4Mins Read BlueNalu has teamed up with leading Asian seafood giants Thai Union and Mitsubishi Corporation to accelerate the launch of cell-cultured seafood across Asia-Pacific. The move is part of the Californian food tech’s Asia-focused strategy, given the strong potential to disrupt the fast-growing demand for seafood in key populous Asian markets with its sustainable cultivated alternatives. […]
3Mins Read The Coca-Cola Company is expanding its plant-based portfolio with a new oat milk product launched under its Simply brand. The move comes as the entire oat milk category surges to become the second most popular plant-based dairy alternative within just years of its inception, and is now recording triple-digit sales growth. Coca-Cola is entering the […]
The dairy-free cheese alternative market is huge and it’s growing fast. Analysts expect the global plant-based cheese segment to double from its current $2.7 billion to more than $4.5 billion by 2025.
With as many as 4 in 10 consumers worldwide now flexitarians, even big food corporations like Bel Brands and Danone are jumping to launch their own vegan cheese.
But the majority of brands on the market are offering alternatives based on nuts, such as cashews and almonds, which aren’t suitable for people with nut allergies. There’s now a new crop of companies looking to do something different, ditching nut-based recipes for unusual ingredients like cauliflower, sunflower seeds, fava beans, and more, to create their just-as-delicious animal-free cheeses. Let’s take a look at five startups that are changing the game.
Source: Grounded Foods
1. Grounded Foods is all-in on ugly cauliflower and hemp
Los Angeles-based Grounded Foods makes nut-free, soy-free, plant-based cheeses out of cauliflower and hemp seeds. What’s more, it sources “ugly” ones from local farms to help cut down on food waste and ensure the products are as sustainable as possible. Just landed on the market in 2021, the startup’s vegan and keto-friendly range boasts three products: Marinated Hemp Seed Goat Cheese, Hemp Seed Cream Cheese, and Cheese-Free Cheese Sauce.
Source: Stockeld Dreamery
2. Stockeld Dreamery makes feta from peas & fava beans
Swedish startup Stockeld Dreamery has chosen pea protein and fava beans as its star ingredients. The first product, a plant-based feta cheese, took hundreds of iterations to develop and is made through a fermentation process. The end product is a totally nut-free, vegan feta alternative that rivals the nutrition, taste, and look of the real deal, and will soon be making its first debut in Stockholm via a food service launch.
Source: Change Foods
3. Change Foods is changing it up with recombinant proteins
The first and only fermentation dairy startup with a base of operations in Asia-Pacific, Change Foods is a U.S.-Australian food tech using microbial precision fermentation or recombinant technology to make their animal-free cheese. The startup is working to create lactose-free dairy alternatives that are bio-identical to real dairy-based cheeses.
Source: Spero Foods
4. Spero Foods’ cream cheeses are powered by sunflower seeds
Spero Foods is ditching nuts for sunflower seeds, all in the name of making plant-based dairy affordable to all. Founded by former Cornell University researcher Phäedra Randolph, who believes that the use of nuts as the primary base for vegan cheeses is making it “prohibitively expensive” for mass consumers, Spero Foods is making their nut-free cost-comparable range of cream cheese out of sunflower seeds, agave, coconut oil and natural flavourings like cinnamon, strawberry powder, herb blends, and spices.
Source: Climax Foods
5. Climax Foods is all about the data
Berkeley, California-based food tech Climax Foods is basing its cheese on one primary technological ingredient: data. The startup, the brainchild of former Google, SpaceX, and Impossible Foods scientist Dr. Oliver Zahn, is harnessing data science and machine learning frameworks to find out the perfect formulation to create the most delicious plant-based cheese. Taking home US$7.5 million in 2020, the company is now hard at work to develop a vegan-friendly alternative to aged cheese – and we can’t wait to hear about what will no doubt be a unique ingredient list.
