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Category: India

  • Alt Co. Secures $1 Million For Indian Smart Protein Growth

    4 Mins Read

    Bengaluru-based Alt Co. has confirmed a $1 million raise led by undisclosed major investors from Singapore, the Middle East and India. The plant-based brand intends to use the cash injection to increase its size, reach and product portfolio. Chief amongst new product developments is a line of alternative dairy. Plant-based eggs and nutritional supplements have also been mentioned.

    Ahead of launching its recent fundraising effort, Alt Co. secured a new presence in retail outlets and saw an uptick in online sales. With money in the bank, the startup intends to keep connecting with fellow food and beverage companies, while investigating new R&D opportunities. The end goal is to become the leading plant-based innovator within the APAC and APMEA regions. 

    Zoning in on growing plant-based trends

    Alt Co.’s plant-based dairy alternatives plans have been mapped out- they include ice creams, yoghurts, hot chocolate and chocolate bars, there is a focus on sweet treats. These will sit alongside its existing oat drink in a bid to move consumers towards healthier plant-based foods.

    “More and more of us are realizing every day the importance of sticking to a healthy diet, a diet that takes nature as its inspiration,” Basan Patil, Co-Founder, Alt Co. said in a statement. “We at Alt Co. have been going out of our way to ensure that Indians have meal options that are animal-friendly and dairy-free, and have been incredibly heartened by the response to our products.”

    The $1 million raise has been heralded by Alt Co. as an opportunity to keep living up to its ‘green aisle philosophy’. It states that consumers of all ages should have access to sustainable, healthy and animal-free foods that are enjoyable to eat.

    No details have been released regarding the new ranges, but they are anticipated to be oat-based. 

    Photo by Sylvia Bartyzel at Unsplash.

    India wants more plant-based dairy

    “The appetite for plant-based dairy is growing rapidly and gaining acceptance all over the world, and is now picking up in India as well,” Varun Deshpande, Managing Director, GFI India said in a statement. “The plant-based dairy sector in India is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.7%, which will triple the industry’s current market size by 2024. With companies like Alt Co. expanding their product ranges and continuing to create alternatives to dairy that are better tasting, better for you, and better for the planet, we’re confident that these projections will hold true.”

    In a move that will potentially strengthen India’s relationship with animal-free dairy, Perfect Day was recently confirmed as the winning bidder in an auction for Mumbai-based Sterling Biotech. The Californian alt-dairy giant has acquired three manufacturing plants within India, as part of the deal. No plans have been released for the facilities but it is anticipated that the locations will support India-specific and Asia-wide expansion while reducing operational costs.

    Photo by Imagine Meats.

    Growing demand for Indian plant-based products

    The domestic alternative protein sector is growing in India. From collaborations with global names, as seen in Tata Starbucks’ partnership with Imagine Meats, to new developments, a lot is happening. Approximately 50 companies are thought to be engaged in product development.

    Novolutions just announced it is expanding from mocktail drinks into the vegan meat market. The foodtech startup has made its market debut with new brand Just Dig In!, across New Delhi. The plant-based range is currently focussed on chicken analogues, distributed by Modern Bazaar.

    In April, BVeg Foods announced it is working with Switzerland’s Bühler. The latter is supplying high moisture extrusion equipment that will allow BVeg to create what it calls ‘indistinguishable’ vegan meat for Indian consumers. The startup will construct a specialist production facility for enhanced protein manufacturing. The move has been made to capture more realistic meat textures, to sway consumers toward plant-based eating.

    Lead photo by Alt Co.

    The post Alt Co. Secures $1 Million For Indian Smart Protein Growth appeared first on Green Queen.

    This post was originally published on Green Queen.

  • Passenger can be deboarded from aircraft for not wearing a mask

    Aviation regulator issues directions for compliance on mask rule

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • PTI-USA hold an emergency meeting over blasphemy by BJP spokesperson.

    New York:

    An emergency meeting of PTI-USA and it’s all chapters was held under the Chairmanship of President Munir Khatana.

    Presenting a one-point agenda, General Secretary Sam Khan said that the purpose of holding today’s meeting was to strongly condemn the BJP spokesperson’s Nupur Sharma blasphemy and the future course of PTI-USA in this regard. The process has to be decided.

    Munir Khatana, while initiating the meeting, strongly condemned the insolence and sought everyone’s opinion in this regard. After hearing the views of all the participants, at the request of Sam Khan, President of New York Amjad Nawaz presented a resolution which was passed unanimously.

    This resolution said that PTI-USA and all its chapters strongly condemned the blasphemous statement of the Nupur Sharma, spokesperson  of the Indian extremist organization BJP. The resolution called on the Indian government and the BJP to terminate the membership of Nupur Sharma and announce a full ban on her for life.

    The resolution also demanded that the Indian government write a formal apology from the BJP to assure it that this heinous act would never happen again which would offend millions of Muslims in the world. The resolution also demanded that the Indian government write a formal apology from the BJP to assure it that this heinous act would never happen again which would offend millions of Muslims in the world.

    We will play its key role in this regard at all domestic, social, human rights and international forums by following the agenda of protection of Prophet hood of their leader Imran Khan, PTI USA assured.

