The Week In Food Tech: Tyson-Backed First Pride Launches in Singapore, Beyond Meat Expands

Just a few short years ago, it was unusual to get more than a handful of stories each week about meat analogues, dairy alternatives, and other alt foods. Nowadays, the opposite is true. In fact, there are so many developments in the alt-protein and food tech space we decided to create a weekly column that gathers all the various bits of news out there into one single place for easy reading. 

This week: Tyson-backed alt-protein company First Pride launches a range of products in Singapore, US fast-casual chain Just Salad starts a reforestation initiative, and Beyond Meat expands yet again.

Beyond Meat’s chicken tenders head to US retail shelves

Beyond Meat’s Chicken Tenders, which the alt-protein company introduced this summer, are set to expand to retail with nationwide in the U.S. The company is also increasing the accessibility of all of its plant-based products at Walmart stores in the US, increasing placement there by 70 percent.

Just Salad supports MasterCard’s reforestation plans

US-based fast-casual chain and sustainable restaurant trailblazer Just Salad has joined MasterCard’s Priceless Planet Coalition (PPC), which has a goal to restore 100 million trees by 2025. To support the initiative, Just Salad has launched a new menu item, Earth Bowl; its proceeds will go towards the reforestation effort.

HOWND unveils a vegan porridge for UK dogs 

Just ahead of World Porridge Day on October 10, British vegan dog food company Hownd has released a new plant-based offering for pups: the Fresh Blueberry & Coconut Porridge with Chia & Oats. The vegan recipe is available via the Hownd site as well as at select retailers in the United Kingdom.

NOBLE Jerky expands across Canada

Plant-based products by NOBLE Jerky are now available in Walmart stores across Canada. The company, also based in Canada, says the expansion will help expand the brand’s healthy product offer to the numerous loyal Walmart Canada customers throughout the country.”

First Pride launches alt-meat line in Singapore

Tyson-backed alt-protein company First Pride has launched its Green Series, with products now available in Fairprice stores in Singapore. The series includes First Bride bites, nuggets, and strips, all chicken analogues made with the company’s blend of wheat, soy, and bamboo coating.

Crystal Jade and Green Monday debut new vegan meal at Singapore restaurants

Iconic Asian dumpling and noodle chain Crystal Jade has once again collaborated with sustainability pioneer Green Monday to add new dishes to its menus, this time in Singapore after similar successful partnerships in Hong Kong. Vegan meals that use plant-based proteins including OmniPork, Beyond Meat and Heura are now available at the Lion City’s Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen and Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao. 

Better Nature now delivering vegan Tempeh to your door in the UK

Vegan meat and plastic-negative brand Better Nature has partnered with UK-based grocery delivery app Jiffy to deliver its Tempeh products to customers. From September 29, anyone in London will be able to order Better Nature products through the Jiffy app, which promises deliveries in 15 minutes.

Motif Foodworks launches ‘heme-binding’ protein in US

Boston, Massachusetts-based Motif Foodworks currently has a GRAS (generally recognized as safe) determination pending with the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for its heme-binding protein called myoglobin. According to the company, the protein can deliver the flavor and smell of real meat. 

UK Survey: more kids want vegan diets

A new survey of 1,000 UK children from BBC Good Food found that 8% of children are currently following a vegan diet and of those that don’t follow a vegan diet, 15% would like to. Nearly half of children polled, 44%, also said they would like to see no plastic packaging on their food in the future. 

Lead image courtesy of Beyond Meat.