In this month’s episode, we discuss the health of the plant-based meat alternatives market with THIS! co-founder Andy Shovel and Melt & Marble co-founder Anastasia Krivoruchko.
Shovel spoke with Food Manufacture about his journey from founding beef burger brand Chosen Bun to his role as head of one of the biggest plant-based food firms in the UK, the lessons he’s learned along the way and the future of the sector.
Emphasis on health and nutrition
“I think that the public can expect more of an emphasis on health and nutrition, clean label and a lack of processing,” said Shovel. “There’s definitely a place for meat alternatives [already] on the market and you can’t achieve those without a degree of processing.
“But there’s also going to be a place for a wholefoods-based alternative for meat. There’s room for other protein options in the future that are plant-based, do replace meat, but don’t do so with more ingredients and more processing.”
Meanwhile, Anastasia Krivoruchko highlighted the role of precision fermentation in creating fats that mimic those found in animals to make better plant-based analogues, while also discussing the direction plant-based meat product development needs to go in order to capture a wider audience.
Ultra-processed foods
She also weighed in on the ultra-processed foods debate and the role that precision fermentation can play in helping to create healthier foods.
“One of the opportunities with ultra-processing is it might allow plant-based meat companies to incorporate ingredients that are healthier and improve the over-all health of the product,” she added.
Food Manufacture editor Bethan Grylls presents the latest edition of Good Month, Bad Month, as she highlights the rise of insolvencies experienced across the food and drink sector and funding for the Royal Veterinary Society to help tackle enzootic pneumonia.
All this and more can be found in the latest episode of the Food Manufacture Podcast, also available through your favourite podcast catcher of choice.