    Imran Khan raised his voice in every international forum including the United Nations for the honor of the Prophet and with these efforts the United Nations presented the Respect for the Prophet, PTI workers added.

  • Ominous economic distress in India: No buying power, no jobs, rising prices

    Recently released estimates of India’s economic output show that people are not spending enough. The only reason this can be is because they do not have sufficient income, and their buying power is limited. On the other hand, prices of all essential commodities are increasing at a disturbingly high rate. This will further restrict spending. Industrial production has grown at snail’s pace, and with people not having enough to spend, demand will continue to be low and industrial output too will languish. Bank credit for large industries is growing very slowly. So, prospects of any check on raging unemployment continue to be bleak because there is unlikely to be a fresh investment that would create jobs.

    The post Ominous economic distress in India: No buying power, no jobs, rising prices appeared first on PopularResistance.Org.

    This post was originally published on PopularResistance.Org.

  • Protest call against the blasphemy outside Indian Consulate in New York.

    Web Desk:

    A spokesman of India’s ruling party BJP recently made derogatory remarks about the Holy Prophet (PBUH) during a discussion with a host on a television channel, to which the Islamic world reacted strongly.

    They demanded a public apology from the Indian government for the insolence of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and a boycott of Indian products.

    A strong wave of grief and anger swept in the American Muslims over a BJP spokesman’s offensive remarks based on the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H).

    Muslims in the United States have decided to protest outside the Indian Consulate in New York on Friday at 4 p.m.
    Many Muslim and Pakistani political and social organizations, including ICNA, MAS, and MUNA, will also take part in the protest.

    Organizers have called on the Muslim community to join the protest against the derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (PBUH).

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • UP: Boy kills mother as she stops him from playing PUBG, hides body for 2 days

    The boy was addicted to the online game and could not take his mother preventing him to play it, so he shot her dead

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • Fresh challenge in SC over Places of Worship Act 1991

    PIL claims three sections ‘legalising’ temple razing to build mosques

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • Centre amends rule for appointment of CDS, retired officers in fray

    This is for the first time that retired Lts. General, Air Marshals and Vice-Admirals will also be eligible for the post of CDS

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist held in Bengaluru

    Hussain had fled J&K with his wife and children as the hunt for him was intensified by the armed forces, and was hiding in Bengaluru

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • Rahul Gandhi visits Moosewala’s house in Punjab

    Security has been tightened outside the residence of Moosewala in the wake of Gandhi’s visit

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • Punjab ex minister Dharamsot held on graft charges; Congress terms it ‘vendetta’

    State Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja asked CM Bhagwant Mann to let the law take its course and not resort to ‘kangaroo court justice’

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • Like Congress, BJP shifts Rajasthan MLAs to a resort before RS polls

    The ruling Congress has fielded three candidates from the state for the Rajya Sabha

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • Starbucks India Partners With Imagine Meats To Cater For Growing Demand For Vegan Foods

    4 Mins Read

    Starbucks India has announced it is partnering with domestic alt-protein producer Imagine Meats on a range of vegan menu items to be served at the coffee chain’s stores. Already confirmed are sausage croissant rolls, hummus kebab wraps and croissant buns. Stores across 10 locations will receive the plant-based options, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Jaipur and Goa, amongst others.

    The coffee chain, a 50:50 joint venture between Tata Consumer Products and Starbucks, operates 270 stores across India. It is one of the latest to embrace the burgeoning appetite for vegan food within India. Imagine Meats brings a built-in celebrity following with it- the brand was founded and is backed by Bollywood husband and wife duo Ritesh and Genelia Deshmukh. 

    Photo by Imagine Meats.

    Catering to a growing demographic of vegans

    Tata Starbucks cites the increasing demand for vegan products as the driving motivation behind its new partnership. CEO Sushant Dash has acquiesced that although still in the nascent stage, the market for plant-based alternatives is predicted to reach between ₹200-300 crore. Seeking to get in on the ground floor, the company aims to cater to the experimental palates of consumers seeking to try veganism.

    “It is about giving consumers the choice and about catering to the segment which is growing,” Dash has previously commented.

    Hyderabad, Kolkata, Noida, Gurugram and Pune join the likes of Mumbai and Delhi in getting the new menu items. 

    Photo by Hamza Inayat at Unsplash.

    Imagine Meats as the right strategic partner

    Domestic alt-protein developer Imagine Meats was originally launched to coincide with the Ganesh Chaturthi festival last year. The celebrity-founded startup was founded to create a diverse selection of vegan meats and ready meals to cater specifically to Indian tastes. As such, keemas and kebabs have been developed alongside more standard offerings such as nuggets and burger patties. Imagine Meats use pea protein as the base ingredient. The founders have previously noted that this is key to satiating meat cravings. 

    Last September, the startup revealed it was keen to forge partnerships with other companies. The announcement of a working relationship with Tata Starbucks indicates growth plans are being realised. The partnership has been a year in the making.

    “That Tata Starbucks is following Starbucks internationally in a show of trust towards a fledgling category and enabling consumer choice for smart protein is hugely important, and will no doubt drive further investment from other Indian business houses,” Varun Deshpande, managing director of the Good Food Institute India said in a LinkedIn post.

