Royal DSM has revealed its complete portfolio of integrated solutions for creating plant-based meat alternatives. The range – designed to enhance taste, texture and nutritional value of meat alternatives such as burgers, sausages and nuggets – features a collection of yeast extracts, process flavours, hydrocolloids and nutritional ingredients. The offering includes: High nucleotide yeast extracts, such as Maxarome Select, which help to mask the ‘beany’ off-flavours associated with plant-based proteins and create a rich umami taste; Multirome, which increases juiciness and creates a succulent, fatty mouthfeel and experience; the concentrated Maxavor flavour range to provide the desired meaty taste direction; and Gellaneer gellan gum, which enhances water-binding capacity for improved juiciness, while also building an authentic meaty texture and bite. The team at DSM aims to create a full portfolio that equips food producers with the tools needed to give consumers an authentic and nourishing meat alternative experience. Gilbert Verschelling, Director of Business Development & Innovation at DSM, said: “Delivering plant-based products that meet today’s evolving consumer demands is no easy task for food manufacturers. At DSM, we are uniquely positioned to help producers create truly enjoyable meat-alternative products that will tick all boxes for consumers.” He continued: “Our complete integrated portfolio of solutions for plant-based meat alternatives complements DSM’s wider plant-based offering, including its range of recently launched solutions for dairy alternatives”. #meatalternatives #plantbasedmeat #ingredients #plantbased #DSM

US meal kit firm Home Chef has collaborated with meat alternative company Impossible Foods to offer customers a range of plant-based meal options. As a result of the collaboration, Kroger subsidiary Home Chef will offer several recipes each week where customers can choose to exchange traditional meat products for Impossible Foods' Impossible Burger. The Impossible Burger, Impossible Foods' flagship meat alternative product, will be provided in a 12-ounce package of ground 'meat'. According to a statement from the company, Impossible Burger cooks, tastes, and sizzles in the same way as traditional ground beef, and thus can be easily substituted in any recipe that calls for ground beef from cows. The exchange option will be available as part of Home Chef's "Customise It" feature, which allows customers to tailor and adapt recipes to their own tastes or dietary requirements. The meal kit firm claims that this collaboration will allow it to keep up with the rising demand for plant-based meat alternatives options from consumers in the US. Pat Vihtelic, Home Chef's CEO and founder, said: "Variety and innovation have always been key parts of Home Chef. "With the launch of Impossible, we are providing our customers more ways to enjoy our weekly recipes and be on the forefront of the trend towards eating more plant-based foods." Dan Greene, SVP of US sales at Impossible Foods, added: "At Impossible Foods, we've long intended to make the Impossible Burger available anywhere that food is sold, including through meal kits. "We're thrilled to share that the Impossible Burger is now on the Home Chef menu, so that cooks everywhere can conveniently try out new recipes with our delicious meat made from plants."

Royal DSM has revealed its complete portfolio of integrated solutions for creating plant-based meat alternatives. The range – designed to enhance taste, texture and nutritional value of meat alternatives such as burgers, sausages and nuggets – features a collection of yeast extracts, process flavours, hydrocolloids and nutritional ingredients. The offering includes: High nucleotide yeast extracts, such as Maxarome Select, which help to mask the ‘beany’ off-flavours associated with plant-based proteins and create a rich umami taste; Multirome, which increases juiciness and creates a succulent, fatty mouthfeel and experience; the concentrated Maxavor flavour range to provide the desired meaty taste direction; and Gellaneer gellan gum, which enhances water-binding capacity for improved juiciness, while also building an authentic meaty texture and bite. The team at DSM aims to create a full portfolio that equips food producers with the tools needed to give consumers an authentic and nourishing meat alternative experience. Gilbert Verschelling, Director of Business Development & Innovation at DSM, said: “Delivering plant-based products that meet today’s evolving consumer demands is no easy task for food manufacturers. At DSM, we are uniquely positioned to help producers create truly enjoyable meat-alternative products that will tick all boxes for consumers." He continued: "Our complete integrated portfolio of solutions for plant-based meat alternatives complements DSM’s wider plant-based offering, including its range of recently launched solutions for dairy alternatives”.

