Top Stories
Fungal stem fiber improves texture of soy-based meat analogues. A study published in Food Research International found that dietary fiber extracted from Tremella fuciformis stems—a by-product of edible fungi processing—can significantly improve the fibrous structure and texture of high-moisture soy protein extrudates used in plant protein analogues. Incorporating 10% dietary fiber by weight increased springiness by nearly 126% and the anisotropy index by about 36%, while promoting β-sheet protein formation and more orderly protein assembly. The researchers suggest this approach offers both a pathway for valorizing edible fungi processing waste and a method for improving the structural quality of plant protein products. (sciencedirect.com)
Armored Fresh launches yeast protein drinks in the US under PIILK brand. Armored Fresh has launched PIILK, a line of ready-to-drink protein beverages made with naturally fermented, non-GMO yeast protein, in direct-to-consumer channels in the United States. The drinks, available in chocolate and café latte flavors, are formulated with seven ingredients and contain no carrageenan, emulsifiers, or artificial sweeteners or flavors. The brand claims a PDCAAS score of 1.0 for its yeast protein source and is offering trial packs and subscriptions through piilk.com. (preparedfoods.com)
BSF Enterprise confirms London share admissions and corrects warrant disclosure. BSF Enterprise PLC, a London-listed developer of tissue-engineered materials including lab-grown leather and cell-cultured meat, has confirmed the admission of 38.5 million new ordinary shares to trading on the London Stock Exchange's Main Market and is progressing the delayed admission of a further 4.725 million shares from an April 2025 placing. The company also corrected a prior disclosure error regarding broker warrants, now confirmed at 2.31 million, and stated its total voting rights stand at 166,874,437 shares. BSF Enterprise's market capitalization sits at approximately £3.13 million. (theglobeandmail.com)
FOI documents reveal severe food safety failures at plant linked to deadly listeria outbreak. Freedom of Information documents obtained by The Canadian Press detail previously undisclosed infractions at a Pickering, Ontario, facility operated by Joriki, which packaged plant-based milk under the Silk and Great Value brands. The inspection, conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency between June and August 2024, found peeling paint, ceiling condensation in pasteurization areas, accumulated garbage, and a failure to list listeria as a hazard or test finished products for the pathogen. The outbreak resulted in 20 reported illnesses, 15 hospitalizations, and three deaths. Food safety experts criticized the CFIA for not inspecting the facility more frequently, while Danone Canada and Walmart Canada settled a $6.5-million class action in November 2024 with affected consumers. (canadianunderwriter.ca)
Agri Stats and Greater Omaha settle in meat workers' wage suppression case. A federal court in Denver granted preliminary approval of settlement agreements with data consultancy Agri Stats and meat processor Greater Omaha Packing in a class action alleging that 15 meat processors and two consulting firms conspired to suppress wages in violation of the Sherman Act. Greater Omaha agreed to pay $100,000 and produce structured compensation data, while Agri Stats committed to eliminating specific data fields from pork processing reports and providing historical data. The settlements cover a class of meat workers employed at beef and pork processing plants across the continental United States from 2000 through early 2024, with the court finding the class met all requirements under Rule 23. These are the latest in a series of settlements that have now resolved claims against all but a handful of the original defendants, with prior settlements involving JBS, Tyson Foods, Cargill, National Beef, and others. (vitallaw.com)
Greece eases Lesvos cheese ban amid foot-and-mouth crisis. Greece's rural development minister pledged to partially lift a ban on cheese sales from Lesvos after meeting with local livestock breeders protesting restrictions imposed following the island's foot-and-mouth outbreak—the country's first in 25 years. The government has approved €8 million in emergency compensation for dairy companies and plans to send additional veterinarians and a field crisis management team. The outbreak compounds an ongoing sheep and goat pox epidemic that has led to nearly 500,000 animals being culled since August 2024, though the government has rejected EU-recommended vaccinations, citing potential harm to Greece's roughly €1 billion annual feta export market. (ekathimerini.com)
Beyond Meat stock surges on New York beverage distribution deal. Beyond Meat shares rose 15.2% after the company announced a distribution partnership with Big Geyser, one of the largest non-alcoholic beverage distributors in the United States, to bring its Beyond Immerse functional beverage line to more than 26,000 outlets across the New York metropolitan area. The deal marks a significant shift from direct-to-consumer online sales to broad retail and foodservice distribution. The rally followed a difficult period for the company, which recently reported a 19.7% year-over-year revenue decline in the fourth quarter and issued first-quarter guidance well below analyst expectations. (theglobeandmail.com)