Nestlé is exploring emerging technologies to understand the potential of future meat alternatives and more environmentally friendly products.
The company is evaluating innovative technologies to produce cultured meat or cultured-meat ingredients with several external partners and start-ups.
For example, scientists at Nestlé Research in Lausanne are working with Future Meat Technologies, a leading cultured-meat start-up, to explore the potential of cultured-meat components that do not compromise on taste or sustainability.
Future Meat Technologies’ novel and cost-efficient proprietary technology can produce non-GMO cultured-meat components from animal cells, therefore reducing the need for land and resources to raise animals.
Reinhard Behringer, Head of the Nestlé Institute of Material Sciences at Nestlé Research says: “For many years we have been investing in our protein expertise and the development of proprietary technologies for plant-based meat alternatives, allowing us to continuously expand our wide range of tasty and nutritious products with a lower environmental impact.
“To complement these efforts, we’re also exploring technologies that could lead to animal-friendly alternatives that are nutritious, sustainable, and close to meat in terms of taste, flavour, and texture. We are excited to understand their potential.”
People are increasingly reducing or eliminating animal products from their diet for many reasons including animal welfare, health, and wellness as well as environmental concerns. This has led to the rapid growth of plant-based meat and dairy alternatives.
Providing people with delicious, nutritious, and sustainable plant-based products is a priority for Nestlé. Today, the company offers a wide range of meat and dairy alternatives that are suitable for flexitarians, vegans, vegetarians, as well as people with special dietary needs.
By exploring breakthrough technologies, Nestlé is showing a strong innovation drive and openness towards novel concepts. This will help the company to continuously transform its portfolio with products that are good for people and the planet.