Nestlé-owned Sweet Earth Foods has launched a new ‘first-of-its-kind’ plant-based burger infused with vegan bacon bits in the US. Sweet Earth’s Awesome Bacon Burger is based on the brand’s original non-GMO burger, which launched last year, and is made with textured pea protein. Described as smoky, the plant-based burger contains 26g of protein and is made with the addition of the brand’s plant-based Benevolent Bacon, which it claims contains 75% less fat than pork bacon. The new product will join Sweet Earth’s portfolio of plant-based meat options such as the recently launched pea protein-based sausages – the Green Chile Chedd’r and Chik’n Apple – and eight new frozen burritos and entrée bowls, which incorporate the brand’s plant-based Awesome Grounds or Mindful Chik’n. Buffalo Style Chik’n Burrito, made with Mindful Chik’n, carrots, celery and buffalo hot sauce. “We are so excited to announce the release of the Awesome Bacon Burger as the first-ever vegan bacon burger, proving eating plant-based can be just as delicious as it is nutritious,” said vice president of Sweet Earth Foods, Jessica Vasisht. She added: “The combination of the Awesome Burger and our award-winning Benevolent Bacon brings together two of our fan-favourite products into one delicious option that is perfect for summer grilling.” Sweet Earth’s Awesome Bacon Burger will be launching in stores this week across the US. #Nestlé #US #meatalternatives #SweetEarth #vegan

Nestlé-owned Sweet Earth Foods has launched a new ‘first-of-its-kind’ plant-based burger infused with vegan bacon bits in the US. Sweet Earth’s Awesome Bacon Burger is based on the brand’s original non-GMO burger, which launched last year, and is made with textured pea protein. Described as smoky, the plant-based burger contains 26g of protein and is made with the addition of the brand’s plant-based Benevolent Bacon, which it claims contains 75% less fat than pork bacon. The new product will join Sweet Earth’s portfolio of plant-based meat options such as the recently launched pea protein-based sausages – the Green Chile Chedd’r and Chik’n Apple – and eight new frozen burritos and entrée bowls, which incorporate the brand's plant-based Awesome Grounds or Mindful Chik'n. "We are so excited to announce the release of the Awesome Bacon Burger as the first-ever vegan bacon burger, proving eating plant-based can be just as delicious as it is nutritious," said vice president of Sweet Earth Foods, Jessica Vasisht. She added: "The combination of the Awesome Burger and our award-winning Benevolent Bacon brings together two of our fan-favourite products into one delicious option that is perfect for summer grilling." Sweet Earth’s Awesome Bacon Burger will be launching in stores this week across the US.

US-based vegan cheese brand Grounded Foods has raised $1.74 million in a seed funding round, led by Beyond Meat backer Stray Dog Capital. Grounded has created a range of ‘premium’ plant-based cheeses using fermented cauliflower and hemp seeds, that are free from nuts, soy, gluten and GMOs, as well as dairy. The company’s offering is said to be low cost, nutrient dense, with environmental benefits, and aims to make the vegan cheese category more accessible to consumers. Grounded is the latest addition to Stray Dog’s plant-based portfolio, which also includes names such as Beyond Meat, Meatless Farm, Miyoko’s Creamery, Hooray Foods and Good Planet Foods. Headquartered in Kansas, Stray Dog describes itself as a ‘mission-driven’ venture capital firm, specialising in early-stage companies that contribute towards creating a healthier, more humane and sustainable food system. Other investors in Grounded Foods’ latest financing round include Rocana Ventures, Veg Invest Trust and members of the GlassWall Syndicate. “There’s an enormous shift happening all over the world right now, as we reexamine our eating habits and uncover deep inefficiencies in the food supply chain,” said Grounded co-founder, Veronica Fil. “As a business founder, I want to be part of the solution. That’s why we’re delighted to partner with Stray Dog Capital, and an incredible mix of forward-thinking investors, and join them in their mission to build a more ethical and sustainable food system.” Johnny Ream, principal from Stray Dog Capital, added: “We are always looking for extraordinary players in the plant-based cheese category, and Grounded’s product and team exceeded our expectations in taste, creativity and strategy.” #GroundedFoods #StrayDogCapital #US

