Upfield, a plant–based food producer has announced a strategic partnership with Alternative Foods London (Alternative Foods/OGGS), a UK-based egg alternative producer and leading vegan bakery. The partnership includes Upfield taking a minority stake in Alternative Foods.
The partnership is also seen to provide an opportunity to accelerate towards a more sustainable, natural plant-based food system for both companies. Upfield and OGGS will work together to expedite the growth of the already leading egg-alternative products by leveraging Upfield’s global distribution network and food service channel, Upfield Professional.
Through continuous innovation using natural ingredients, consumers are being given access to more allergen-free and sustainable options. According to a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Upfield’s margarines and spreads have, on average, a 70% lower climate impact, occupy two-thirds less land and use less than half the water, while its plant-based cheeses have less than half the climate footprint. OGGS has undertaken a similar LCA assessment for Aquafaba and Scrambled OGGS which were found to have less than 70% Co2e in comparison to chicken eggs. This proves that plant-based alternatives to the non-vegan equivalents are the climate friendly choice for consumers.
Speaking on the partnership, David Haines, Group CEO for Upfield said, “Our vision for ‘A Better Plant-Based Future’ means we are dedicated to ensuring consumers have a range of choices to try plant-based diets. This partnership takes us into a new category of plant-based protein, enables us to offer even more options and we expect strong, sustainable growth. We have been aware of the innovative technology that OGGS has been perfecting and we’re excited to become part of that and help drive the plant-based egg category forward through the combination of our global footprint and growing food service sector.”
On behalf of Alternative Foods, Hannah Carter, Founder and CEO of Alternative Foods, added, “We are on a mission to remove unnecessary animal products from the food chain to improve the planet and animal welfare; the use of animal products that don’t provide nutritional benefit, such as egg white in bread. Our Egg Alternative range offers consumers tasty plant-based egg alternatives, and OGGS provides food service and manufactures a viable liquid egg alternative for the first time, no longer limiting innovation.