The most popular stories, week beginning 15 April

🌱Albert Heijn is selling tons of plant protein

Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn has revealed that 44.1% of the proteins it sold last year were plant-based, up from 42.6% in 2022. The increase is partially due to the launch of Albert Heijn’s own-brand plant-based range, AH Terra, which is claimed to be the largest offered by any Dutch supermarket.

🌱Mosa Meat raises €40M

“The overall macroeconomic landscape has been rough in the last two years, which has culled the herd of companies and forced us to be even more strategic and focused on achieving our mission,” said Mosa Meat CEO Maarten Bosch. “As such, we are humbled and honoured to welcome both public parties and conventional meat producers to join this critical journey.

🌱On growing egg proteins in potatoes

"When we set out to use metabolic engineering to produce animal proteins in common plant crops, we chose the remarkably versatile, low-cost/high-yield potato. Potato plants are resilient in diverse climates and thus grow nearly anywhere in the world," explains Maya Sapir-Mir.

🌱First commercial-scale air protein facility

Claimed as the world’s first factory growing food out of thin air, the new plant will commercially produce 160 tons annually of the company’s flagship protein, Solein, paving the way for the next generation of sustainable products. 

🌱Avian flu + eggflation = opportunity

As reported by the World Health Organization, in 2022, over 131 million poultry died or were “depopulated” by egg producers to control avian flu.

🌱A deep dive into scaffolding

Companies in the cell-ag space are experimenting with 3D structures or scaffolds to recreate the structure and taste of animal tissue to make complex products such as steaks, filets, and even burgers.

🌱World’s highest protein content alt meat

Canada's Wamame Foods unveiled Outlier Protein during a press conference. Founder Blair Bullus said, “This marks a new era where alternative meats don’t just meet the nutritional components of animal proteins, but exceed them by a wide margin and do so while tasting great. With 65 percent more protein than cooked ground beef, we feel like Wamame has truly changed the plant-based protein space.”

🌱 Barbiecue sauce happens to be vegan

The condiment contains a combination of vegan mayo and barbecue sauce, with beetroot extract used to give it a bright pink colour. Heinz first teased the product on social media in August, along with another suggested sauce — “Tomato Kenchup”.