Dutch family business Schouten Europe has launched plant-based chicken and beef pieces in a bid to contribute to the transition of global food systems that rely more on plants than on animals. 

Globally, reducing meat consumption is seen as one of the most critical pillars in combating climate change. Beef production, in particular, harms the environment, notes the company.

The CO2 footprint of food is enormous. Recently, entrepreneur and millionaire Bill Gates called on rich countries to commit to a transition to “100 percent plant-based beef consumption” to contribute to reducing climate change. 

No compromises?
With Schouten’s latest plant-based concepts, the company adds two important beef and chicken alternative products to its product range. 

“There were already various chicken and beef pieces on the market, but we knew they could be improved upon,” says Niek-Jan Schouten, the company’s R&D director.  

“With these kinds of products, it is essential that the consumer doesnt have to compromise on flavor and texture. We have worked hard to produce products that we expect to become more popular than real chicken and beef.”

High-protein concepts
Schouten’s plant-based chicken and beef pieces contain 18.3 g and 22.7 g of protein per 100 g respectively, and are made with plant-based proteins from soy, wheat and peas. The chicken pieces do not contain any soy, says the company. 

The products are also low in saturated fat and salt and are easy to incorporate into various dishes. In the coming months, Schouten will be presenting the products to interested parties worldwide within the retail, out-of-home channel and food processing industry. 

“We are adding these products to our range, and we are sure that we can contribute to the global shift toward plant-based diets,” Schouten adds. 

“Plant-Forward” thinking trending 
In line with Innova Market Insights number two trend for this year, “Plant-Forward,” is a natural evolution of previous trends: The Plant Kingdom in 2019 and The Plant-based Revolution in 2020. 

Over the years, plant-based innovation has continued to diversify across many food and beverage areas. This trajectory is expected to grow significantly as consumers opt for healthier and more sustainable food products. 

An Innova Consumer Survey 2020 indicated that the top four reasons for considering plant-based alternatives were health, diet variety, sustainability and taste. 

More specific and tailored meat alternatives have been in the headlines recently. Last month, FoodIngredientsFirst reported that global markets are continuing to open up for hybrid formulas made with both animal-based and alternative proteins, driven by expanding consumer preferences for an “extra level of sophistication.” 

Alternative proteins are also a hot topic. Some of the latest rollouts in protein innovation include nutritional yeast, algae-based alternative seafood, defatted nut powders, heat-stable whey and sweetness-enhancing “designer proteins.”