Mushroom Broth, Planta, and Aquafaba Powder: A Glimpse into Innovative Food Trends of Tomorrow
In the ever-evolving landscape of the food industry, innovation continues to thrive. Here's a snapshot of some recent developments that are shaping the future of food.
Calbee Group, a Japanese snack manufacturer, has expanded its horizons by acquiring a majority stake in US tofu producer Hodo. This move is expected to bolster Calbee's plant-based offerings and strengthen its presence in the American market.
Mumbai-based Biokraft Foods, a cultivated meat firm, has secured ₹2 crore ($225,000) in pre-seed funding. The funds will accelerate Biokraft's R&D and prepare the company for regulatory approval, bringing us one step closer to the commercialisation of lab-grown meat.
In the realm of innovation, appointments are significant milestones. Checkerspot, a biotech company focused on creating sustainable ingredients, has appointed J Casey Lippmeier as its CTO. Lippmeier's expertise in biotechnology and engineering is expected to drive Checkerspot's growth in the coming years.
Kallø, a natural foods brand, has ventured into the UK dairy alternatives segment with protein-boosted and gluten-free oat milks. This move expands Kallø's product portfolio and caters to the growing demand for plant-based alternatives.
Terra Wave, a Dutch food tech company, has bagged €1.2M ($1.4M) in an EU innovation grant. The funds will support Terra Wave's mission to create sustainable and nutritious food solutions.
Events organiser Emerald X has postponed its Plant Based World Expo Europe indefinitely due to unforeseen circumstances. The event, which showcases the latest innovations in plant-based food and beverages, will be rescheduled at a later date.
Nourish Ingredients, a food tech company, has been named Overall FoodTech Company of the Year at the 2025 AgTech Breakthrough Awards. The recognition underscores Nourish Ingredients' commitment to creating sustainable and nutritious food solutions.
Impossible Foods, the plant-based meat pioneer, held a 99 in 9 challenge at the Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Francisco Giants MLB game. The challenge aimed to convert 99% of the fans to plant-based meat in just nine innings.
In the patent battlefield, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has challenged one of Every's patents in Europe. The outcome of this challenge could have significant implications for the cell-based meat industry.
Onego Bio, a biotech company, has sued Californian producer The Every Company to invalidate a key patent. The lawsuit could potentially disrupt The Every Company's plans for commercialising cell-based meat products.
In Singapore, Nurasa, a sustainable food innovation platform, has launched Q Protein, a range of blended meat products. The launch marks Nurasa's entry into the blended meat market and aligns with Singapore's goal of reducing meat consumption by 30% by 2030.
Planta, a celeb-favourite vegan chain, has been acquired out of bankruptcy by former investor Anchorage Capital Group in an $7.8M deal. The acquisition offers a second chance for Planta to re-establish itself in the competitive plant-based dining market.
British tempeh leader Better Nature has made its way into the Nordics, starting with ICA Gruppen and Coop Sverige in Sweden. The expansion marks Better Nature's commitment to making tempeh a staple in the Nordic diet.
Finnish firm Perfat Technologies has raised €2.5M ($2.9M) in Series A funding. The funds will support Perfat Technologies' mission to create sustainable and functional food ingredients.
California Cultured has filed an industry-first patent for the production of cell-based cocoa butter. If successful, the patent could revolutionise the chocolate industry by offering a sustainable and animal-free alternative to traditional cocoa butter.
Swedish pea milk brand Sproud has launched a new billboard campaign in the UK with Love Island host Maya Jama. The campaign aims to raise awareness about Sproud's sustainable and nutritious pea milk.
Odd Burger, a plant-based fast-food chain, has secured C$2.5M ($1.8M) in equity financing from Rockcliffe Capital. The funds will support Odd Burger's expansion plans and its mission to make plant-based fast food accessible and delicious.
Solar Foods has submitted a GRAS notification to the US Food and Drug Administration for its gas-fermented Solein protein. If approved, Solein could become the first microbial protein to be generally recognised as safe for human consumption in the US.
Several future food companies have been selected in the second cohort of Mars and Unreasonable Group's annual Unreasonable Food accelerator. The accelerator offers resources and mentorship to the selected companies, helping them to scale their innovations and make a positive impact on the food industry.
US startup Two River has launched the country's first Lion's Mane Mushroom Broth into Sprouts Farmers Market stores nationwide. The broth, rich in health benefits, is expected to appeal to consumers seeking functional and natural food options.
Fast-food chain Just Poké has added Impact Tuna's plant-based raw tuna to the menu of all its 29 locations in Washington state. The addition marks a significant step in Just Poké's mission to offer sustainable and plant-based alternatives to traditional poke bowls.
Danone has kickstarted Alpro Sundayz, which includes a brunch using its non-dairy products and an open-air DJ set in the evening, in Paris. The event aims to celebrate Danone's plant-based offerings and promote a plant-based lifestyle.
The company that launched the market for a range of blended meat products in early September 2021 in collaboration with Cremer Sustainable Foods and Quality Meat in Singapore is Ants Innovate. The launch marks Ants Innovate's entry into the blended meat market and its commitment to creating sustainable food solutions.
