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San Francisco-based vegan dog food brand V-planet has announced that its 100% plant-based kibble products are now available in Japan for the first time. Partnering with Wholefoods, Inc., a Kyoto-based distributor of plant-based foods, V-planet says that the launch marks a major step forward in making animal-free pet food options more widely available in Japan as it continues to make significant inroads into the Asia market.
Announced in early November, V-planet has now made its vegan dog food products available in Japan through Japanese distributor Wholefoods. The brand’s cruelty-free kibble, made in Canada with vegan non-GMO ingredients such as peas, ground oats, brown rice and potato protein, will be sold in two sizes – mini bites for small dogs and a larger version for medium and large dogs. All its products contain no corn, soy or wheat, and are nutritionally complete for dogs.
Speaking about the launch, Lindsay Rubin, the vice president of V-planet said: “Currently, the plant-based pet food options in Japan are limited, so we are very excited to bring a completely balanced vegan and pet-approved alternative for pet parents who are increasingly concerned about animals and the planet.”
Plant-based pet food options in Japan are limited, so we are very excited to bring a completely balanced vegan and pet-approved alternative for pet parents.
Lindsay Rubin, Vice President of V-planet
“We are very pleased to partner with V-planet. As a vegan, a plastic surgeon and a dog mom, I knew there had to be a healthier alternative for my pets than the food that was available,” added Dr. Harue Suzuki, president of Wholefoods, who established the distribution channel with local raw vegan chef Akiko Fukuyama.
The latest expansion into Japan marks the plant-based company’s continued growth across Asia and other international markets. Since its inception in 2005, V-planet is now available in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand. Outside of the Asia-Pacific region, it has also gained a presence in Israel, Canada and Panama.
“As the global demand for nutritionally-balanced vegan pet food increases, V-planet is positioning itself to meet the need through international partners,” said the company in a release.
As a vegan, a plastic surgeon and a dog mom, I knew there had to be a healthier alternative for my pets than the food that was available.
Dr. Harue Suzuki, President of Wholefoods, Inc.
While V-planet is focused on bringing plant-based dog food solutions, another company, Bond Pet Foods hopes to make animal-free protein-rich pet foods that are identical to conventional animal-based products. The Boulder, Colorado-based biotech recently debuted its first cultivated chicken pet food prototype, grown using a chicken cell which was then coupled with a strain of food grade yeast to grow in a fermentation tank.
Once fully developed, the startup says that its cultured chicken protein will boast the same primary nutritional value of conventional chicken meat, including essential amino acids, and says it plans to launch its first chicken-based products by 2023.
Lead image courtesy of V-planet.
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