Items Tagged with 'meat alternatives'

With refrigerated and frozen alternatives declining year over year, brands are doubling down on protein, certifications and sharper price points to win back shoppers. From steak bites and value burger six-packs to chickpea masala patties and mycelium plays, the category is regrouping for its next act.

Cultured animal products are moving beyond concept as companies refine production, secure approvals, and tackle cost barriers. Rising consumer interest in sustainable protein is accelerating the shift toward market-ready cultivated meat and seafood.

Impossible Foods’ plant-based beef and burgers are now NSF Certified for Sport — the first fresh or plant-based foods to receive the designation. The products deliver 19g of complete protein with less fat and no cholesterol, and will appear in NSF’s certified listings and app.

According to custom SPINS data developed for the Good Food Institute (GFI) and Plant Based Foods Association, annual combined retail sales of plant-based meat and seafood fell 12% to $1.2 billion in 2023.

Consumers increasingly are seeking plant-based alternatives to satisfy their taste preferences and desires to reduce their reliance on animal-derived products. In order for product makers to successfully fulfill these consumer demands, achieving authentic flavor profiles that evoke the essence of traditional protein has become both an art and a science.

"We created a product that we believe will unlock the plant-based category for the mainstream consumer,” said Tristan Maurel, CEO and co-founder. “SWAP Chicken's superior taste, clean ingredients and unrivaled product versatility finally enable chefs to recreate traditional recipes using only plant-based ingredients.”

The 100% plant-based BBQ Pork Piggy Bao combines the sweet and savory essence of traditional char siu bao with a modern, guilt-free twist.

Chunk Foods leverages fermentation for a new wave of cleaner, whole-muscle plant-based meats.

Chunk Foods creates plant-based whole cuts that rival traditional meats in taste and texture, offering consumers a versatile option for at-home preparation.

SWAP's 'Umisation' protein platform employs a technique to transform plant proteins into structured fibers without high heat or pressure. The approach uses just eight familiar ingredients and no artificial flavors, colorants, or texturizers.