How Food Manufacturers Can Meet
Changing Demands For Alternative
Proteins
As consumer demand for new, innovative foods continues to increase, manufacturers have one question on their minds: “What’s next?”
With so much growth in the alternative meat and dairy product categories, all eyes are now shifting to finding new protein sources. Over the past few years, synthetic brands like Impossible and Beyond Meats have become mainstays at grocery stores and restaurants. Even the fast food industry has begun adding plant-based meat alternatives to their menus. But what if plant-based meat is only the beginning? Manufacturers need to invest in the proper systems to remain competitive as there’s more and more wide-spread demand for pure plant protein, and even
a growing interest in insects
Why Alternative Protein?
Why do so many consumers seem interested in giving up traditional meat? Here are some of the leading factors shaping the landscape:
Consumers demand sustainable food.
Consumers demand cruelty-free food.
The vegan movement, once on the fringes of society, is
now mainstream. While environmental concerns are certainly tied to the movement, more and more consumers are also frustrated with how animals are treated, and they’re no longer buying into the happy farm images on product packaging.
Governments and NGOs want sustainable food.
It’s not just consumers who want to see more alternatives to meat and dairy products on the market. Government agencies and nonprofit organizations are advocating for an increase in more sustainable food that can meet the needs of a growing population without negatively impacting the environment. Preserving the farmland and water resources that otherwise go to factory farming are crucial to feeding future generations. States like California are even investing in
academic research into alternative protein.
Governments are promoting nutritional balance.
The Rise of Insect Protein
According to new research, the
plant-based protein segment of the market was the largest share of the total global alternative protein market. As plant-based proteins become normalized, manufacturers need to be aware of what’s coming next: insect protein.
Crickets are expected to account for the most growth in edible insects, as they are easy to farm and full of protein.
Currently, in Western countries, insects are either a delicacy, a matter of heritage, or a novelty. They’re certainly not a major staple in the diet, as the general public regards bug eating with a “yuck” factor. But, recent food trends toward meat alternatives suggest that consumers could be open to incorporating bugs into their diets.
While it’s not vegan, insect eating offers many of the same benefits as plant-based proteins. For starters, bugs have a
high nutrient density, including B vitamins, essential amino acids, fiber, iron, and even omega-6s and omega-3s. They’re also more environmentally friendly to cultivate than traditional livestock farming. Insects take a
fraction of the resources to farm than animals, even though they produce higher yields. Some specialists even argue that adopting more insect protein will mitigate carbon emissions.
PLM: Your Hive Mind For Developing Alternative Protein
In the coming years, there’s going to be a mad dash from brands trying to cash in on the insect protein craze. How can product developers match the growing market demands so they don’t get left behind? You need to make innovation cycles as smooth as possible so there is more opportunity for testing new recipes. That’s where product lifecycle management (PLM) comes in.
Revalize helps innovators develop and manage new formulas in the cloud with a PLM platform that serves as a communication hub and central database for every aspect of your product development. Plus, the software even helps stakeholders manage packaging design,
marketing, sales, and every other part of each product’s lifespan.
