Despite use of plant-based meat or dairy products being highest among those following vegan, vegetarian, or pescatarian diets, it's omnivores and flexitarians who make up the lion's share of consumers who eat these products due to their sheer numbers, reports market research firm Packaged Facts in the report Vegan, Vegetarian, and Flexitarian Consumers.

The investment round is being led by world-class foodTech investor PeakBridge VC, Malta, together with Arancia Group, a privately owned Mexico-based food ingredient/food service conglomerate, Minrav (the company’s largest investor) and additional private investors.

Modern Meat Inc., a plant-based meat manufacturer, announced the launch of its dairy alternative milk line featuring an Oat M*lk, Almond M*lk and Barista Edition Alternative M*lk. The ingredients used in the milks are all natural, vegan, and GMO free.

Maple Leaf Foods announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Greenleaf Foods, SPC, a leader in plant protein products, is advancing plans to increase tempeh production capacity through the acquisition and planned build-out of a food processing plant in Indianapolis.  

After infancy, approximately 65% of people have a reduced ability to digest lactose, a sugar found in many dairy products. Although milk and dairy products are a staple in many populations, increased awareness of lactose intolerance has led many people to reduce dairy consumption, avoid dairy altogether, consume plant-based dairy alternatives, and look for dairy products without lactose.

FiveStar Gourmet Foods partnered with Beyond Meat® to bring more salad protein choices to consumers. FiveStar introduced a new Simply Fresh Taco Salad made with Beyond Meat®, featuring plant-based beef crumbles from Beyond Meat, a leader in plant-based meat. The new 7.5oz complete salad debuted in Publix supermarkets.

Koita Foods announced that it has secured distribution for its premium, Italian, plant-based milk line in several grocery chains and independent grocers throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic.

Silk Kids Almondmilk Yogurt Alternative is designed with kids and parents in mind. The new yogurt alternative is fortified with calcium and Vitamin D to help support strong bones and has 25% less sugar per ounce than average flavored yogurt alternatives.

Prinova Europe has launched a range of premixes for dairy replacement products, to help manufacturers respond to what it describes as a plant-based “revolution.”