Webinar Recap: Rethinking Food: APAC as a Living Lab for the Future | update #15
The recording of our recent webinar, “Rethinking Food: APAC as a Living Lab for the Future,” is now available on the vegconomist YouTube channel. This session explored the transformative role the APAC region is playing in the future of food innovation. Moderated by Nadine Filko, the webinar brought together a diverse panel of experts: Megumi Abigail Yoshitomi, President of the Japan Association for Cellular Agriculture; Byron Perez, Programme Doctorate at …
Meta-Analysis Reveals the Key Factors That Determine Willingness to Consume Cultivated Meat
A new meta-analysis published in the journal Trends in Food Science & Technology has identified key factors influencing people’s willingness to consume cultivated meat. 48 studies were analyzed, identifying 22 predictors. The most significant factors related to consumer perceptions were: Price is also likely to be a significant factor, with some studies indicating an unwillingness to pay extra for cultivated products. However, less data is available in this area, particularly …
Government Actions in the Alternative Protein Industry: Key Developments in H1 2025
The alternative protein industry continues to draw attention from governments worldwide, with a mix of investment support and regulatory measures shaping its growth. The data in this article, compiled by Nicholas Dahl, founder and CEO of Alternative Proteins Global, reflects actions taken by governments in the first half of 2025, impacting companies working in alternative protein technologies. This update focuses on direct government involvement and regulatory actions. Investments & funding …
Opalia Announces “First Ever” Commercial Supply Agreement for Cell-Based Dairy
Canadian cell-based dairy producer Opalia has announced a strategic commercial agreement with major dairy ingredient provider Hoogwegt. The deal is claimed to be the first ever commercial supply agreement for cell-based dairy, and will run for the next two years (2026-2027). The collaboration aims to create sustainable cell-based dairy products and showcase their versatility and global opportunity. Opalia’s proprietary cell-based dairy manufacturing technology will be combined with Hoogwegt’s expertise in …
7 Fermentation Companies Paving the Whey to a Cow-Free Dairy Industry
Following our recent summary of producers making alternatives to casein protein, below is a roundup of the companies using cutting-edge technology to make whey proteins with microbes; bypassing cheesemaking to retire cows from the dairy business. Whey proteins, derived from the whey or the liquid portion of milk that separates during cheese production, are known for their rapid absorption and high branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which play an essential role …
Cultivated Meat: Approvals and Prohibitions Since Singapore’s Pioneering Step in 2020
Since Singapore became the first country to approve cultivated meat in 2020, a favorable regulatory environment has been growing in some nations while others have opted to ban the technology. Currently, worldwide, 174 companies are developing cultivated meat from cells, rather than farming animals or fishing. This milestone signifies a major achievement for an emerging industry that has had to build practically everything from the bottom up. Today’s summary highlights the world’s …
2023 GFI Reports: Cultivated Meat and Fermentation Industries Growing Despite Drop in Investments
The Good Food Institute has released the 2023 State of the Industry Reports for the alt protein industry. These annual reports provide a global analysis of each sector’s commercial landscape, investments, scientific progress, and government and regulatory developments. The following are the top highlights in cultivated meat and fermentation for 2023, providing an overview of the key developments in these industries. The complete reports can be found here. Cultivated Meat …
A Deep Dive into the Role of 3D Scaffolds as the Building Blocks for Cultivated Meat
In addition to scaling and cost hurdles, cultivated meat production faces the unique challenge of developing final products that meet the consumer’s expectations of conventional animal-based meat, including larger pieces akin to whole cuts. However, most prototypes are made from ground meat and do not look exactly like whole cuts. Why is this the case? 3D scaffolds Companies in the space are experimenting with 3D structures or scaffolds to recreate …
Vivici Partners with Ginkgo Bioworks to Expand Portfolio of Sustainable Dairy Proteins
Vivici, a Dutch B2B ingredients startup utilizing precision fermentation, and Ginkgo Bioworks, a cell programming and biosecurity platform, have announced a strategic partnership to advance the production of sustainable animal-free dairy proteins. Focusing on meeting the increasing global demand for sustainable and appealing proteins, Vivici utilizes precision fermentation techniques to create animal-free dairy proteins with microorganisms. Ginkgo Bioworks is set to enhance the partnership with its protein production services and …
Has Cultivated Meat for Pet Food Really Been Approved in EU? The Complicated Story of Bene Meat (and Others in the Space)
Two weeks ago, a press release was widely distributed by Czech startup Bene Meat Technologies, titled “Bene Meat Technologies is the first company in the world to be licensed to produce and sell cultured meat as dog and cat food” The release stated, ” On 7.11.2023, the Czech startup Bene Meat Technologies (BMT) won the world championship to produce and sell cultured meat for PET FOOD needs. With the certification …