This week, Danone Canada announced it’s getting into dairy-free Greek yogurt through its brand Silk. In the United Kingdom, Applewood’s vegan cheese just got a creamier reformulation.
Fellow British company Neat Burger—which is backed by F1 racing champ Lewis Hamilton—is getting a makeover of its own with a new “Neat” name and whole foods-focused menu.
Plus, a Blue Zones-themed dinner in Miami will feature a very special guest: Dan Buettner, whose research has led to uncovering some of the secrets of these long-living regions.
Read on for more.
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Vegan food news
When the craving for something flavorful hits, you’ll be happy to know that Hippeas is giving you two new snacks to reach for with its Flavor Blast Chickpea Puffs line. Each made with a base of chickpeas, the Vegan White Cheddar Explosion and Blazin’ Hot puffs are available at various retailers and online, alongside a variety of flavors of Chickpea Puffs, Tortilla Chips, and Veggie Straws lines.
Applewood
This week, several global brands announced some innovations in the vegan food space.
Over in the United Kingdom, cheese lovers are getting an exciting upgrade to Applegate’s dairy-free line. In response to consumer demand for a creamier, more authentic dairy cheese alternative, the company has redeveloped its vegan cheese to more closely mimic the taste and texture of traditional dairy cheese.
The newly formulated product has undergone anonymous taste tests, garnering positive comparisons to dairy cheese. Available in block and sliced formats, the release of this revamped vegan cheese coincides with the brand’s fifth anniversary.
At Biofach 2024 in Germany, plant-based meat brand Wheaty will showcase its new seitan alternatives, including the Vegan Feuerwurst (a take on snappy-skinned German “fire sausage”) and a Bresaola-style cold cut. The German company is also expanding its Snacker line with the protein-rich Weenie Snacker giving Slim Jim’s a run for their money.
Silk
In Canada, Danone-owned Silk just released a Greek-style yogurt made with locally sourced Canadian pea protein. This plant-based yogurt comes in Vanilla and Key Lime flavors and each serving contains 12 grams of protein.
“We know from our research that not only are Canadians looking for products that help them achieve their daily protein intake goals, they’re also looking to purchase products sourced and produced in Canada,” Pierre Morin, Vice President of Research & Innovation at Danone Canada, said in a statement.
“With this launch, we are proud to announce our use of Canadian pea protein to create a great tasting, high protein product that supports local sourcing and production,” Morin said.
The new launch is part of Danone’s expansion of its plant-based portfolio since acquiring Silk in 2016. Additionally, Silk has updated its coconut plant-based yogurt range with new recipes, flavors, and sizes.
Vegan business news
British fast-food chain Neat Burger—which has backing from race car champ Lewis Hamilton—is changing gears. The company is rebranding to “Neat” and will refocus its menu to align with consumer demand for healthier options.
Neat
That means it will prioritize superfood salads and fresh-baked ciabatta bread, a move it has already made at two UK locations with the change expected to expand globally this year.
Once Upon a Farm
Building healthy eating habits early is an important practice for actress Jennifer Garner, who co-founded plant-powered baby food company, Once Upon A Farm, in 2015 to provide nutritious, healthy food for children.
The company offers fresh food for babies and toddlers, featuring products such as farm-raised fruits and veggies in squeezable pouches. In 2024, Once Upon A Farm is now a $100 million business and is considering an IPO, according to Fortune.
In other business news, TurtleTree Foods just became the first precision fermentation startup to get its tech certified by Vegan Action. While this technology is typically vegan and does not require animal inputs, the startup wanted to take the extra step to assure vegan consumers that its animal-free lactoferrin—a dairy-identical protein with many uses, including in vegan milk—is aligned with their ethics.
“We want to build a food system that is sustainable and enables animals to live happier and healthier lives,” Fengru Lin, CEO and Co-Founder of TurtleTree, said in a statement.
“As conscious consumers increasingly prioritize ethical choices, we aim to provide food and beverage brands with the unwavering confidence that our products align seamlessly with those evolving values,” Lin said.
Revo Foods
This week, Austria’s Revo Foods celebrated a victory. A Vienna court has dismissed a lawsuit against the food-tech startup, which specializes in plant-based meat and fish alternatives using 3D-printing technology.
The lawsuit concerned the labeling of Revo Foods’ product which read, “Revo Salmon—100 percent Plant-Based with Pea Protein.” The allegation stated that the label of its fish-free salmon potentially misled consumers despite clear vegan and plant-based descriptors on the packaging.
“Our packaging declares that only 100-percent plant-based ingredients are used and clearly labels the products as vegan without animal-based ingredients,” Robin Simsa, PhD, CEO of Revo Foods, said in a statement. “In our view, any accusation of deception is unjustified.”
“Many consumers are specifically looking for these types of products, and it is important to give guidance of the product taste with descriptive names,” Simsa said.
While this court decision is a significant victory for Revo Foods in Vienna, the victory is felt globally as the alternative protein industry is fighting similar legal actions.
Revo Foods continues to advocate for EU-wide regulations that fairly accommodate sustainable, plant-based products.
Vegan restaurant news
Brunch in the South is getting a plant-based makeover. At Coco Bistro & Bar in Chapel Hill, NC, the new plant-based brunch menu includes familiar dishes such as fluffy pancakes and breakfast burritos, as well as unique offerings such as Pesto Florentine, Breakfast Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, and Caramel Apple Turnovers.
Coco Bistro & Bar
“Probably the number one thing we hear from our customers is that they cannot believe our food is vegan,” Tamara Lackey, the co-owner, said in a statement.
The menu also features health-focused options such as the Ultimate Avocado Toast and Chia Pudding Parfait, alongside an expanded drink menu with brunch cocktails and zero-proof options.
More vegan brunch is on the way to Miami later this month when James Beard nominated chef Jeremy Ford showcases plant-based dishes at the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival.
On February 25, Ford will feature vegan creations, including a Coconut Flan with Tropical Fruit Salsa and a Roasted Garlic and Chive Whipped Cream Cheese Toast with Tomatoes and Herbs—dishes made to highlight the versatility of Violife’s dairy-free cheeses.
Love Life Cafe
Also in Miami, Love Life Cafe will host a Blue Zones dinner with longevity expert Dan Buettner. The special event is part of the eatery’s Conscious Bite Out series and will feature plant-based dishes inspired by Buettner’s Blue Zones research.
“His work in uncovering the secrets to longevity aligns perfectly with our mission of promoting health and wellness through delicious plant-based cuisine,” Veronica Menin, Love Life Cafe co-founder, said in a statement.
The menu includes Smoked Tofu with local oyster mushrooms, Hawaiian purple potatoes, and Ikarian Stew. Tickets for the February 23 event, priced at $125 per person, will include a 5-course plant-based dinner with natural wine pairings and a book signing by Buettner.
“We can’t wait to share an unforgettable culinary experience that celebrates the connection between food, community, and living a long, vibrant life,” Menin said.
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Anna Starostinetskaya is the Senior News Editor at VegNews and is always keeping an eye on all things vegan in her home city of San Francisco, CA and everywhere else.