4Mins Read A new Singapore body Future Ready Food Safety Hub (FRESH) has been set up to accelerate food safety research, support food science capabilities and enable regulatory responsiveness to speed up the commercialisation of novel foods. Launched by three Singapore agencies, the organisation is part of the city-state’s plan to bolster food security and lead sustainable […]
3Mins Read General Silicones (GS), a major manufacturer and distributor of silicone and rubber products across the CPG, electronics and automobile industries, has made its first debut into the vegan leather space, introducing a new plastic-free sustainable leather alternative made from natural silicone rubber. The Taiwanese company says the decision is part of its “manufacturing evolution” in […]
5Mins Read Mei Jiang, the fine dining Chinese restaurant at The Peninsula Bangkok, has relaunched with a brand new exclusive plant-based culinary experience. Helmed by executive chef Stefan Leitner, the restaurant will open its doors, offering only one dinner reservation per night and serving a nine-course, plant-based Chinese tasting menu – the first of its kind in […]
4Mins Read Beyond Meat has debuted its brand new version of the Beyond Burger, which is a healthier plant-based patty featuring “impressive advancements in taste and nutrition”. Landing in retail stores in the U.S. nationwide in May, the third iteration of the Beyond Burger contains less fat and fewer calories, while still rivalling vitamin content and flavour […]
4Mins Read The Vegetarian Butcher has rolled out six new plant-based meat alternative products for foodservice businesses in China, after the brand landed in the country for the first time in December. The new products will be available for chefs across the country to “get cooking with our new meat” as flexitarianism and plant-based eating becomes increasingly […]
4Mins Read Eat Just is rolling out a new Shanghai guide showcasing street vendors across the city who are serving 100% vegan versions of jianbing, the most popular street-style breakfast foods in China, made with the food tech’s famous plant-based JUST Egg. It marks the second campaign launched by the startup’s Future Food Studio in Shanghai, the […]
5Mins Read SunOpta, the North American plant-based and fruit beverage manufacturing giant, is quickly expanding its capacity and portfolio of vegan milk brands to keep up with consumer demand. Now doubling down on oat milk, a category recording triple-digit growth rates, as well as other non-dairy products like yoghurt and ice cream, the firm is expecting the […]
4Mins Read As alternative proteins scale up and reduce costs, they “promise substantial disruption” to the conventional animal meat market, says a new report. The analysts also pointed to changing regulations and fast-growing consumer adoption as key factors propelling the alternative protein industry, and advised conventional protein producers to “consider a more diverse portfolio” as pressure piles […]
3Mins Read Fast food giant Burger King U.K. has launched a brand new chicken-free Vegan Royale burger and re-introduced the Plant-Based Whopper to its menus in the country. Teaming up with The Vegetarian Butcher to roll out the new items, Burger King says the move is part of its push to cater to its growing flexitarian and […]
4Mins Read Israeli food tech BioMilk went public on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) this month, becoming the world’s first publicly traded cell-based milk company. The startup produces real cow’s milk and human breast milk directly from cells, and plans to release its first samples over the next two years. BioMilk also revealed it could be […]
4Mins Read Epicurious, one of the largest food and cooking digital platforms in the world, has bid farewell to beef recipes. The Condé Nast subsidiary says it has taken the decision to stop publishing beef-related recipes across its website, articles, newsletters and even social media page in order to become “pro-planet” and “encourage more sustainable cooking”. Epicurious […]
3Mins Read American food giant Kellogg has introduced a new plant-based meat alternative, Chick’n Tenders, to U.S. shelves amid surging demand for vegan products. The new vegan chicken analogue is launched under its subsidiary MorningStar Farms’ Incogmeato brand, and will be available across major retailers including Walmart and Kroger. As U.S. plant-based retail sales over the past […]
3Mins Read Supermarket giant Lidl has expanded its vegan offerings in Germany to more than 450 products, sold under its own-label Vemondo. The discount retailer says that all its plant-based food products will now be clearly branded under Vemondo across its stores to make it easier for consumers to identify vegan from non-vegan items. Lidl has also […]
3Mins Read Fast food giant Taco Bell is testing a brand new meatless protein dubbed the “Cravetarian”. Made from chickpeas and peas, the new vegetarian-friendly taco is topped with sour cream and cheese, which can be swapped out to cater to vegan folk. The move comes shortly after the QSR chain announced a partnership with Beyond Meat […]
