Interviews

South Korea’s leading cultivated meat company, Simple Planet, says it thrives on “leading the cell-based foods industry by reshaping food production platforms for the next generations”. Founded in 2022, the company has developed specialized cell lines from beef, pork, seafood, and chicken, and focuses on induced pluripotent stem cells “as an unlimited cell source for cell-based foods”. Simple Planet’s products include a high protein cultivated meat powder, animal fat paste, and customizable raw materials. After raising $6 million in an oversubscribed pre-series A round this February, Simple Planet was selected to participate in an ₩11 billion national project launched by South Korea’s government to expand the food tech industry, with plans to produce a cultivated fish cake.  We caught up with co-founder & CEO Dominic …

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Brazil’s Concepta Ingredients is part of the Sabará Group and specialises in natural and technological solutions developed in accordance with the Bio Abundance Program. Based on innovation and research, the company offers organic and conventional ingredients, with a portfolio of technological inputs from international partners and ingredients from biodiversity to meet the most specific demands of the industries in which it operates. Concepta Ingredients’ new factory, located in Valinhos, in the interior of São Paulo, is strategically located in a region with a strong logistics structure (motorways and airports) and occupies an area of 7,800m², combining the latest in industrial technology, from production to quality control. André Tomazelli Sabará has worked at holding Sabará Group for 16 years and currently holds the position of ESG, …

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Juicy Marbles produces luxury plant-based whole cuts, including the “world’s first marbled plant-based steak” and, most recently, its bone-in baby ribs. These were officially made available to consumers today after limited releases in the UK, EU, and US markets last year. Founded by a team of food scientists and culinary experts, the company utilizes proprietary technology to replicate the texture, taste, and appearance of premium cuts of meat. It uses high-moisture extrusion and plant protein structuring to create realistic marbling and juicy texture. Vladimir Mićković, co-founder and chief brand officer at Juicy Marbles, spoke to vegconomist about the brand’s recent advancements, market reach, and future outlook for the plant-based meat industry. What has Juicy Marbles been busy with over the last year or so, what …

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Daring Foods is the #1 unbreaded plant chicken brand in both the natural and multi-outlet grocery sectors, holding 44.9% market share in the US, according to SPINS. The company focuses on whole-muscle plant-based chicken products, including wings, pieces, and a range of frozen entrees. Daring Foods products are currently available in over 15,000 doors across the US at retailers such as Walmart, Target, Albertsons, Whole Foods, Sprouts, and many more. Jeff Gendelman took over as CEO in April of this year, transitioning from his role as COO. In this interview, Jeff explores Daring’s impressive growth in 2023, driven by new product launches and strategic pricing. He also discusses the company’s approach to supply chain management, key partnerships, and goals for 2024. When you transitioned from COO to CEO in …

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Canada’s Seed to Surf is unique in its offering of tinned fish created from whole vegetables and fungi to create a “fresh reinterpretation of seafood that highlights the incredible potential of plants”. While the brand is recreating the traditional seafood experience with these products, Seed to Surf stresses that these are not replicas but, rather, an “homage to vegetables and their incredible capacity to take on taste and texture. By preserving and preparing them just right, we found vegetables can remind us of the seafood classics we love (or loved)”. These unusual, original canned products are firm consumer favourites, so we had to catch up with co-founder Alex Bergquist, still celebrating the brand’s recent listing at over 150 Whole Foods Market locations in North America, to …

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How can alternative protein sources be given a greater role in the market? How can companies involved in plant-based, fermented, or cultivated products be supported? The Federal Association for Alternative Protein Sources (BALPro), which was founded five years ago, is an organisation that aims to do just that. It aims to promote dialogue between stakeholders from science, business, politics, and society. The association, which was founded in March 2019, now has around 130 members. Many well-known names are involved: Lidl and Rewe are among them, as are Danone, Dr Oetker and Burger King, as well as Rügenwalder, Iglo and the Müller Group. But not only the food industry is represented. Machine manufacturers, raw material traders, biotech firms and marketing companies are also involved. Startups, interest …

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Plant-Based Foods of Canada (PBFC) is a Canadian industry association focused on promoting the growth and awareness of plant-based foods in the country, acting as a collective voice for companies that produce and sell plant-based food products. The association works to raise public awareness about the benefits and options available in plant-based foods and advocates for policies and regulations that support their development and accessibility in Canada. Notable members of the PBFC include Daiya, Califia Farms, Gardein, Oatly, NotCo, and Yves. Leslie Ewing is the executive director of PBFC and a recognized leader in the Canadian plant-based food industry. In this interview, Leslie discusses the dynamic trends in consumer behaviour and market growth, noting the industry’s resilience amidst economic challenges and consumers’ evolving demands. She …

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