Tofurky

We’ve entered a new era of consumer goods, wherein brands have introduced such over-the-top innovations and collaborations in recent years that it has become nearly impossible to discern legit launches from April Fools’ prank products.

Tofurky, a leading manufacturer of lip-smacking plant-based meats in the U.S., will showcase three enticing new products at Expo West 2024: a fresh take on the American favorite, Plant-Based Pepp’roni, as well as an extension to the brand’s beloved plant-based sausage line, with new flavors Mango Chipotle and Chorizo.

Last week Turtle Island Foods, which makes Tofurky and Moocho, was acquired by a subsidiary of multibillion dollar company Morinaga Milk Industry Co. With a purchase price of over $50M, the deal came as CEO Jaime Athos said the company was “facing a lot of challenges.”

Morinaga Nutritional Foods, a subsidiary of Morinaga Milk Industry Co, has acquired Turtle Island Foods, the producer of Tofurky and alt-dairy line Moocho, putting the Japanese-owned company in control of one of the leading plant-based meat brands in the category.

Tofurky, the leading independent producer of plant-based meats in the U.S., announced that CPG industry expert Jeff Schulkers has joined the executive team as the company’s new Vice President of Operations.

The Good Food Institute, Animal Legal Defense Fund, and The American Civil Liberties Union have secured a court order that finds an Arkansas food label censorship law unconstitutional and permanently blocks enforcement of the law against Tofurky for its use of terms like “sausage” and “burger” when accompanied by terms like “vegan” or “plant-based.”

The Plant Based Food Association has created a new nonprofit arm, dubbed the Plant Based Food Institute, to address industry-related policies and effect change along every step in the industry’s value chain.

In this week’s Checkout: Eat Your Coffee sells to a Chicago-based private equity firm; A Louisiana court sides with Tofurky on labeling legislation; Lenny & Larry’s teams up with the San Diego Zoo; and Upfield voluntarily discloses methane emissions.

Tofurky, the leading independent producer of plant-based meats in the U.S., and sister brand Moocho, leveling up dairy-free comfort foods, will both showcase flavor-packed additions to their lineups at Natural Products Expo West 2022.

Plant-based meat brand Tofurky has joined efforts with the Plant Based Food Association (PBFA) to take on an Oklahoma meat alternative labeling law that went into effect last year. Last week, Tofurky became the latest producer to challenge the law, after Upton’s Naturals and the PBFA failed in their initial challenge, which framed the law as a First Amendment violation.

In this week’s Checkout, Ripple CEO Laura Flanagan discusses the company’s latest funding round and previews its new soft serve line; Tofurky and Triton Algae Innovations partner to make algae-based meat products; Banza unveils new partnerships; the strike at Mondelez’s Nabisco manufacturing and distribution facilities comes to an end; and General Mills reports its fiscal 2022 Q1 results.

What’s next for plant-based brands? Chicken nuggets, it seems. Chicken is the most-consumed meat in the country, according to the USDA, and nuggets, like burgers, are an easy stepping stone for meat eaters to transition to a plant-based diet. They’re also particularly appealing to families and younger consumers, fit right in on restaurant menus, particularly fast food, and most importantly, are cheaper to make than other product types.

Last week, plant-based cheese and butter maker Miyoko’s Creamery emerged victorious in what could be a landmark legal case for dairy and meat alternative CPG brands. Citing the company’s first amendment rights, a California judge ruled the company can continue to use terms such as “butter,” “lactose-free” and “cruelty-free.” However, while the case could provide plant-based brands with some much needed legal precedent to defend the practice of using meat and dairy terms on their labels, the fight ahead is anything but cut and dried.

Whether it’s taste or growing costs, consumers have long had to consider sacrifices in order to protect the environment. Now a brand is sacrificing precious label space for the same goal, even minimizing its own brand name and other front-of-pack callouts to promote sustainability. With its bold new packaging for its plant-based burger hitting retailers this month, alt-protein brand Tofurky is effectively putting its branding on the line to ask sustainability-minded consumers to take the next step beyond plant-based purchases, encouraging environmental advocacy through civic engagement.