3Mins Read Agribusiness giant Cargill has invested in Bflike, a startup hailing from the Netherlands that licenses its proprietary plant-based technology and ingredient solutions to food companies looking to produce alternative proteins. The partnership between Cargill and Bflike will mean faster and more affordable routes to market for new “next generation” plant-based meat and fish analogues. Cargill […]
4Mins Read Hong Kong-based cellular agriculture startup Avant Meats has announced that it will be establishing its R&D and pilot manufacturing plant in Singapore. The plan, supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), will enable Avant Meats to scale up and speed up the route to market, given the regulatory framework already in place in the […]
3Mins Read Picup has launched its plantable paper cups in Poland, the first-of-its-kind in the country and across Europe. The Poznan-based startup’s 100% biodegradable cups of tea or coffee contain seeds at the bottom of the filter, allowing a tree to grow after the drink is consumed. Polish sustainable packaging startup Picup has introduced Europe’s first-ever plantable […]
4Mins Read American multinational food giant ADM has just opened a new plant-based innovation lab in Singapore, as the firm pivots to ramp up alternative protein development and production in response to “rapidly growing consumer demand” across the Asia-Pacific. The Biopolis research hub will feature a wide range of R&D capabilities, from beverages and other dairy alternative […]
4Mins Read Global energy-related carbon emissions are set to jump by 1.5 billion tonnes in 2021, the second biggest increase in history, predicts a new International Energy Agency (IEA) report. The sharp rise is primarily driven by coal demand, which will mean a reverse in almost all of the decline observed last year amid the Covid-19 pandemic. […]
4Mins Read Legendairy Foods, the Berlin-based food tech using precision fermentation to develop animal-free dairy proteins, has announced its rebrand to Formo. The new name is designed as a consumer-facing brand as the biotech’s team continues to grow and accelerate its mission to bring real dairy cheeses with its fermentation-cultivated animal-free dairy proteins to cheese-lovers all over […]
4Mins Read While the cell-based protein space has heated up rapidly in Western Europe, the U.S. and Asia-Pacific in recent years, startups tapping cellular agriculture to sustainably produce meat remain few and far between in Central and Eastern Europe. Bene Meat Technologies is changing that. Led by a team of Czech biotechnologists and food scientists, the Prague-based […]
3Mins Read Clara Foods, the San Francisco-based food tech fermenting animal-free proteins, has teamed up with ZX Ventures, the innovation arm of the world’s largest brewing company AB InBev. The new R&D partnership will be tasked to “unlock precision fermentation” and its potential to “brew” egg proteins without chickens on a large scale. The new partnership with […]
It’s time to take the “either/or” out of inclusivity and sustainability. Consumers are demanding fashion brands to tick more than one box, telling them it’s not enough to preach about transparent supply chains and ethical sourcing if blind spots still remain when it comes to exclusive marketing, racist brand culture and non-diverse sizing and fit.
While there’s still so much progress to be made in the fashion industry, some brands have stepped up and championed both inclusivity and sustainability, and we’re here to highlight some of the best for every size, every occasion.
Source: Eileen Fisher
Best for workwear & wardrobe essentials:Eileen Fisher
Clean supply chain, ethical and made from sustainable fibres? Eileen Fisher checks all three boxes, plus one more – a dedicated collection for larger sizes up to 3X, proportioned to fit all women perfectly. These Fair Trade organic certified pieces are great for your wardrobe staples, coming in varied muted naturally-dyed colours, tones and easy-to-match cuts. What’s more? The brand offers a renewable program to allow customers to return their old clothing, which gets repaired and refurbished as new garments sold for a discount.
Source: Made Trade
Best for variety:Made Trade
If you’re looking for an entire library of ethical and sustainable plus-sized clothing to browse through in one accessible place, then Made Trade is for you. The curated online store boasts a wide collection of brands that are all environmentally-conscious and value-led, with each product page also showing the materials used, whether the product is plant-based or suitable for vegans, and the measures the brand takes to avoid human rights violations. The range in their plus size apparel section is impressive, running up to 6XL for everything from your everyday casual wear to date-night looks.
