Last Week in Future Food

Superlab
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Technology
  • Updated Weekly

"Last Week in Future Food" is an AI-generated podcast offering weekly updates on the latest innovations, business news, and marketing trends in the future-food sector. Each episode delves into key developments in plant-based innovations, cell-based food production, precision fermentation, new material technologies, and creative media strategies. Presented by Superlab Film Company. Visit us at superlabfilm.com

Episodes

  1. Jul 3

    Japan's $60B Roadmap, Cultivated Duck at Scale, and Europe's Meat Word Ban

    Episode #17: Japan's $60B Roadmap, Cultivated Duck at Scale, and Europe's Meat Word Ban Episode Description This week, we dive into Japan's monumental $60 billion public-private investment roadmap aimed at securing the future of food technology through 2040. We also explore how cultivated meat is finally proving its unit economics at a commercial scale, and unpack the sweeping implications of Europe's controversial new ban on "meaty" words for alternative proteins. Timestamps • [0:00] Intro & Welcome • [0:17] Japan's $60B Food Tech Investment Roadmap • [1:04] Parima & Vow Prove Cultivated Meat Economics at Scale • [1:41] Livekindly Collective Acquires Greenforce • [1:58] Quick Hits: The Protein Brewery, Planethic Group Insolvency, and Biosphere's Acquisition • [2:52] Hot Take: Europe's Controversial Meat Labeling Ban • [3:38] Outro Stories Discussed • Japan Sets ¥9.7T Food Tech Investment Outlook Through 2040 — vegconomist • Parima Validates Cost-Effective Commercial Cultivated Meat Production with Vow Partnership — Green Queen • Livekindly Collective Steps Up M&A Strategy with Greenforce Takeover — Green Queen • EU clearance unlocks €18m boost for novel mycoprotein — Food Navigator • German Plant-Based Pioneer Planethic Group Files for Self-Administration — Green Queen • Biosphere Adds CO2-to-Protein Technology With NovoNutrients Deal — vegconomist • Controversial Plant-Based Labeling Ban Passes With Huge Majority — Plant Based News Connect With Us This episode is brought to you by Superlab — the digital studio behind the future food brands you love. If your brand needs a website, campaign, or video that actually converts, book your free consultation today at https://superlabfilm.com.

  2. Jun 27

    The Insolvency Fire Sale, Danone's Coconut Play, and the Biomanufacturing Bottleneck

    Episode 16: The Insolvency Fire Sale, Danone's Coconut Play, and the Biomanufacturing Bottleneck Episode Description The alternative protein industry is undergoing a massive shift as pioneer Believer Meats sells off its assets and dairy giant Danone snaps up a major plant-based coconut brand. Meanwhile, infrastructure bottlenecks continue to plague precision fermentation, forcing startups to get creative—like Wildtype's new Kickstarter for cultivated salmon. Tune in to hear why the era of funding pure potential is officially over, and what it means for the future of food. Episode Timestamps • 0:00 – Intro & Cold Open • 0:31 – Top Stories: Believer Meats' insolvency sale, Danone acquiring Cocobella, and Liberation Bioindustries pausing construction • 1:41 – Quick Hits: Schouten Europe's acquisition, Finally Foods' casein potatoes, and plant-based milk outperforming dairy in U.S. foodservice • 2:25 – Hot Take: Wildtype launches a Kickstarter to ship cultivated lox directly to consumers • 2:50 – Outro & Final Thoughts Stories Discussed • Believer Meats Opens Discussions With Potential Buyers for Technology Portfolio – vegconomist • Danone to Acquire MADE Group, Bringing Plant-Based Coconut Brand Cocobella Into Its Portfolio – vegconomist • Liberation Bioindustries pauses construction again as it seeks funds to complete US biomanufacturing site – AFN (AgFunder News) • Schouten Buys Fellow Dutch Plant-Based Meat Player to Expand Europe Footprint – Green Queen • Finally Foods Completes Final Field Trial, Confirms Full Casein Expression in Potatoes – vegconomist • Plant-Based Milk Outpaces Dairy Growth in US Foodservice As Protein Price Gap Shrinks – Green Queen • Wildtype Launches Kickstarter to Ship Cultivated Lox Directly to Consumers – The Spoon Connect With Us This episode is brought to you by Superlab, the digital studio behind the future food brands you love. If you're building the future of food and need a website, campaign, or video that actually converts, they are the ones who can help you sell it. Book your free consultation today at https://superlabfilm.com.

