19 Oct 2022
What started as a grassroots effort against animal cruelty has transitioned into the food revolution. Today consumers make choices that are both good for them and sustainable for the planet. They associate plant-based with health, but also more and more with sustainability, making plant-based alternatives - food of their choice. According to the research conducted by Spoonshot for Puratos, health, sustainability and animal welfare are the key drivers of plant-based trend. Online conversations on sustainability in the context of plant-based have grown at twice the rate (37.5%) of plant-based & health (15.8%) in the last 12 months, making sustainability an important topic to consider.
Plant-based is one of the fastest-growing segments in the food industry. Consumers feel the need to change! Plant-based product launches in bakery & patisserie are on a consistent increase. We are looking at the number of product launches in bakery & patisserie in the past 10 years: Bakery is growing by 32% year on year and patisserie products by an amazing 24%[1].
Plant-based: healthy and sustainable?
So are plant-based solutions healthier? Health is the main reason why consumers opt for a plant-based option. 56% of consumers believe plant-based food is healthier than animal-based food[2]. In some countries changes in dietary patterns are only just emerging, while in others this trend is increasing rapidly. Nevertheless, the evidence on the long-term health impacts of vegetarian and vegan diets remains incomplete[3]. Thus, switching from an animal-based diet to a plant-based diet is not enough for a perfectly healthy diet. On the other hand, privileging plant-based balanced meals is a great step towards good health. It is seen in hundreds of studies that increased consumption of plant-based foods such as wholegrains, pulses, fruits, and vegetables, has been associated with a lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and other health conditions[4].
And in terms of sustainability, 60% of consumers say that plant-based food has a positive impact on the environment[5].
They believe that by switching to a more plant-based diet, they can not only better the livelihood of themselves and animals, but also make the world a better place as they recognize animal products often use increasingly more resources than plant-based products. Many studies and forecasts have shown that shifting away from animal-based products can significantly reduce carbon emissions, water usage, and waste.
Join us and make a positive tomorrow, today!
In response to a growing consumer concern for animal welfare and demand for plant-based alternatives identified by Taste Tomorrow survey , bakers increasingly source more sustainable products in an effort to reduce their environmental impact. Our Plant-based portfolio allows the creation of delicious baked goods by replacing eggs, butter and other dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives so that customers and consumers can experience the joy of doing good without compromising on taste, texture, quality or safety.
As a responsible food company with a commitment to having a positive impact on the health and well-being of society and the environment, Puratos actively promotes sustainability throughout the entire value chain. Thanks to the Life-Cycle Assessments (LCA) initiative we offer complete transparency of the entire product life cycle, which shows the difference you and your customers can make by choosing our plant-based alternatives. LCAs measure the environmental impact of a product throughout its life cycle, from the sourcing of all raw materials and resources to end of life. We started off with the LCA analysis of the pioneering Plant Forward product range of plant-based dairy, egg, and butter replacement solutions. The results have been astonishing
Replacing butter, eggs, and milk might not seem easy in baking. To help you begin we’ve gathered our top plant-based bakery, patisserie, and chocolate solutions here.
