Last Week in Foodtech – Week Of February 26

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There is so much innovation happening in the food and beverage world today that it’s often hard to keep up. That’s why each week we’ll be bringing you highlights of the latest research and developments in food technology, new products, and food and beverage trends affecting the industry in Canada. 

Here’s a few stories you should know about: 

Alternative protein manufacturer Beyond Meat has launched its fourth-generation burger and beef recipes, the Beyond IV platform, which features an enhanced nutritional content, cleaner labels and a simplified ingredient list. 

  • The burgers use avocado oil, and contain 60% less saturated fat and 20% less sodium than previous versions, with a juicer texture. 

  • The new recipes increase protein content to 21 g per serving, and include red lentil and faba bean protein. 

  • Beyond IV is the first plant-based meat product that is Clean Label Project certified. 

The Canadian Impact: The alternative protein market in Canada continues to evolve, as manufacturers gauge issues such as consumer demand, price sensitivity, and nutritional concerns. Expect to see more plant-based and plant/cellular food hybrid proteins enter the market coming years. 

For more on the topic on YODL: An Interview with Land Lovers 

 

Protein Industries Canada is investing in Avena Foods to create new oat and pulse ingredients for food companies Big Mountain Foods, Danone Canada and Old Dutch. The plant-based proteins will replace some ingredients and processing aids. 

  • Avena Foods will produce sustainable, specialty-milled oats and pulse flours, as well as creating specialty-milled pulse grits, meals, and flours for each customers’ processes. 

  • The new ingredients will allow companies can offer consumers innovative and allergen-friendly alternatives with added functionality and higher nutritional content. 

  • The participating food companies plan to use the new ingredients to develop snack options and reformulated products, including yogurt, plant-based beverages and creamers, veggie links, pastries, and more. 

The Canadian Impact: According to Bill Greuel, CEO of Protein Industries Canada, investment in ingredient manufacturing is an untapped economic opportunity for Canada, especially with crops such as pulses and oats. 

For more on the topic on YODL: A Q&A with Lovingly Made Ingredients 

 

The Canadian Space Agency has chosen five innovative Canadian food products to be added to the menu of the Artemis II and Starliner-1 International Space Station missions, both taking place in 2025. 

  • All products are already available at Canadian retailers. Packaging has been redesigned for some products that allow them to be connected to a water dispenser. 

  • Chosen products include cereal, a shrimp and rice entrée, smoked salmon, maple syrup, and maple cream cookies. 

  • To be considered for space missions food must have a long shelf life, won’t create a lot of crumbs, and are easy to prepare and eat in space. Dehydrated products are often used as there is no refrigerator or freezer. 

The Canadian Impact: Canadian companies are innovating with new processes, ingredients and foodtech to develop products that catch consumer interest with added nutrition, convenience, creativity or functionality.