DuPont Nutrition & Health shared insights today showing consumer attitudes toward plant-based meat alternatives reveal significant interest and market opportunity in the meat-free, meal solution segment. The shift toward plant-based eating in the United States is fueling the growing meat alternatives category. More than half (52%) of Americans report increasing their plant-based food and beverage intake, according to a 2017 Health Focus International study. A further 54% say including more plant in their diet makes them feel healthier.

“People are motivated to alter their diets to include more plant-based foods because they believe it will enhance their overall wellness, provide specific health benefits and help the environment,” says Mark Cornthwaite, marketing manager, DuPont Nutrition & Health. 

In fact, health was the main motivator for eating meat alternatives in a 2018 Markets and Markets Meat Alternative survey, where 96% of respondents said it was either important or very important. Overall health was followed by heart health (63%), illness prevention (60%), and a longer lifespan (59%). Social motivators, such as sustainability and the environment, while important, are secondary compared to health.

Minding the gaps

“With consumers embracing more plant-based foods, the meat alternatives category is really gaining momentum, and there’s lots of opportunity for growth,” said Cornthwaite. “But gaps still exist in the marketplace. Our research shows people see taste, texture and lack of variety in meat alternatives as barriers to eating more plant-based foods.”

In a 2019 MotiveQuest analysis of 3 million internet conversations focused on plant-based eating, taste and texture surfaced as key factors in enjoyment of meat alternative products, although they often did not meet expectations. People also talked about wanting more variety or options in the meat alternative space. 

DuPont Nutrition & Health is uniquely qualified to help food manufacturers fill these market gaps in taste, texture and variety in meat alternatives, because of its expansive ingredient portfolio and decades of development experience and research in plant-based proteins, specifically related to meat alternatives. 

DuPont experts can help brands achieve real meat-like taste and texture and create innovative formats. 

“What sets us apart is we can provide, for many plant-based meat alternative formats, the majority of the components needed to develop a product from plant proteins to hydrocolloids and antimicrobials to antioxidants and colors,” explaines Cornthwaite. “Consumers want really fantastic plant-based burgers, breakfast patties, fajitas, sausages, to name a few, and we can help our customers deliver that and more.”

For more plant-based meat alternative insights, infographics and video, visit www.plantbasedlifestyle.dupont.com.

For a complete listing of plant proteins and novel ingredient systems for binding/structure, sensory, shelf life and color, go to www.food.dupont.com/meat-alternatives.html.

About DuPont Nutrition & Health

DuPont Nutrition & Health, a DowDuPont Specialty Products Division business, combines in-depth knowledge of food and nutrition with current research and expert science to deliver unmatched value to the food, beverage, pharmaceutical and dietary supplement industries. We are innovative solvers, drawing on deep consumer insights and a broad product portfolio to help our customers turn challenges into high-value business opportunities. 

More information is available at www.dupontnutritionandhealth.com.

About DowDuPont Specialty Products Division

DowDuPont Specialty Products, a division of DowDuPont (NYSE: DWDP), is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials, ingredients and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, building and construction, health and wellness, food and worker safety. DowDuPont intends to separate the Specialty Products Division, which will be called DuPont, into an independent, publicly traded company. 

More information can be found at www.dow-dupont.com.