  3. Jun 21

    The 100 Million Euro Liquidation, EU's Meat Label Ban, and the Milk Surcharge

    Episode #15: The 100 Million Euro Liquidation, EU's Meat Label Ban, and the Milk Surcharge In this episode, we unpack the brutal realities of scaling alternative protein infrastructure as French producer SWAP Food enters liquidation after burning through over €100 million. We also break down the EU Parliament's sweeping ban on meat-related terms for plant-based products, and a fiery class-action lawsuit challenging Starbucks' controversial plant-based milk surcharges. Tune in for a dense breakdown of the regulatory shifts, major liquidations, and capital restructurings defining the future of food. Episode Timestamps Estimated based on a WPM speaking rate • [00:00] - Intro: The Brutal Reality of Scaling Alt-Protein • [00:27] - EU Parliament Passes Sweeping Plant-Based Meat Labeling Ban • [00:58] - SWAP Food (formerly Umiami) Enters Judicial Liquidation • [01:37] - Solar Foods Secures $89M for Industrial-Scale CO2 Protein Factory • [02:02] - Quick Hits: The Protein Brewery's EU Approval, Döhler Acquires Nukoko, & Vivici's $14.4M Funding • [02:50] - Hot Take: Starbucks Faces Class-Action Lawsuit Over Plant-Based Milk Surcharges • [03:52] - Outro & Final Thoughts Stories Discussed • EU Labeling Ban: EU Parliament Passes Plant-Based and Cultivated Meat Labelling Ban with Large Majority (vegconomist) • SWAP Food Liquidation: SWAP Food Enters Judicial Liquidation as It Runs Out of Road (vegconomist) • Solar Foods Funding: Ahead of EU Approval, Solar Foods Gets $89M Funding Package to Build CO2 Protein Factory (Green Queen) • The Protein Brewery EU Approval: The Protein Brewery’s Fermotein Mycoprotein Cleared for EU Sale with Novel Food Approval (Green Queen) • Döhler & Nukoko: Döhler Snaps Up British Cocoa-Free Chocolate Startup Nukoko (Green Queen) • Vivici Funding: Vivici Earns $14.4M EU Funding to Expand Animal-Free Dairy Protein Platform (Green Queen) • Starbucks Lawsuit: Starbucks faces class-action over plant-milk upcharge (vegconomist) Connect With Us This episode is brought to you by Superlab, the digital studio behind the future food brands you love. If your brand needs a website, campaign, or video that actually converts, book your free consultation today at superlabfilm.com.

  4. Jun 16

    Cultivated Consolidation, Oatly's China Question, and Capex-Light Alt Meat

    Cultivated Consolidation, Oatly's China Question, and Capex-Light Alt Meat (Episode #14) The future food industry is entering a new, brutal phase of consolidation where capital efficiency is king. This week, we explore how Chunk Foods' capex-light model contrasts with Meati's collapse, Upside Foods' move to acquire a defunct competitor's factory, and Oatly's potential strategic retreat from China. ** Timestamps (00:00) Intro: The Industry Gets Real (00:35) Chunk Foods' Capex-Light Path to Profitability (01:15) Cultivated Meat Consolidation: Upside Foods Eyes Believer Meats' Factory (01:50) Oatly Considers Selling its China Business (02:23) Quick Hits: The Every Co. Scales, NS/TX Raises, Kaufland Rebrands (02:59) Hot Take: Will Closing the GRAS Loophole Kill Innovation? • Stories Discussed Chunk Foods: After Meati’s collapse, Chunk Foods pitches capex-light path to whole-cut alt meat, eyes profitability in 2027 (AgFunder News) Upside Foods: Upside Foods eyes factory of defunct cultivated-protein peer Believer Meats (Just Food) Oatly: Oatly soll Verkauf des China-Geschäfts erwägen (vegconomist.de) The Every Co: The Every Company Boosts Animal-Free Egg Capacity with Huvepharma After Significant Jump in Orders (Green Queen) NS/TX Industries: NS/TX Industries Raises $10.5M to Build Automated Plant-Based Meat Production System (Green Queen) Kaufland: Kaufland erweitert pflanzliches Sortiment und gestaltet pflanzliche Eigenmarke neu (vegconomist.de) GRAS Loophole: Yuka, Consumer Reports Ask FDA to Close GRAS ‘Loophole’ for Food Additives (Green Queen) Connect With Us This episode is brought to you by Superlab. To learn how they help future food brands with world-class websites, videos, and campaigns, visit them at superlabfilm.com.

