How Plant-Based Protein Changed the Food Tech Industry Forever

Plant-based protein is changing the game for the food tech industry. While eaters benefit from this healthier alternative, some of them still want to taste it like meat.

Let's take a look at some of the interesting highlights of plant-based proteins in food service.

Plant-Based Protein Takes Center Stage

Plant-based proteins have taken the food service industry by storm, and the Good Food Institute recently shared some intriguing insights into this flourishing sector.

According to TechCrunch, the 2022 sales of plant-based proteins through U.S. broadline distributors soared to an impressive $304 million. This represents an 8% increase from pre-pandemic levels in 2019, showcasing the remarkable growth of this market.

Another interesting news is the evolution of the consumers' taste buds.

It's evident that their taste preferences are evolving, and analog plant-based proteins, which closely replicate the taste and texture of animal-based meat, are in high demand. These products accounted for a substantial 53% of pound sales in 2022, up from 39% in 2019.

For buyers of plant-based meat products, your worth is definitely crucial. They visit food service establishments approximately 30 times more each year and spend around $400 more than the average consumer. This loyalty is driving the continued success of plant-based options in the industry.

Mushrooming Success

While the concept of using mushrooms to produce protein isn't new, Scotland-based Enough is taking it to the next level.

With the promise of rapid scalability, Enough recently secured €40 million ($43.5 million) in growth funding. This funding injection aims to test their innovative technology and its potential to revolutionize the protein industry.

Other Interesting Food Tech Insights

Meatable, a European company, has secured $35 million to advance its cultivated pork products. Their groundbreaking technology has enabled them to reduce production time from three weeks to just eight days. This efficiency stems from their ability to operate 500-liter bioreactors and grow cells at an impressive rate of 80 million cells per milliliter.

Another company, Sustainability, is at the forefront of the seafood industry. Likewise, Bluu Seafood and Aqua Cultured Foods are making waves. The former is known for its "lab-grown" fish which comes in two forms.

Meanwhile, Maolac combines artificial intelligence with breastmilk to provide relief for little ones. Learn more about this pioneering technology and how it's making a difference in babies' lives.

Finally, some questions swirl around Omeat's cow plasma extraction farm, which emerged from stealth this year. FoodDive says that the company focuses on making edible meat from plasma from a cattle herd. It does not utilize cells that come from fetal bovine serum or any ingredients.

With this amazing summary of news about plant-based proteins, it's no wonder that humans can eat almost anything in the most different way while getting the same nutrients needed by the body from various sources.