benefits. “Given today’s health crises this has even greater urgency. Brightseed has the strong support of their investors and advisors as they move forward on this path.” #AI #Brightseed #ingredients #phytonutrients

Phytolon has raised $4.1 million in funding to commercialise its fermentation-based technology for the production of food colours. The Israel-based company was founded in 2018 following a collaboration between The Trendlines Group and the Weizmann Institute of Science. Phytolon claims that the use of natural food colours – in growing demand – has presented a ‘huge challenge’ for the food industry, due to the lack of reliable alternatives to synthetics. The company uses a proprietary, fermentation-based technology to produce ‘high-quality’ plant-based food colours. “This round will enable us to reach the market with our healthy and sustainable food colours that offer a high-quality and cost-efficient solution to the food industry,” said Phytolon CEO, Dr. Halim Jubran. “The new round will also promote our collaborations with our potential clients, with whom we have been in communications during the past year and a half.” Among the participants in the round were European food innovation initiative, EIT Food, and Millennium Food-Tech, a new R&D partnership dedicated to investing in food-tech companies. Chanan Schneider, CEO of Millennium Food-Tech, said: “It is clear to us that consumers are looking for products with more natural and healthier ingredients and are even willing to pay a premium for them. Phytolon brings a patented solution, perfect for the food colour sector, and has garnered a lot of interest in its technology and products.” Consensus Business Group, The Trendlines Group, former Elbit Systems CEO Yossi Ackerman, and the Israel Innovation Authority also backed Phytolon’s latest financing push. "We are extremely pleased that the company, managed by Dr. Halim Jubran, secured this over-subscribed round in the mist of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Trendlines Incubators Israel CEO, Barak Singer. “We look forward to the commercialisation of its technology to provide healthier, more ecological and cost-effective colouring to the food technology market."