US-based vegan cheese brand Grounded Foods has raised $1.74 million in a seed funding round, led by Beyond Meat backer Stray Dog Capital. Grounded has created a range of ‘premium’ plant-based cheeses using fermented cauliflower and hemp seeds, that are free from nuts, soy, gluten and GMOs, as well as dairy. The company’s offering is said to be low cost, nutrient dense, with environmental benefits, and aims to make the vegan cheese category more accessible to consumers. Grounded is the latest addition to Stray Dog’s plant-based portfolio, which also includes names such as Beyond Meat, Meatless Farm, Miyoko's Creamery, Hooray Foods and Good Planet Foods. Headquartered in Kansas, Stray Dog describes itself as a ‘mission-driven’ venture capital firm, specialising in early-stage companies that contribute towards creating a healthier, more humane and sustainable food system. Other investors in Grounded Foods’ latest financing round include Rocana Ventures, Veg Invest Trust and members of the GlassWall Syndicate. “There's an enormous shift happening all over the world right now, as we reexamine our eating habits and uncover deep inefficiencies in the food supply chain,” said Grounded co-founder, Veronica Fil. “As a business founder, I want to be part of the solution. That's why we're delighted to partner with Stray Dog Capital, and an incredible mix of forward-thinking investors, and join them in their mission to build a more ethical and sustainable food system.” Johnny Ream, principal from Stray Dog Capital, added: “We are always looking for extraordinary players in the plant-based cheese category, and Grounded’s product and team exceeded our expectations in taste, creativity and strategy.”

Crafting a winning recipe for various plant-based meat products is complex when it comes to taste, texture, mouthfeel and nutritional value. Moreover, for health-conscious consumers who want to include plant-based meat alternatives as part of a healthy and nutritious diet, the fact that unfortified meat alternatives are typically lower in nutritional value and higher in sodium content than traditional meat could prove a stumbling block. DSM’s plant-based meat alternative solutions include: High nucleotide yeast extracts, such as Maxarome® Select, which help to mask the ‘beany’ off-flavours typically associated with plant-based proteins and create a rich umami taste; Multirome®, which increases juiciness and creates a succulent, fatty mouthfeel and experience; the concentrated Maxavor® flavour range to provide the desired meaty taste direction; and Gellaneer™ gellan gum, which enhances water-binding capacity for improved juiciness, while also building an authentic meaty texture and bite. For great-tasting products that also offer an appealing nutritional profile, DSM’s Quali® Vitamins and DSM Premix Solutions can be added to fill the gaps in the nutritional profile of plant-based products, while the Maxavor® RYE LS range can deliver a meaty flavour with reduced sodium to manage salt content. In addition, you’ll be fully supported by DSM’s global team of plant-based experts, who are equipped with industry expertise, insights and rigorous nutrition science to help you get the balance just right. In fact, wherever you are, you can count on a local DSM technical and application team to help you get to market faster. DSM’s combined ingredient capabilities in taste, texture and nutrition not only enable meat alternative producers to optimise the cost-performance ratio of their recipes, but also amplify front-of-pack claims thanks to DSM’s deep-rooted expertise in nutrition science. To find out more, click here. #meatalternatives #plantbasedmeat #ingredients #plantbased #DSM

DSM's integrated solutions improve the taste, texture and nutritional value of your meat alternatives DSM’s plant-based meat alternative solutions include: High nucleotide yeast extracts, such as Maxarome® Select, which help to mask the ‘beany’ off-flavours typically associated with plant-based proteins and create a rich umami taste; Multirome®, which increases juiciness and creates a succulent, fatty mouthfeel and experience; the concentrated Maxavor® flavour range to provide the desired meaty taste direction; and Gellaneer™ gellan gum, which enhances water-binding capacity for improved juiciness, while also building an authentic meaty texture and bite. For great-tasting products that also offer an appealing nutritional profile, DSM’s Quali® Vitamins and DSM Premix Solutions can be added to fill the gaps in the nutritional profile of plant-based products, while the Maxavor® RYE LS range can deliver a meaty flavour with reduced sodium to manage salt content. In addition, you'll be fully supported by DSM's global team of plant-based experts, who are equipped with industry expertise, insights and rigorous nutrition science to help you get the balance just right. In fact, wherever you are, you can count on a local DSM technical and application team to help you get to market faster. DSM’s combined ingredient capabilities in taste, texture and nutrition not only enable meat alternative producers to optimise the cost-performance ratio of their recipes, but also amplify front-of-pack claims thanks to DSM’s deep-rooted expertise in nutrition science. To find out more, click here.

