<div>
 <ul>
 <li>
 
 NotCo, a Chilean Food Tech company, has developed a plant-based turtle soup called &quot;NotTurtle Soup&quot; in partnership with Chef Diego Oka. NotTurtle Soup claims to mimic the flavor and texture of authentic turtle soup to reduce the consumption of endangered green sea turtles.
 
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 <li>
 
 To develop the NotTurtle Soup, NotCo&rsquo;s AI algorithm Giuseppe selected five types of proteins in just two weeks from over 300,000 plant species and 260 quintillion possible combinations to recreate the flavor of turtle meat.&nbsp;
 
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 Analyst QuickTake: 
 Technologies like AI and machine learning are not common in the plant-based industry. However, companies like NotCo, 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/782366">
 Shiru
 </a>
 , and 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/639394">
 The Live Green Co
 </a>
 have taken initial steps to harness the power of AI to develop plant-based alternatives. Further, in 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/19979">
 July 2023
 </a>
 , Protein Industries Canada issued a CAD 10 million (~USD 8 million) call for plant-based Food Tech projects utilizing AI to advance the development of Canada's plant-based space.
 
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 </ul>
 
 
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<div>
 
 <a href="https://vegconomist.com/products-launches/notco-develops-plant-based-turtle-soup-alternative-combat-sea-turtle-decline/">
 Vegconomist
 </a>
 
</div>

Plant-based Meat

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>
 NotCo, a Food Tech company based in Chile, collaborated with Chef Diego Oka to create a plant-based version of turtle soup, called "NotTurtle Soup." The aim of the product is to replicate the flavor and texture of real turtle soup, in an effort to decrease the consumption of endangered green sea turtles.
 The company used their AI algorithm Giuseppe to develop the NotTurtle Soup. The AI searched through more than 300,000 plant species and 260 quintillion combinations, and eventually chose five types of proteins to recreate the taste of turtle meat, all within a period of two weeks.&nbsp;
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 Technologies like AI and machine learning are not common in the plant-based industry. However, companies like NotCo, <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/companies/782366"> Shiru </a> , and <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/companies/639394"> The Live Green Co </a> have taken initial steps to harness the power of AI to develop plant-based alternatives. Further, in <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/19979"> July 2023 </a> , Protein Industries Canada issued a CAD 10 million (~USD 8 million) call for plant-based Food Tech projects utilizing AI to advance the development of Canada's plant-based space.

NotCo develops plant-based solution for turtle soup with AI

<div>
 A new 100% plant-based meat substitute called "Better-nera" has been launched for the Spanish market by Better Balance, the plant-based arm of the Sigma group. The product was developed in tandem with Chunk Foods, utilizing their patented solid-state fermentation technology.
 With a protein content of 21%, Better-nera is rich in fiber, iron, and vitamin B12, while being devoid of cholesterol, artificial colors, or additives. It also boasts low levels of saturated fat and sodium. It is versatile in preparation methods, with the options of pan-frying, roasting, smoking, or stewing, making it suitable for a variety of dishes.
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 Chunk Foods’ proprietary solid-state fermentation technology combines plant ingredients and food-grade microorganisms to create whole-cut meat analogs. The development of Better-nera follows Sigma group’s <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/25922"> partnership </a> with Chunk Foods in January 2024 to supply plant-based proteins for the Better Balance range.

Better Balance introduces plant-based 'Better-nera' cut in Spanish market

<div>
 Solar Foods, a Finnish company, has announced the official inauguration of Factory 01, its new manufacturing plant in Vantaa, Finland. The factory will commercially produce the company's flagship protein, Solein.
 The facility, having an annual production capacity of 160 tons, uses a bioreactor that can produce the protein equivalent of a 300-cow dairy farm daily. The factory will also function as an R&amp;D hub for developing future products. 
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 Solein, a versatile and nutritious protein, is produced using a unique process involving a microorganism, CO2, and electricity. The company has received <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/14058"> regulatory approval </a> from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and has applied for approvals in the EU and US. Moreover, in <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/18897"> May 2023 </a> , Solar Foods held a tasting event in Singapore, showcasing menu items made with Solein, and in <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/19078"> June 2023 </a> , partnered with Ajinomoto to develop Solein-based products.

Solar Foods launches world's first air protein factory in Finland

<div>
 Wamame Foods, under Top Tier Foods, has introduced "Outlier Protein," a new protein alternative boasting higher protein content than cooked ground beef.
 This product was developed in partnership with AGT Food and Ingredients, Crush Dynamics, Apex Food Source, and researchers from the University of British Columbia. It is said to contain 64% more protein than standard ground beef and is composed of only seven ingredients.
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 Conventional beef contains around 21 g of protein per serving, which products like <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/26827"> Beyond IV </a> have matched. The significantly higher protein content and short ingredient list of Outlier Protein can alleviate consumer pain points like the need for highly nutritional and clean-label products and help with consumer acceptance.

Wamame Foods launches high-protein alternative 'Outlier Protein'

<div>
 Mush Foods, a plant-based ingredients producer, has teamed up with Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors, a US butcher shop, to launch a new product called the 50CUT Burger. This innovative food item mixes ground beef with four different varieties of mushrooms, creating a more eco-friendly alternative to regular beef burgers.
 The partnership allows Mush Foods to tap into Pat LaFrieda’s extensive network, which includes over 1,600 restaurants and foodservice establishments across the US. The 50CUT Burger is clean-label, mimics the taste and texture of meat, and provides a complete protein profile according to the company.
 