Source: Hara
Best for lingerie and underwear: Hara
We’ve got you covered for lingerie and underwear too, with Hara topping our list for offering the dreamiest underwear sets made sustainably from bamboo. The Australian-made label ranges from trendy bandeaus and bralettes to sexy low-cut bras, high waist undies and even leotards and loungewear – all coming in earthy tones and sizes running up to 5X.
Source: Mata Traders
Best for boho dresses: Mata Traders
Everyone loves a good boho dress, but finding a chic, non-tacky, eco-friendly and inclusive boho dress can be a challenge. Mata Traders has come to the rescue, offering a plus size collection of sleek and retro-modern boho dresses in a number of different patterns, bright colours, lengths and cuts – maxi, short and everything in between. In addition to running a wide variety of sizes up to 2X, the brand even offers a motherhood-friendly line of extra-stretchy garments, all made from ethically-sourced cotton and hand-made by female artisans in Indian and Nepalese rural co-ops that ensures fair pay and flexible work-from-home opportunities.
Source: Girlfriend Collective
Best for activewear: Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend Collective is the go-to for plus-size activewear, outerwear and athleisure pieces, with its line-up of recycled leggings and workout gear offered in sizes up to 6X. Committed to supply chain transparency, the American brand has made public its entire production process, from production in Taiwan, where recovered plastic bottles are turned into their new yarns, to the workers who sew together the material to make their minimalist leggings, sweats, windbreakers and sports bras.
Source: Mara Hoffman
Best for swimsuits & statement pieces: Mara Hoffman
Looking to stand out in a crowd or at the beach? Check out Mara Hoffman, whose collection is made from natural, organic and recycled materials like hemp, Tencel and cotton (even the tags and labels are made from 80% recycled paper printed with soy-based inks) and boasts an extended-size line up to 3X. Expect to be wowed by the brand’s stand-out ready-to-wear pieces and gorgeous swimsuits, two-pieces and beach dresses.
Source: Warp + Weft
Best for denim: Warp + Weft
What’s a wardrobe without a good pair of jeans? Powered by their brand ethos of “inclusivity, sustainability, affordability”, Warp + Weft wins as one of the best sustainable plus-size denim makers out there. The range is incredible to ensure that every woman gets the perfect fit with more than 75 different sizes, body types and cuts – sizes run from 00 to 24. All their stretchy jeans and denim jackets are made ethically and sustainably from materials like lyocell and cotton sourced from the Better Cotton Initiative, sewn together at the UNDP social equality-compliant factories in Pakistan.
Source: Hours
Best for jackets & outerwear: Hours
New York-based upcycled plus-size brand Hours is great for outerwear pieces, from sleek-cut jackets to relaxed cardigans and on-trend “cardi-dresses”. All their pieces come in at least three to four shades, from deep reds and purples to dark blue, mustard yellow and earthy brown, and sizes range 14 to 28. Minimalist in design, these garments are meant to stay as wardrobe staples that last from one season to the next, and are sustainably made from upcycled fabrics in their WRAP-certified local mills in China and packaged in 100% recycled and recyclable paper (totally plastic-free!).
3Mins Read Swedish oat milk giant Oatly has indicated it could be seeking a public listing in Hong Kong, shortly after registering its planned IPO on the Nasdaq stock exchange with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Blackstone-backed company says it will pursue a Hong Kong listing in the case of any “material adverse effect” […]
3Mins Read Sylven New York, the Brooklyn, New York-based female-founded sustainable luxury footwear brand, is launching its first-ever plant-based leather sneaker. Made from vegan apple and coconut leather, The Mel makes its debut on Earth Day, coinciding with the brand’s founder Casey Dworkin’s birthday and her personal journey to veganism after participating in the famous Veganuary movement […]
3Mins Read Indigenous people from Brazil and Colombia have filed a lawsuit against French supermarket chain Casino for selling beef linked to deliberate deforestation and land-grabbing in the Amazon rainforest. It represents the first time that a retailer in the country has been taken to court over deforestation under the French law holding companies to account over […]
3Mins Read Atlas Monroe, the Black woman-owned Los Angeles startup that turned down a US$1 million investment on Shark Tank, is now set to become the largest manufacturer of plant-based fried chicken. Acquiring a multimillion dollar facility in San Diego, the firm will be churning out a whopping one million pounds of its vegan fried chicken by […]
