As the new year gets underway, we’re balancing momentum with reflection – and this week delivers a bit of both.
We begin with a sobering reminder of how fragile this sector can still be. One of the most closely watched cultivated meat players saw its collapse deepen as legal proceedings moved forward, freezing claims and reshaping what happens next for creditors, staff, and the wider ecosystem.
From fallout to frameworks, attention then turns east. A major food-tech market edged closer to formal rules for cultivated foods, publishing draft safety guidelines that hint at how future approvals might work - and what developers will need to demonstrate to get there.
Scientific progress, meanwhile, continued quietly but meaningfully. New peer-reviewed research showed improved digestibility in cell-cultivated meat proteins, adding fresh data to a debate that increasingly hinges on nutritional performance as much as technical feasibility.
Zooming out, we explored why mycoprotein is entering 2026 with confidence rather than hype. With scale-up lessons learned and applications broadening, fungi-based proteins appear to be settling into a more mature, commercially grounded phase.
Back on shelf, whole-food plant-based took another step into the mainstream. A premium, minimally processed burger expanded its UK retail footprint, signaling continued interest in cleaner labels and deeper umami – but will that be enough to reignite growth?
That question sits at the heart of a broader reflection on 2025 itself. After a year of correction across plant-based food, the focus is shifting from expansion at all costs to consequences – for brands, investors, and product strategy alike.
Finally, a global lens. A new international report mapped how veganism is understood, practiced, and commercialized across regions, revealing sharp contrasts between values, diets, and market realities. One movement, many meanings.
As ever, plenty to unpack. Let’s get into it.
Enjoy reading, and as always, let us know which developments you think will have the biggest impact next.
Blueprint for the future
From 170 expert-nominated companies to 26 public-chosen standouts, PPTI's 2026 Food Techs to Watch cohort captures the momentum and direction of global food innovation. Benjamin Reygate, Lloyd Fuller, Nick Bradley & Dawn Sizemore profile the technologies and pioneers shaping what comes next for a planet under pressure
Breakout bets
Every deck has its cards that change the game. Selected by PPTI’s editorial team, these 11 companies surfaced repeatedly in 2025 through reader engagement, technical originality and early signals of scale. These are our ‘Wildcards’…
We’re back next year – and this time we’re heading to the USA. The Future of Protein Production Chicago, co-located with the Cultured Meat Symposium, will take place 24-25 February 2026 and is set to bring together 500 attendees, 100 speakers, and +40 exhibitors. Expect two days packed with insights across cultivated meat, fermentation, plant-based innovation, and scale-up solutions – plus unbeatable networking with industry leaders, investors, and innovators. Book your tickets today to secure the best rate.
Then in the autumn, we return to Europe for The Future of Protein Production Amsterdam, taking place 4-5 November 2026. This flagship event will welcome 1,000 attendees, 100 speakers, and +60 exhibitors, all gathering under one roof to explore the breakthroughs shaping the next wave of alternative protein commercialization. From technical deep dives to strategic discussions, this is where the global industry meets. Reserve your place now to lock in the lowest rate.
🎙️💡 Listen to the latest episode now! This week, we speak with Silvia Soragni, Category Manager for Savory Ingredients at Lallemand Bio-Ingredients, who breaks down why yeast-based proteins are becoming one of the most versatile tools in food formulation. From clean-label appeal and processing stability to surprising applications across dairy alternatives and beyond, it’s a must-listen for anyone tracking what’s next in functional protein.🎙️💡
Share your insights with +16,500 industry leaders!
Our weekly newsletter reaches more than 16,500 industry professionals, with engagement rates that consistently exceed industry standards.
Want to showcase your expertise to this growing community? Consider writing a guest article, Innovation Insight, or thought-leadership piece for our website and magazine.
📩 Interested? Email us at [email protected] and let’s discuss how we can feature your insights! 🚀
Do you enjoy PPTI News?
If you like our content, we think you will love these too…
