At the Fi Europe 2023 exhibition held in Frankfurt from November 28 to 30, BENEO unveiled the next stage of its plant-based product development program. Building on its successful acquisition of Meatless BV last year, the ingredients manufacturer plans to expand its portfolio of semi-finished products in early 2024 with plant-based beef bites and minced meat. from the Meatless ® brand . Through its highly innovative technology, BENEO offers manufacturers an adaptable and efficient way to tap into the plant-based trend, with alternative products with an authentically moist, beef-like texture.
With 76% of European meat substitute consumers saying they are very interested in plant-based beef substitutes, demand is strong. The new solution provided by BENEO helps manufacturers meet this consumer demand for substitute products with a good beef taste, while providing them with semi-finished products that are easy to process, with a simple and short list of ingredients. Additionally, thanks to BENEO’s energy-efficient processing technology, these plant-based beef alternatives are not only tasty, but also have sustainability benefits.
Available in frozen form, Meatless ® plant-based beef bites and ground meat are made from mycoprotein and pea protein, and enhanced with coloring to give them an authentic appearance. Thanks to their stability under high heat and their water retention capacity, the products remain juicy and succulent, even when baked or fried. Meatless ® plant-based beef bites are ideal for stir-fries or stews, while Meatless ® plant-based ground beef is easily used in lasagnas, marinades and sauces.
Niels E. Hower, member of the Executive Board at BENEO, explains: “In a world with an ever-increasing population, efficient food production is not only a necessity for food security and environmental protection. ; it is also an economic imperative. We are excited to be at the forefront of new plant-based product developments. And due to strong consumer interest, we have made the decision to expand our range of affordable plant-based solutions to also include alternatives to beef that can be easily integrated into existing manufacturing processes. The meat substitute market primarily focuses on replacing chicken or processed beef applications, such as burgers or meatballs. Also, the arrival of Meatless ® plant-based beef bites and minced meat offers manufacturers an even wider range of choices.”