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 In January 2024, Mush Foods raised <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/25316"> USD 6.2 million </a> in seed funding to facilitate its entry into foodservice. The company’s 50CUT product is not meant to replace animal proteins like most plant-based ingredients. Still, it allows producers to reduce the animal protein content in meat products by 50% while maintaining nutritional value.

Mush Foods partners with Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors to launch mushroom-beef blended burger

<div>
 The French Conseil d'Etat has put on hold a legislation set to be effective from May 1st, which would put a ban on labeling plant-based products with names traditionally used for meat products. This decision was made in response to objections raised by plant-based food producing companies.
 According to the Conseil d’Etat and these vegetarian food companies, the law may have significant economic consequences. The ban may cause these companies to take severe hits in their revenues due to the costs of rebranding. Currently, the validity of such a prohibition is being questioned, pending the verdict of the European Court of Justice.
 
</div> Analyst QuickTake : 
 The plant-based meat labeling decrees in France have sparked significant debate and legal challenges, highlighting the complexities surrounding the regulation of food labeling in the alternative protein industry. This suspension follows the <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/21540"> submission </a> and <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/27012"> passing </a> of a revised proposal after suspending the initial proposal in <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/11997"> July 2022 </a> .

French Conseil d’Etat suspends plant-based labeling decree for second time

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

<div>
 Givaudan, Bühler, and MISTA have launched a specialized extrusion hub at the MISTA Innovation Center in San Francisco. This hub offers the necessary technology for businesses to conduct product development tests for extruded products.
 The newly introduced hub features a 30mm twin-screw Bühler extruder, which is suitable for both high moisture extrusion (used in plant-based meat production) and low moisture extrusion (utilized in snacks and cereals production). The hub possesses a maximum output capacity of up to 50 kilograms per hour, thereby facilitating companies to upscale trial results to full-scale production tools.
 
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 Givaudan and Bühler have individually and collaboratively contributed to the novel foods space significantly. In <a href="https: 
//www.givaudan.com/media/trade-media/2023/opening-tropical-food-innovation-lab"> October 2023 </a> , the two companies along with Cargill, ITAL, and the FoodTech Hub Latam launched a tropical food innovation hub in Brazil to develop sustainable food and beverages.

Givaudan, MISTA, and Bühler inaugurate extrusion hub at MISTA Innovation Center

<div>
 Steakholder Foods, an Israeli firm that specializes in 3D-printed alternative meats, is introducing its SHMeat and SHFish blends in the United States. This move follows a feasibility study that established these products' compliance with the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status. 
 These premier blends, namely the SHMeat Beef Steak and SHFish White Fish, are devised to resemble the taste and texture of actual beef and white fish. They are also crafted to be compatible with the firm's 3D printing technologies, including Drop Location in Space (DLS) and Fused Paste Layering (FPL). Apart from these, Steakholder Foods is also developing other SHMeat and SHFish variants, which include Beef Asado, Beef Tenderloin, Beef Flank, Chicken Fillet, and Salmon. 
 
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 Stakeholder Foods, a company usually associated with cell-cultured meat, has recently made strides in the plant-based meat alternatives sector. In January 2024, the company added 3D-printed plant-based <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/25120"> eel </a> and <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/25774"> shrimp </a> to its portfolio. Further, in February 2024, the company <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/26284"> partnered </a> with Wyler Farms to create 3D-printed plant-based steaks.

Steakholder Foods launches SHMeat and SHFish blends in US

<div>
 UK and Switzerland-based plant-based meat producers, THIS and Planted, have released Asian-inspired rotisserie-style vegan chicken products in the UK. THIS has introduced THIS Isn't Chicken Shawarma, while Planted has debuted vegan Chicken Tikka Skewers.
 THIS Isn’t Chicken Shawarma is created using soy and fava bean protein, combined with various spices. The product is designed to emulate real chicken's taste and texture, utilizing the company's extrusion technology. Planted's Chicken Tikka Skewers feature a marinade with flavors of cinnamon, coriander, cumin, and curry leaves.&nbsp;
 THIS Isn’t Chicken Shawarma will retail at GBP 3.30 (~USD 4.2) per 170 g and will be available in ASDA, Waitrose, and co-op stores in the UK and Albert Heijn in the Netherlands in May 2024. Contrarily, Planted’s chicken substitutes will be sold at Tesco stores.
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 The launch of these new products comes when the demand for vegan products rises. In 2023, the demand for plant-based alternatives dipped, causing several producers to cease operations. However, according to <a href="https: 
//plantbasednews.org/news/economics/tesco-second-phase-plant-based-growth/#: 
~: 
text=Sales%20on%20the%20up&amp;text=But%20the%20sector%20has%20been,meat%20alternatives%20tofu%20and%20tempeh."> Tesco </a> , plant-based meat sales in the UK have begun to pick up again, with plant-based chicken reporting an increase of 20% in sales.

THIS and Planted to launch new vegan chicken dishes in UK

<div>
 Tender Food (formerly Boston Meats), a producer of plant-based meat, has secured USD 10.1 million in a financing round involving five investors. This fundraise brings the overall funds accumulated by the company to USD 22.4 million.
 
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 Tender Food’s last funding round was in <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/9131"> March 2022 </a> , when it raised USD 12 million to scale production. The company uses plant-based fiber-spinning technology to develop whole-cut meat alternatives, including beef steak, pulled pork, and chicken breasts.

All Updates