    Starbucks’ chequered history with vegan consumers

    On the face of it, Starbucks has been proactive in embracing vegan consumers, at least with its food options. Last year saw the global coffee chain unveil new plant-based menu items in the Middle East and well as Indonesia. Hong Kong has enjoyed plant-based food options since 2020, when it partnered with Impossible Foods. Since then, the coffee giant has partnered with local leaders OmniFoods on new items. 

    More recently, the chain’s unwillingness to unilaterally drop its plant milk surcharge has led to celebrity pleas and in-store protests. In April, Sir Paul McCartney made a personal request of the then-outgoing Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson. In a direct letter, McCartney revealed his shock and disappointment that the surcharge was still in existence, especially given that U.K. and Indian locations had taken the decision to cull it. The request was not fulfilled.

    Image by Starbucks.

    In May, actor James Cromwell staged a ‘glued-in’ protest at a New York Starbucks location. The vegan activist, noted for turning fully plant-based during the filming of Babe, led the charge to end the plant-milk surcharge by supergluing his hands to the serving counter in a central location. The protest was coordinated by PETA, of which Cromwell is the honorary director.

    “My friends at PETA and I are calling on Starbucks to stop punishing kind and environmentally conscious customers for choosing plant milks,” Cromwell said at the time, in a press release from PETA. “We all have a stake in the life-and-death matter of the climate catastrophe, and Starbucks should do its part by ending its vegan upcharge.” 

    To date, no plans to drop the surcharge have been announced by Starbucks globally. 

    Lead image by Imagine Meats.

    The post Starbucks India Partners With Imagine Meats To Cater For Growing Demand For Vegan Foods appeared first on Green Queen.

    This post was originally published on Green Queen.

  • Supreme Court gave the Telangana state government two weeks to pay the Rs 2.5 lakh

    The costs were imposed because the then government had issued the GO to provide 100 per cent reservations

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • Defence min nod to buy military equipment worth Rs 76,390 crore

    The proposals cleared on Monday are under ‘Buy (Indian)’, ‘Buy and Make (Indian)’ and ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’ categories

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • Indian banks, rupee must play key role globally: Modi

    The Prime Minister also launched the “Jan Samarth portal”, a credit-linked portal of 13 government schemes

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • India rejects OIC’s comments over controversial remarks against Prophet

    EAM spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India categorically rejects the OIC Secretariat’s ‘unwarranted and narrow-minded comments’

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • BJP Sunday suspended Nupur Sharma

    Ms Sharma’s remarks against Prophet Muhammad, during a television debate had created controversy

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • Congress is not taking any chances in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections

    The elections to the upper house will be held on June 10

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • In The Centre Of Global Warming

    May 15 this year came as a timely warning that India is in the center of the global warming crisis. On this day the maximum temperature crossed the 47 degrees Celsius limit in about 20 cities, mostly in northwest and central parts of the country. These cities also figured in the table of the hottest cities at world level on this day.

    Most of these cities and the surrounding countryside have been figuring prominently also in the longer heat waves which have been experienced since early April.

    Six of these cities are located in the Thar desert or the area close to it. These include Jaisalmer, Phalodi, Pilani, Churu, Bikaner and Ganganagar.

    Four other cities are concentrated in a region of 13 districts known as Bundelkhand in Central India which saw temperature reaching 49 degrees C in Banda.

    The post In The Centre Of Global Warming appeared first on PopularResistance.Org.

    This post was originally published on PopularResistance.Org.

  • Fourth accused arrested in Hyderabad rape case, one still absconding

    Telangana Home Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali has promised that no leniency is being adopted in the Hyderabad gang-rape case

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • India’s forest cover grown by over 20,000 sq km in last eight years: PM Modi

    India’s efforts to protect environment multi-dimensional, said Prime Minister Modi

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • Body spray ads with ‘rape jokes’ draws Centre’s ire

    Youtube, Twitter asked to take down videos immediately

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • Government asks states to phase out single use plastics

    The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has issued a detailed advisory to States and UTs to take up a range of activities from June 5

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • J&K high court seeks action against ‘unauthorised’ news portals

    A division bench of the court comprising Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice D. S. Thakur on Saturday closed a PIL regarding this

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • UP: 36 arrested, 3 FIRs registered in Kanpur violence

    The violence started after some people tried to shut down shops which was opposed by the other group

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • Minister: West has squeezed every source of oil India had access to

    The minister was speaking during an interview at the Globsec 2022 Forum at the Slovak Capital Bratislava where he is on an official visit

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • ‘US minority report biased, ill-informed’

    The controversy was triggered after the US State Department released a ‘Report on International Religious Freedom 2021’

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • Indian team to visit Kabul for first time in Taliban region

    A visiting team led by senior diplomat J.P. Singh held talks in Kabul on Thursday with senior Taliban leaders

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • Kashmir target killings: Bank manager from Rajasthan shot dead in Kulgam

    In May, seven persons including three policemen and four civilians fell victims to unabated target killings in the Valley

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.