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    <li>
      <p>
        The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms has issued a positive safety opinion for Impossible Foods' soy leghemoglobin (heme) ingredient, marking a significant step toward EU market approval.
      </p>
    </li>
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      <p>
        The ingredient, which provides the meat-like taste and &quot;bleeding&quot; effect in Impossible's products, now faces a 30-day public consultation period for scientific comments before moving to final approval stages with the European Commission and EU Member States.
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        The approval process began in 2019, while in 
        <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/32229">
          August 2024
        </a>
        , the company received provisional approval from the EFSA for heme. If this process is successful, it would add the EU to the list of regions where Impossible's heme ingredient is approved, joining the US, Canada, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand.  
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
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  </p>
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<div>
  <p>
    <a href="https://vegconomist.com/company-news/impossible-foods-approaches-eu-approval/">
      Vegconomist
    </a>
  </p>
</div>


Plant-based Meat

<div>
 <p>The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms has given a positive safety opinion on Impossible Foods' soy leghemoglobin (heme) ingredient. This is an important step in gaining EU market approval. Heme gives Impossible products their meaty taste and "bleeding" effect. The ingredient will undergo a 30-day public consultation period for scientific comments, prior to receiving final approval from the European Commission and EU Member States.</p>
 <p>The approval process commenced in 2019. In <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/32229"> August 2024 </a> , the EFSA provisionally approved the heme. Upon successful completion of the approval process, the EU will join a list of regions where Impossible's heme ingredient is approved. This list currently includes the US, Canada, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand.</p>
</div>

EU safety panel approves Impossible Foods' heme ingredient

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<div>
 <p>Plant-based meat company, Impossible Foods, has announced the release of three new retail products: Impossible Disney The Lion King Chicken Nuggets, Impossible Meal Makers, and Impossible Corn Dogs. These new offerings are expected to become available in grocery stores nationwide over the following weeks.</p>
 <p>The Disney The Lion King Chicken Nuggets, which are shaped like characters from the popular movie, contain 10g of protein per serving. The Impossible Meal Makers are available in Taco and Italian-style varieties, both offering 19g of protein per serving. Lastly, the Impossible Corn Dogs feature a plant-based hot dog enveloped in a cornmeal coating.</p>
 <p>According to Impossible Foods, these new products are healthier, cholesterol-free alternatives to their traditional meat-based counterparts. The Lion King Nuggets possess 60% less saturated fat than regular chicken nuggets, the Meal Makers have 33% less saturated fat than traditional ground beef, and the Corn Dogs contain 40% less total and saturated fat compared to animal-based corn dogs.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> Impossible Foods has had a favorable year with several noteworthy developments. In August 2024, the company <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/32555"> launched </a> its first in-person food service concept and received <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/32229"> provisional approval </a> from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for its heme ingredient. Furthermore, in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/33289"> September 2024 </a> , it settled a patent infringement dispute with Motif FoodWorks over the heme protein and took over Motif FoodWorks' heme business.</p>

Impossible Foods launches three new plant-based products for retail

<div>
 <p>Impossible Foods and Motif Foodworks have resolved their patent dispute concerning heme protein. As a result of the agreement, Impossible Foods will acquire Motif FoodWorks' heme business that manufactures a protein identical to bovine myoglobin called Hemami. </p>
 <p>The lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice, indicating that the same legal action cannot be taken again. The costs and expenses will be borne by each company individually. The companies state that this solidifies Impossible Foods' leadership in the heme-related product sector, as Motif FoodWorks and Ginkgo Bioworks continue to support growth and innovation in the plant-based industry.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> This development marks a significant milestone for Impossible Foods, which has been entangled in this legal battle since early <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/8996"> 2022 </a> . Additionally, the timing aligns with the company’s recent <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/32229"> provisional approval </a> from the EFSA for the use of heme. This step could pave the way for launching heme-containing products in the EU countries, pending further review.</p>

Impossible Foods and Motif Foodworks settle heme patent dispute

<div>
 <p>Impossible Foods, a company specializing in plant-based meats, has launched its first physical foodservice concept, "Impossible Quality Meats", in Chicago, Illinois. The temporary outlet is positioned in Uptown Chicago and will run until Fall 2024.</p>
 <p>The pop-up will present a wholly plant-based menu comprising the brand's range of imitation beef, chicken, and pork items. Menu highlights include the Impossible Breakfast Sausage Sandwich, Impossible Asian Style Meatballs, Impossible Nachos, and several other dishes.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> This development is an extension of the company’s <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/27580"> revamped brand identity </a> launched earlier this year. The new brand identity was created to attract more flexitarian and meat-eating consumers, including the rollout of vibrant red packaging.</p>

