Unilever is driving innovation in dairy and meat substitutes.
LONDON: A bit early in the year, Unilever PLC has begun to make resolutions for the new year. The multinational food and beverage company announced on November 18 that it has set a target to sell $1 billion worth of plant-based dairy and meat substitutes over the course of the next five to seven years. Wall’s, Magnum, Hellmann’s, and The Vegetarian Butcher are among the brands that will be included in the effort.The business stated there are health and environmental benefits to eating a diet high in plant-based meals and low in animal-sourced foods, citing a 2019 EAT-Lancet report.
Hanneke Faber, president of Unilever’s Foods & Refreshment Division, stated, “As one of the largest food companies in the world, we have a critical role to play in helping to transform the global food system.” It is not our place to dictate to others what they should or should not eat, but it is our responsibility to ensure that everyone has access to plant-based, healthier options. These are audacious, ambitious goals that show our dedication to being a positive influence.
Unilever has made strides on diversifying its line of meat and dairy substitutes. In 2018, the company expanded the brand into over 30 countries after acquiring The Vegetarian Butcher. The company was selected as Burger King’s provider of plant-based Whoppers and plant-based nuggets nationwide last year.Ben & Jerry’s and Magnum both have an expanding range of plant-based product offerings. A vegan mayonnaise option is available from Hellmann’s.
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The Hive, a food innovation center at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, received a €85 million investment from Unilever in 2019 to fund research into efficient crops, plant-based ingredients and meat substitutes, sustainable food packaging, and nutrient-dense food.
Unilever has established additional targets, such as halving food waste in its direct global operations from factory to shelf by 2025—five years ahead of schedule—and tripling the number of products providing good nutrition worldwide by the same year. The firm defines “positive nutrition” as foods that have significant amounts of fruits, vegetables, proteins, or micronutrients like iodine, zinc, iron, and vitamins. Unilever will carry on as well.
“To ensure that everyone is fed without depleting the planet, the average person’s daily diet will need to change drastically during the next three decades,” stated Jessica Fanzo, co-author of the EAT-Lancet report and a Bloomberg Distinguished Associate Professor of Global Food & Agricultural Policy and Ethics at Johns Hopkins University. We may start to address these issues by enhancing food production and habitats, changing eating patterns, and cutting down on food waste. With food products that are more cheap and easily accessible for their customers, Unilever is demonstrating its commitment to supporting individuals in making dietary adjustments.