A total of $7.6M is being invested in meal alternatives project

Protein Industries Canada is co-investing to diversify Canada’s meal-alternative product offerings

A total of $7.6 million is being invested in a project to develop high-quality meat alternatives. Protein Industries Canada is investing $3.8 million to develop and distribute plant-based non-soy alternatives to pork and Wagyu beef. 

Wamame Foods, Merit Functional Foods, Wismettac Asian Foods and Winecrush Technology are partnering to create alternatives that match the high-quality Wagyu line in both texture and taste. 

Merit Functional Foods and Winecrush Technology will develop the ingredients using Canadian-grown crops, such as non-GMO peas and canola, to research and develop perfect and new beef and pork alternatives. 

“Canadian farmers grow some of the world’s highest quality crops. Thanks to the work of the Protein Industries Supercluster, we are developing new uses for them by leveraging existing expertise and connecting global partners to create premium, healthy and sustainable food products,” shares François-Philippe Champagne, minister of innovation, science and industry.

Three new lines of products will be sold under Wamame Foods’ Waygu brand in addition to their pre-existing soy based Waygu product. It is also a co-branded private label under Wismettac Asian Foods’ line of products. 

The partners will help diversity the plant-based foods available across Canada, while meeting the health and sustainability benefits consumers expect from plant-based foods and ingredients. 

The new meat alternatives will be sold throughout Europe, Asia, and North America, expanding Canada’s plant-based meat alternative market footprint. 

This innovation supports Canada’s goal of being an innovative leader in the production of plant-based food and ingredients, while increasing domestic processing, creating jobs, and strengthening the economy.