An interesting article by Nathan Rice on ADWEEK highlights the main trends in the food industry, emphasizing how central the fight against climate change is.
More and more consumers are wondering how to change their diet to contribute to the fight against climate change, and consequently, more brands are called to revolutionize their products by rethinking their contents and packaging.
In this regard, interest in meat alternatives is growing. Alternative and healthy proteins such as those from mushrooms, seaweed, and other plants are increasingly in demand, in an effort to reduce meat consumption and, consequently, the impact that production has on the planet, both in terms of land use and greenhouse gas emissions. Spirulina seaweed, for example, is rich in protein and essential amino acids, and its cultivation has a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to other foods.
A similar discussion applies to peas, which are the basis of many "plant-based meat" recipes. As Nathan Rice points out, "it takes almost 100 times more land to produce a gram of protein from beef or lamb than from peas." Pea protein is indeed at the center of attention for several brands dedicated to alternative proteins, such as Beyond Meat, which seeks a balanced mix of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and fats from other plant sources in its products.
However, not all "alternative proteins" are equally sustainable; much depends on the raw materials used and the processing and production methods. It is difficult for a consumer to fully understand what lies behind one plant-based burger compared to another, especially in terms of the origin of raw materials and processing methods. This video from the Swedish Research Institute shows the scientific efforts behind creating meat alternatives that are healthy, eco-friendly, and tasty.
The trend is promising and central to the development of many food brands and attracts the attention of lawmakers in many countries. For further insight on this topic, see "Top 7 Alternative Protein Trends to Watch in 2022" by the Good Food Institute.
In the landscape of meat alternatives, in 2021 a protein source appreciated and known in many diets was brought to the attention of companies and media: mushrooms.
As the World Economic Forum reports, many companies and startups have invested in the promising mushroom market. Through the fermentation of certain specific mushrooms, it is possible to produce mycoprotein, which can make a variety of meat substitute products, offering advantages in terms of cost and texture compared to plant-based proteins.
Cultivated meat represents another interesting development in this field. It is animal meat derived from stem cells grown in a laboratory. Being composed exclusively of animal cells, cultivated meat is not classified as a synthetic product. For this reason, the entire scientific community disputes the use of the term "synthetic" in reference to cultivated meat.
The price of cultivated meat in stores could rapidly decrease to be considered "affordable" by the average consumer thanks to technological improvements.
The techniques for creating cultivated meat have been approved since 1995 by the Food and Drug Administration.
In theory, muscle tissue from any animal, including humans, can be created, opening the way to possible medical applications as well.
Between 2011 and 2017, many cultivated meat startups were launched. Memphis Meats, a Silicon Valley startup founded by a cardiologist, released a video in February 2016 showing its cultivated beef meatball. In March 2017, it presented chicken and orange duck offerings, the first cultivated poultry shown to the public. Memphis Meats was later featured in the 2020 documentary Meat the Future.
In March 2018, Eat Just (founded in 2011 as Hampton Creek in San Francisco, later known as Just, Inc.) claimed to be able to offer a consumer product based on cultivated meat. In 2021, it announced plans to open a factory in Qatar.
In 2019, Aleph Farms collaborated with 3D Bioprinting Solutions to cultivate meat on the International Space Station. This was done by extruding meat cells onto a scaffold using a 3D printer.
The company Hampton Creek stated it can obtain these cells directly from a simple feather, while the company SuperMeat claimed it can feed the cells with synthetic or plant-based substances (instead of serum).
Leonardo DiCaprio in 2021 declared his support for Mosa Meat and Aleph Farms, saying "To fight the climate crisis, we must transform our food system."
In Italy, the non-profit association Agricoltura Cellulare Italia APS is engaged in scientific outreach and promoting research in this field.
The price of cultivated meat in stores could rapidly decrease to be considered "affordable" by the average consumer thanks to technological improvements.
The techniques for creating cultivated meat have been approved since 1995 by the Food and Drug Administration.
In theory, muscle tissue from any animal, including humans, can be created, opening the way to possible medical applications as well.