Swedish plant-based food and beverage brand Oatly has sold a minority stake in its business to a group of investors for $200 million. Oatly says it will use the capital to fund its expansion in current markets, as well as new production plants and related jobs in Europe, the US and Asia. The round was led by investment firm Blackstone Growth, while additional celebrity investors include Oprah Winfrey, Natalie Portman and Roc Nation, an entertainment agency founded by Jay-Z. Former Starbucks chairman and CEO Howard Schultz, Orkila Capital and Rabobank’s investment arm also took part in the round. Following the transaction, the new investors will become minority shareholders and will join Oatly’s existing partners including Verlinvest-CR JV and the company’s founders. Founded in the 1990’s, Oatly’s products –including oat drinks, oatgurt and ice cream – are now available in more than 50,000 locations in 20 countries. The company’s overarching mission is to reduce the CO2e footprint of the food industry. For Oatly’s CEO Toni Petersson, this investment demonstrates a major step in funding sustainable, society-altering companies. He said: “Leaders in asset management like Blackstone play an essential role in order to create real sustainable change. It is my belief that capital has to turn green and do so for the right reasons. “Since we re-launched our brand in 2013, our focus has been to positively impact society by enabling people to change their lives with better, more environmentally responsible food choices, and in so doing, re-shape the food system to better contribute to the future of the planet. “Our new partners’ commitment to supporting us and furthering of our mission is a clear indication of where the world is heading, which is in a new, more sustainable direction.” Jon Korngold, global head of Blackstone Growth, said: “Oatly is a premier global brand whose product is committed to healthy and sustainable living with significant runway for continued growth to meet rising consumer demand. We are privileged to partner with Toni and the broader Oatly team to help the company extend its global leadership position in the years to come.” Most recently, Oatly partnered with Starbucks, marking its biggest partnership in Asia to date, enabling customers at all China Starbucks stores to customise their beverages with Oatly’s oat milk. #Oatly #Verlinvest #Sweden #BlackstoneGrowth #sustainability

Swedish plant-based food and beverage brand Oatly has sold a minority stake in its business to a group of investors for $200 million. Oatly says it will use the capital to fund its expansion in current markets, as well as new production plants and related jobs in Europe, the US and Asia. The round was led by investment firm Blackstone Growth, while additional celebrity investors include Oprah Winfrey, Natalie Portman and Roc Nation, an entertainment agency founded by Jay-Z. Former Starbucks chairman and CEO Howard Schultz, Orkila Capital and Rabobank’s investment arm also took part in the round. Following the transaction, the new investors will become minority shareholders and will join Oatly’s existing partners including Verlinvest-CR JV and the company’s founders. Founded in the 1990’s, Oatly’s products –including oat drinks, oatgurt and ice cream - are now available in more than 50,000 locations in 20 countries. The company’s overarching mission is to reduce the CO2e footprint of the food industry. For Oatly’s CEO Toni Petersson, this investment demonstrates a major step in funding sustainable, society-altering companies. He said: “Leaders in asset management like Blackstone play an essential role in order to create real sustainable change. It is my belief that capital has to turn green and do so for the right reasons. “Since we re-launched our brand in 2013, our focus has been to positively impact society by enabling people to change their lives with better, more environmentally responsible food choices, and in so doing, re-shape the food system to better contribute to the future of the planet. “Our new partners’ commitment to supporting us and furthering of our mission is a clear indication of where the world is heading, which is in a new, more sustainable direction.” Jon Korngold, global head of Blackstone Growth, said: “Oatly is a premier global brand whose product is committed to healthy and sustainable living with significant runway for continued growth to meet rising consumer demand. We are privileged to partner with Toni and the broader Oatly team to help the company extend its global leadership position in the years to come.” Most recently, Oatly partnered with Starbucks, marking its biggest partnership in Asia to date, enabling customers at all China Starbucks stores to customise their beverages with Oatly's oat milk.

Nestlé and Starbucks have unveiled the latest innovation from their global coffee alliance with the launch of non-dairy coffee creamers in the US. The launch builds on Starbucks’ entry into the refrigerated creamer category in July last year, and is in response to growing consumer interest in plant-based options. Starbucks Non-Dairy Creamers feature a blend of almond milk and oat milk and claim to offer a rich and smooth texture when paired with coffee. The line-up will be initially available in two flavours inspired by beverages served at Starbucks cafés: caramel and hazelnut. Starbucks Caramel Flavored Non-Dairy Creamer is made with caramel and hints of vanilla flavouring, inspired by its Caramel Macchiato. Meanwhile, the brand’s Hazelnut Flavored Non-Dairy Creamer is inspired by the Hazlenut Latte found at Starbucks Cafes. The plant-based options will join the current dairy creamer line up, which consists of caramel macchiato, white chocolate mocha, cinnamon dolce latte and toffeenut latte. In 2018, Nestlé paid $7.15 billion for exclusive rights to sell Starbucks’ line of packaged products with the first range of Starbucks-branded coffee products released last year. Most recently under the agreement, the companies launched a Cold Brew concentrate range, Starbucks Fresh Brew and three new coffee blends in K-Cup pods. Starbucks duo of non-dairy creamers will be available to purchase from August in grocery stores nationwide. #Nestlé #nondairy #Starbucks #US