The Hamburg-based, Infinite Roots, has developed mycelium technology to produce a healthy meat substitute from mushrooms. "We produce our basic raw material from the root system of edible mushrooms to imitate meat with just a few additives and without flavourings or emulsifiers," said Anne-Cathrine Hutz, joint founder, during FIC. Infinite Roots uses the thread-like root network, known as mycelium, which has all kinds of nutrients, vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants and other bioactive compounds. Thanks to this approach, the startup raised USD 58 million from international investors including Dr Hans Riegel Holding (HRH), the EIC Fund and the Rewe Group in January.
Meat losing importance amid vegan trend - novel food creations subject to EU approval
A multitude of Hamburg-based companies are now focusing on food and preferably without meat, according to Statista. "Alternatives to conventional meat such as plant-based substitutes, in-vitro meat and insect food are becoming increasingly important." The production of vegetarian and vegan substitutes has doubled to 121,600 tonnes between 2019 to 2023, which was welcomed during the Food Innovation Camp (FIC) in June. More meat-free options ease the switch to a vegetarian diet, which has both personal benefits and for the overall population. "High meat consumption leads to e.g., obesity, diabetes and heart attacks, which puts a strain on the healthcare system and our economy," said Dr Matthias Riedl, Medical Director of Medicum, who is also a nutritionist. Additives are frequently used to create convincing meat imitations. But when meat substitutes become artificial, they become unhealthy," he warned.
Using mycelium technology to replace meat
Novel Food Regulation
However, Infinite Roots has to meet the requirements of the EU's Novel Food regulation before launching on the market. The same applies to the Bluu Seafood's products. The food biotech startup, a spin-off of the Fraunhofer IMTE, cultivates fish cells in a bioreactor and has put Europe's first pilot plant into operation in Hamburg-Altona this year. Founders Sebastian Rakers and Simon Fabich cite the ocean as an inspiration that needs to be protected. Overfishing is putting a strain on stocks and aquaculture is polluting the ocean. Fish fingers and fish balls produced from Atlantic salmon or rainbow trout cells, on the other hand, do not contain antibiotics or any artificial flavourings, but are high in omega-3 fatty acids. The startup is now targeting the U.S. and Singaporean markets.
Thirst for mineral water
Mineral water is healthy, and the General Nutrition Centre recommends drinking at least 1.5 litres a day. However, shoppers often reach for the bottle of fizzy water on the supermarket shelf. Matthias Riedel and Roman Gilz from Hamburg want to shake up this market with their Bloody Water in recyclable cans. Brand ambassador Bülent Ceylan, a German comedian and metal fan, promotes their must-have "Drink or Die" mineral water in a can bearing a giant fish skeleton. The website warns: "Be careful. Drinking our water may have unexpected side effects. You may feel a strange presence watching you or have vivid nightmares that haunt you for days." Clearly, this particular product is taking healthy eating to a new level.
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