The Hamburg-based Infinite Roots start- up has come up with "mycelium technology" to produce a healthy meat substitute from mushrooms. Speaking during FIC, Anne-Catherine Hutz, joint founder of Infinite Roots, said: "We produce our basic raw material from the roots of edible mushrooms to imitate meat. We need only a few additives and no flavourings or emulsifiers." The company uses the thread-like network of the mushroom or mycelium, which contains all kinds of nutrients, vitamins, mineral, antioxidants and other bioactive compounds. Thanks to this approach, the start-up raised USD 58 million from international investors including Dr Hans Riegel Holding (HRH), the EIC Fund and the REWE Group in January.
Healthy eating comes with surprises
More and more food Hamburg-based start-ups are focusing on a future without meat, according to Statista. “Alternatives to meat such as plant-based substitutes, in-vitro meat or insect food are gaining momentum." Since 2019, the production of vegetarian and vegan substitutes in Germany has roughly doubled to 121,600 tonnes in 2023. This positive development means the more meat-free options, the easier the switch to a vegetarian diet becomes, delegates at the Food Innovation Camp (FIC ) in June agreed. This has benefits for the individual and the population as a whole. "A high meat consumption leads to e.g., obesity, diabetes and heart attacks, which puts a strain on the healthcare system and the economy," said Dr Matthias Riedl, Medical Director of Medicum Hamburg, and warned against additives used to imitate meat. "When meat substitutes become artificial products, they become unhealthy."
Using mycelium technology to replace meat
Novel Food Regulation
However, Infinite Roots has to meet the demands of the Novel Food Regulation before launching on the market, as the production of novel foods is subject to EU approval. The same applies to products by Bluu Seafood, a spin-off from the Fraunhofer IMTE, that cultivates fish cells in a bioreactor and recently put Europe's first pilot plant into operation in Altona. Its founders, Sebastian Rakers and Simon Fabich, are on a mission to protect the ocean as overfishing, and industrial aquaculture is polluting the seas. Fish fingers or fish balls produced from the cells of Atlantic salmon or rainbow trout, on the other hand, are free of antibiotics and artificial flavourings, but are high in omega-3 fatty acids. The start-up now aims to launch on the markets in the U.S. and Singapore.
Demand for mineral water
Drinking mineral water is definitely healthy and the German Centre for Nutrition recommends drinking at least 1.5 litres of water daily. Matthias Riedel and Roman Gilz, founders of the Hamburg-based Bloody Water are launching mineral water in recyclable cans on the market. Their brand ambassador, comedian and metal fan Bülent Ceylan, uses the logo with a skeleton of a fish to promote their “Drink or Die” slogan. And the website warns: "Be careful: drinking our water can have unexpected side effects. You may feel like you are being watched by a stranger or have nightmares that haunt you for days.” Healthy eating may involve more than you bargained for.
ys/pb
Sources and further information
More
Similar articles
More and more food events in Hamburg
AI revolutionising hospitality sector
foodactive shaping future of food
