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Impossible Foods raises $200M in fresh funding

reuters.com

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Re: Impossible Foods raises $200M in fresh funding

#11

Post by pvarangot »

Alupis wrote: post #4
ArkVark wrote: post #3

Why not just eat the soy beans directly? This stuff is just glorified processed food.

Probably because a hamburger is tasty? It's an open secret things like "Impossible Meat" and others are really not healthy for you - certainly not a healthier alternative than just eating beef. They are higher in calories, and contain a lot more oils. Instead, it's for people who wish not to eat meat for whatever reasons (personal choice, religion, etc)... and now they can have a tasty alternative at the next Backyar…

They have lower cholesterol than regular meat and are lower in nitrates, and consumption of those is associated with behavioral issues.

But yeah the macro-nutrient composition of this meat substitute patties is as unhealthy as meat as they are very high in fat. The sodium content is also really high so they don't help with high blood pressure issues.

Re: Impossible Foods raises $200M in fresh funding

#12

Post by techsupporter »

garblegarble wrote: post #7

Great! While I do think plant-based diets are at their most delicious and healthy when they don't try to imitate animal products, I think it's a reality that many people (who want to avoid/minimise animal products) don't want to change the type of food they eat, just the components. I've really been enjoying the Burger King impossible burger - they've much better texture, flavour and juicyness compared to Burger King…

> I've really been enjoying the Burger King impossible burger - they've much better texture, flavour and juicyness compared to Burger King's beef patties

I like the Impossible Whopper as well and I'm more than a little put out that all of the Burger King stores around me are closed to people who do not have a car. Almost all other foodservice places have reopened for walk-up takeaway but the two Burger King places I can easily get to have stubbornly insisted on remaining car-driver-only.

Re: Impossible Foods raises $200M in fresh funding

#14

Post by redisman »

jariel wrote: post #9
Alupis wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Probably because a hamburger is tasty? It's an open secret things like "Impossible Meat" and others are really not healthy for you - certainly not a healthier alternative than just eating beef. They are higher in calories, and contain a lot more oils. Instead, it's for people who wish not to eat meat for whatever reasons (personal choice, religion, etc)... and now they can have a tasty alternative at the next Backyar…

Cost. As soon as this is materially cheaper than meat it will become the 'filler' used on so many burgers, taco places etc. and they'll do it without telling customers. Then so many people who would otherwise 'not like this stuff' have to internalize the fact 'they are already eating it widespread'. And even more directly, 40% of consumers are extremely price sensitive (think dollar store) and will buy the cheapest t…

I agree that's the only realistic way it will replace meat in the short-medium term. Besides - replacing the garbage-level-meat (your average cheap hamburger, sausage, nuggets, etc.) that provides most of meat-based calories to the masses with this would be better for everyone and then you can still have your grass-fed steaks and such every now and then without having millions of cows polluting the place.

Re: Impossible Foods raises $200M in fresh funding

#15

Post by techsupporter »

jariel wrote: post #10
garblegarble wrote: post #7

Great! While I do think plant-based diets are at their most delicious and healthy when they don't try to imitate animal products, I think it's a reality that many people (who want to avoid/minimise animal products) don't want to change the type of food they eat, just the components. I've really been enjoying the Burger King impossible burger - they've much better texture, flavour and juicyness compared to Burger King…

"I think it's a reality that people don't want to change the type of food they eat, just the components." Why do you think this is true? Why would people who enjoy a good burger want to change anything about it, and why would someone proclaim that 'most people do want to change it'?

> Why would people who enjoy a good burger want to change anything about it

If you are eating the burger specifically and solely for the beef, perhaps you don't. But for many people "cheeseburger" is a unit of food all on its own and the patty inside is more of a toppings-and-condiments delivery device. So if there's a plant-based substitute that's mildly healthier (Impossible is not a "low calorie, low sodium, low fat" substitute by any means) and a lot better on the environment, I suspect OP is correct. Many people would switch, or at least not mind the switch as much.

Re: Impossible Foods raises $200M in fresh funding

#17

Post by mrpigeonpants »

I've been using their meat in things like pastas and tacos and it's slightly tastier. The thing that hit me is that we consume so much meat in a heavily processed way that it seems silly a creature should have to suffer and die to make it. I'm all for aged steaks and prosciutto in moderation, but a large portion of the meat is consumed in nugget or other forms that don't really respect the sacrifice of the animal or pollution created.

Re: Impossible Foods raises $200M in fresh funding

#18

Post by actuator »

Are there any variants of plant based products which could compare to extremely high protein/calorie ratio foods, foods like egg white and chicken breast.

The ones I have eaten/seen till now seem quite bad if you look at the overall composition. Sure, they have decent amount of protein from the legume they come from but the overall composition is not good. There are certain variants of Tofu with low fat/carb count but I don't know of any other besides supplements.

Re: Impossible Foods raises $200M in fresh funding

#19

Post by thelazydogsback »

I'm not a vegetarian, but also think that killing an animal when there's another option should be avoided -- and when I grill the IB's, they taste just like meat and even pass the 12 yo test. (The key is on the grill - fried up, not as good.) I'd love to see the time when we all eat meat only as a special occasion (bacon that's just as convincing, I will definitely be celebrating!

Re: Impossible Foods raises $200M in fresh funding

#20

Post by Alupis »

jariel wrote: post #9
Alupis wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Probably because a hamburger is tasty? It's an open secret things like "Impossible Meat" and others are really not healthy for you - certainly not a healthier alternative than just eating beef. They are higher in calories, and contain a lot more oils. Instead, it's for people who wish not to eat meat for whatever reasons (personal choice, religion, etc)... and now they can have a tasty alternative at the next Backyar…

Cost. As soon as this is materially cheaper than meat it will become the 'filler' used on so many burgers, taco places etc. and they'll do it without telling customers. Then so many people who would otherwise 'not like this stuff' have to internalize the fact 'they are already eating it widespread'. And even more directly, 40% of consumers are extremely price sensitive (think dollar store) and will buy the cheapest t…

> As soon as this is materially cheaper than meat it will become the 'filler' used on so many burgers, taco places etc. and they'll do it without telling customers.

This already exists. Tofu is commonly used in fast food as a meat "filler", and very few people notice as it is. Tacos at Jack in the Box "May Contain Soy Products", and more.

Making "Impossible Meat" is always going to be more expensive than Tofu fillers, simply because it's processed to a much higher degree and requires a lot of ingredients.

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