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Canadian meat giant Maple Leaf debuts new plant-based burger

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Re: Canadian meat giant Maple Leaf debuts new plant-based burger

#41
post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd also disagree with - People who want meatless products aren't buying meat so they're an expansion opportunity. I think that's a fair assessment. I think that the desire to eat meat-like products is much lower than a lot of people assume in vegetarian/vegan people. Products like Seitan and other "meat texture" items have always done poorly when compared to vegetarian/vegan offerings that simply omit any meat-like…

Disagree about GF bread. I have celiac disease and enjoy many varieties of GF bread and other products. In fact I take people to a completely gluten free restaurant and they almost never know anything is different. A lot has changed since the gluten free fad started that has benefitted celiacs.

This is a bit odd but my wife is being tested for this now due to her frequent migraines - when it was wheat gluten only pure rye breads were working pretty well but she's been reacting to that as well... do you have advice on particular brands or offerings?

Re: Canadian meat giant Maple Leaf debuts new plant-based burger

#42
post #11

Semi-related, but the Beyond Meat burger at Canadian fast-food chain A&W has been a big hit too, it seems. I got one at a mall recently and was amazed that everyone in line at the time was there to try the beyond meat burger. There’s a serious appetite for this stuff so I’m glad to see a big meat company paying attention.

You should give the Impossible Burger a try as well, it's even more meat-like and has a great taste. Both burgers recently announced 2.0 versions of their products so there's a lot of excitement in the field of plant-based meat.

Re: Canadian meat giant Maple Leaf debuts new plant-based burger

#43

Off Topic: another example of egregious capitalization! Is "Canadian meat giant Maple Leaf debuts new plant-based burger" easier on the eyes? Or should proper nouns be wrapped in quotes when part of a headline?

Is English not your first language? Titles are supposed to be capitalized

Re: Canadian meat giant Maple Leaf debuts new plant-based burger

#45
post #36
post #12

> its non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free pedigree may give it a leg up on its competitors It's still not organic however, which makes it significantly less appealing for me. Since Beyond and Impossible don't seem to be organic either, they all have the same "pedigree", FWIW. The packaging ratio for Beyond has always bothered me too. I believe it's recyclable, but it seems like a lot of plastic and cardboard relative to t…

But it's a good proof of concept of the technology which could easily be remade into an organic version. And the cheaper price afforded by not using organic practices might help speed up adoption to a point where organic versions could become more cost-efficient.

I'd agree to a point, but it might be even more difficult to make the shift once the supply chain and pricing settles into place, particularly for restaurants that are already taking a risk on this as a new category.

Re: Canadian meat giant Maple Leaf debuts new plant-based burger

#46

Very encouraging news for our environment to see a meat producer actively debut a non-meat product that will actively take away from meat sales. Reminds me of Kodak. Where Kodak did not embrace digital early enough, and then many years later was bankrupt.

Very encouraging news for our environment to see a meat producer actively debut a non-meat product that will actively take away from meat sales. Reminds me of Kodak. Where Kodak did not embrace digital early enough, and then many years later was bankrupt. I think that’s a fanciful comparison. More likely they worked the numbers and realize two things. First, the people most likely to buy meatless products weren’t par…

I don't think it at all fanciful, or just about PR. More about future proofing, or to use a cliche, hard headed business.

We have to reduce meat consumption as we understand the impact on climate change, and as ever more of the world gains a developed life. Meat consumption needs to trend like smoking.

I'd happily dump most of my meat eating if decent alternatives were out there. Those that I have tried so far are a distinctly second rate experience. I haven't yet managed to try any of these new generation. No matter how good their meat free product who would switch meat supplier on the strength of it? They're separate, just brands in the portfolio.

If means small, sustainable, organic meat production as a rare luxury is all that's left, great. Just as it used to be. Perhaps just a goose at Christmas. One day even that won't be necessary.

Re: Canadian meat giant Maple Leaf debuts new plant-based burger

#47
post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Disagree about GF bread. I have celiac disease and enjoy many varieties of GF bread and other products. In fact I take people to a completely gluten free restaurant and they almost never know anything is different. A lot has changed since the gluten free fad started that has benefitted celiacs.

This is a bit odd but my wife is being tested for this now due to her frequent migraines - when it was wheat gluten only pure rye breads were working pretty well but she's been reacting to that as well... do you have advice on particular brands or offerings?

Interesting... she has no issues with weight loss or GI issues, but gets migraines? Is this bread she’s eating, rye or otherwise, a brand name or is it made in a local bakery? If it’s the latter she might be reacting, not to gluten, but the yeast. Some people with migraines find that tyrosine is a potent trigger, and yeast is a rich source of tyrosine. Especially if the bread is sourdough, as opposed to off-the shelf white or wheat, you’d potentially see a difference

Re: Canadian meat giant Maple Leaf debuts new plant-based burger

#48

> meant to be more like beef I hate tastes like X concept. I don't care if doesn't taste like beef, it never works, our brain is way too smart to fall for this kind gimmicks. Surprise me with new products, tell me whats in it straight up. I really hope this "tastes like meat" trend dies.

"Uncanny valley" is the effect at work, likely. But about your point on the brain not falling for it... there is evidence that it can be done for foods. Just take a look at how many drinks and sweets contain artificial flavors.

Re: Canadian meat giant Maple Leaf debuts new plant-based burger

#49
post #42
post #11

Semi-related, but the Beyond Meat burger at Canadian fast-food chain A&W has been a big hit too, it seems. I got one at a mall recently and was amazed that everyone in line at the time was there to try the beyond meat burger. There’s a serious appetite for this stuff so I’m glad to see a big meat company paying attention.

You should give the Impossible Burger a try as well, it's even more meat-like and has a great taste. Both burgers recently announced 2.0 versions of their products so there's a lot of excitement in the field of plant-based meat.

Yes, I've tried Impossible too at a couple of places and am a fan. My favorite was Umami Burger's Korean-style toppings.

Re: Canadian meat giant Maple Leaf debuts new plant-based burger

#50
post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

First, the people most likely to buy meatless products weren’t part of their existing customer base, so there is no cannibalization. I'd like to suggest that the term "cannibalization" should be used gently when applied to a meat company. [ I would also like to take a look at your comment in terms of assertions because I'm having a hard time parsing it. - People who want meatless products aren't buying meat so they'r…

I'd also disagree with - People who want meatless products aren't buying meat so they're an expansion opportunity. I think that's a fair assessment. I think that the desire to eat meat-like products is much lower than a lot of people assume in vegetarian/vegan people. Products like Seitan and other "meat texture" items have always done poorly when compared to vegetarian/vegan offerings that simply omit any meat-like…

> Products like Seitan and other "meat texture" items have always done poorly when compared to vegetarian/vegan offerings that simply omit any meat-like ingredients

Hm... do non-vegetarians/vegans actually prefer these newer "meat texture" items over the classic veggie ones?

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