Impossible Foods opens first in-person dining concept in Chicago

<div>
 <p>Impossible Foods, a plant-based meat company, has obtained provisional approval from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for its heme ingredient, soy leghemoglobin, which it uses in its plant-based beef products.</p>
 <p>However, before initiating commercial sales, Impossible Foods still requires a clearance from a panel that will oversee the genetic modifications of the ingredient. The panel is expected to complete this assessment by June 2025.&nbsp;</p>
 <p>The soy leghemoglobin is created using precision fermentation with genetically modified Komagataella phaffii yeast. This ingredient gives Impossible Foods' products their unique colour, taste, and a bleed effect, thus mimicking traditional beef.&nbsp;</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> The heme ingredient is still not definitively approved in the EU, although it has already received clearance in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, highlighting the stringent nature of the EU novel foods regulatory process. In <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/10547"> May 2022 </a> , Impossible Foods had to launch its products in the UK without the inclusion of heme, while in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/15144"> December 2022 </a> , its European patent for the inclusion of heme was revoked amid an IP dispute with Motif FoodWorks.</p>

Impossible Foods' heme ingredient receives provisional approval by EFSA

<div>
 <p>Plant-based meat producer, Impossible Foods, has introduced a new brand identity aimed at appealing more to flexitarian and meat-eating consumers. As part of this change, the company is adopting a new vibrant red color for its packaging to reflect its goal of creating meat alternatives that can rival traditional meat in terms of taste and quality. </p>
 <p>In the coming weeks, the redesigned packaging will be launched in the US and will gradually be introduced to international locations later in the year. The first product to feature the new packaging will be the recently introduced <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/24643"> Impossible Beef Hot Dog </a>.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> The new red packaging resonates with Impossible Foods’ use of heme protein. It is based on soy leghemoglobin and plays a crucial role in providing the characteristic meaty flavor and texture for Impossible’s meat alternatives. While it is approved in the US, heme is considered a novel ingredient in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/10547"> European countries </a> , where Impossible Foods had to launch its products without heme.</p>

Impossible Foods unveils new brand identity and revamped packaging

<div>
 <p>Plant-based meat producer, Impossible Foods, has joined forces with the US Army Central to offer their products at dining facilities overseas. This new collaboration will allow US soldiers stationed in North Africa, the Persian Gulf, the Middle East and Southwest Asia to enjoy Impossible Beef and Impossible Burgers.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
 </div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> While this development marks a milestone, this is not the first time the company has collaborated with US entities to serve plant-based meats. Before this, Impossible Foods was already serving its products to troops at various food operations at a national level. Furthermore, in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/5421"> 2021 </a> , the company received USDA approval to serve Impossible Burger on lunch menus across K-12 school districts nationwide.</p>

Impossible Foods and US Army team up to serve plant-based meat to troops

<div>
 <p>Plant-based alternatives producer, Impossible Foods, has expanded its executive leadership with new appointments. Elaine Paik will serve as CFO, previously the global treasurer at Colgate-Palmolive Company for 25 years. Emma Hutchens becomes the chief people officer, to deal with operations such as talent acquisition, and diversity. Lastly, Alexis Regan has been appointed as senior vice president of sales, where she will aid distribution expansion efforts.</p>
</div>

Impossible Foods expands executive leadership team

<div>
 
 <p>Impossible Foods will give away their new Impossible Beef Hot Dogs in New York City for one day. The official launch for retail and food service will happen in 2024. The hot dogs are plant-based and aim to mimic the taste and cooking experience of traditional beef hot dogs. They contain 50% less total and saturated fats, no cholesterol, and 12g of protein per serving. The hot dogs use naturally occurring nitrates from cultured celery powder, avoiding synthetic additives.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake: </b> This product is the latest addition to Impossible’s beef portfolio and marks the seventh product announced in 2023. Impossible Foods’ new products, such as the “Beef Lite,” which received the AHA heart <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates?companyIds=238405"> certification </a> , underscores its commitment to providing healthier alternatives to traditional beef. These products are characterized by their high protein and lower fat content.</p>

Impossible Foods to launch plant-based beef hot dogs

DISRUPTOR_PRESENT

<div>
 <ul>
  <li><p>Impossible Foods, a plant-based meat producer, has received the heart-check certification from American Heart Association (AHA) for its Impossible Beef Lite.</p></li>
  <li><p>Impossible Beef Lite claims to have a low saturated fat content, zero trans fat, and lower saturated fat than lean 90/10 ground beef from animals. Moreover, it contains 21 g of protein per serving (113 g), fiber, iron, B vitamins, zinc, and potassium.&nbsp;</p></li>
 </ul>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake: </b> Beyond Meat, a key competitor of Impossible Foods, was the first plant-based meat company to <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18376"> receive </a> AHA’s heart-check certification for Beyond Steak. Products that receive this certification have met the nutritional requirements of the AHA, including being low in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, and sodium while containing over 10% of the daily value of essential nutrients.</p>

All Updates

EU safety panel approves Impossible Foods' heme ingredient

Impossible Foods launches three new plant-based products for retail

Impossible Foods and Motif Foodworks settle heme patent dispute

Impossible Foods opens first in-person dining concept in Chicago

Impossible Foods' heme ingredient receives provisional approval by EFSA

Impossible Foods unveils new brand identity and revamped packaging

Impossible Foods and US Army team up to serve plant-based meat to troops

Impossible Foods expands executive leadership team

Impossible Foods to launch plant-based beef hot dogs

Impossible Foods' Beef Lite earns AHA heart-check certification

Plant-based Meat

EU safety panel approves Impossible Foods' heme ingredient

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