Prepared Foods highlights a few examples of how the evolution in protein applications is extending across food and beverage categories.

The partnership is focused on driving down the cost of New Culture's animal-free casein protein, unlocking commodity pricing including for New Culture's first product, mozzarella for pizzerias.

"By growing Truly Grass Fed into a new retail category, we are able to reach new customers who are looking to include plant-based products in their diet, need non-dairy alternatives or just want to enjoy the delicious taste of our pure, creamy oat milk,” said Jaclyn Crabbe, marketing director for Truly Grass Fed.

Globally, food and drink launches containing microalgae experienced average annual growth of more than 40% during a recent three-year period. Trends in plant-based proteins from the sea—as well as new technologies to produce seafood without the sea—also overlap with our second 2024 trend, “Nurturing Nature.” Indeed, both seafood companies and technology innovators can be ocean guardians.

"Babybel Plant-Based has seen an overwhelmingly positive response to-date among flexitarian and vegan shoppers," said Ridhi Barber, senior brand manager at Babybel. "We wanted to continue this momentum and introduce a second dairy-free Babybel snack option in the fan favorite White Cheddar variety."

Alternative proteins, which include cultivated, plant-based, and fermentation-derived proteins, represent an opportunity to reduce risks and improve the efficiency of meat production, while offering consumers the meat-eating experience they crave. Rethinking how meat is made can decrease emissions, protect human health, ensure food security for all, and maintain and improve biodiversity. Good Food Institute is calling on governments around the world to invest $10 billion each year in R&D and commercialization to deliver the full benefits of protein diversification.

UPSIDE announced that it has developed a breakthrough chicken cell line for use in suspension cell culture that could substantially reduce the cost of production for these ground meat products.

Alongside pioneering players, Bel intends to accelerate the development and marketing of products incorporating alternative proteins, to contribute to a new food model to feed 10 billion people by 2050 while limiting the environmental impact of its value chain.

The companies will work toward accelerating New Culture’s food service and consumer applications with the support of ADM’s broad portfolio of product development resources and capabilities.

WOO's nougat is made with Perfect Day's animal-free whey protein. Perfect Day's proteins are made through precision fermentation, which uses up to 99% less water and produces up to 97% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than does traditional dairy.