  5. Jun 5

    Nestlé's Human Milk Bet, Protein from Air Hits US, and the Casein Breakthrough

    Episode #13: Nestlé's Human Milk Bet, Protein from Air Hits US, and the Casein Breakthrough Nestlé makes a major bet on human milk proteins made via fermentation, signaling a huge validation for the space. Plus, 'protein from thin air' finally hits US shelves, and a key regulatory milestone could unlock truly melty, stretchy animal-free cheese. These stories show the future of food isn't just about replication; it's about creating entirely new categories of nutrition. Timestamps (00:00) Intro (00:25) Nestlé Taps Helaina for Human Milk Proteins (01:40) Solar Foods' "Protein from Air" Hits the US Market (02:15) FDA Clears Hurdle for Animal-Free Casein from Formo (03:10) Quick Hits: Meatly's New Facility, Beyond's New Drink, and India's Vegan Logo (03:45) Hot Take: Aleph Farms' "Asset-Light" Strategy (04:25) Outro Stories We Covered [Nestlé & Helaina] Nestlé taps Helaina to explore bioactive proteins in infant nutrition (AFN) [Solar Foods] ‘Protein from Thin Air’: Solar Foods’s Solein Makes US Debut with Ambrosia Collective (Green Queen) [Formo & Casein] FDA clears key hurdle for animal-free dairy protein (Food Navigator USA) [Meatly] Construction Begins on Meatly’s London Facility, Set to Be Europe’s Largest Cultivated Meat Site (vegconomist) [Beyond Meat] Beyond Meat Expands Beyond Immerse into New York Retail with 26,000-Outlet Distribution Deal (vegconomist) [India Vegan Logo] India to Require Standardized Vegan Logo on Food Packaging from 2027 (vegconomist) [Aleph Farms] Aleph Farms Explains Latest Layoffs As ‘Global Alignment’ of Asset-Light Strategy (Green Queen) Connect With Us This episode was brought to you by Superlab. To learn how they help future food brands with world-class websites, videos, and campaigns, visit them at superlabfilm.com.

  6. May 29

    Clover's Collapse, Mycelium M&A, and France's Plant-Based Upset

    Last Week in Future Food: Clover's Collapse, Mycelium M&A, and France's Plant-Based Upset (Episode #12) A beloved Boston-based vegetarian chain abruptly closes its doors after 17 years, signaling tough times for plant-forward restaurants. Meanwhile, major consolidation in the mycelium space points to a maturing market, and a French startup achieves a stunning victory over a CPG giant. Episode Timestamps 00:32 — Top Story 1: Clover Food Lab Shuts Down After 17 Years 02:05 — Sponsor: Superlab 02:35 — Top Story 2: Infinite Roots Acquires Bosque Foods in Mycelium M&A 04:01 — Top Story 3: HappyVore Overtakes Nestlé in France 05:05 — Quick Hits: Parima's Approval, Woolworths' Vegan Pledge, & Pacifico Biolabs' Funding 06:02 — Hot Take: Pollen + Grace Adds Meat, Faces Backlash Stories Discussed Top Stories Clover Food Lab to Permanently Close All Boston-Area Locations This Week (vegconomist) Infinite Roots Acquires Bosque Foods and Brings Mycelium Expertise Under One Roof (vegconomist) How HappyVore Overtook Nestlé to Become France’s Best-Selling Plant-Based Meat Brand (Green Queen) Quick Hits Parima Notches Third Approval Milestone in a Year With FSANZ Safety Assessment Completion (vegconomist) Woolworths Promises New Vegan Products After Advocacy Groups Flag Shrinking Shelves (vegconomist) Pacifico Biolabs Closes €7M Series A to Scale Mycelium Protein Through Idle German Brewery Infrastructure (vegconomist) Hot Take UK Ready Meal Startup Pollen + Grace Faces Criticism After Adding Meat Options (Green Queen) Connect With Us This episode is brought to you by Superlab. Learn more at https://superlabfilm.com.

  7. May 6

    A $10 Billion Plant-Based Sale, Farm Bill Showdown, and Army's Alt-Protein Call

    Episode 8: A $10 Billion Plant-Based Sale, Farm Bill Showdown, and Army's Alt-Protein Call This week, we explore the potential $10 billion sale of Violife's parent company, a deal signaling major confidence in the plant-based sector. We also break down the contentious new Farm Bill passed by the US House, which threatens to override state-level animal welfare laws. Plus, an unexpected development: the US Army is officially seeking alternative proteins for soldiers' MREs. ** Timestamps [00:00] Intro [00:48] Flora Food Group's Potential $10B Sale [01:51] US House Passes Farm Bill Threatening Animal Welfare Laws [03:05] US Army Issues Call for Plant-Based MREs [04:02] Quick Hits: Chunk Foods, Ruby Bio, & Cell-Cultivated Cocoa [05:05] Hot Take: The Renewed Fight Over "Meat" Labeling • Stories Discussed [Flora Food Group] Violife Owner Flora Food Group Could Be Sold for $10 Billion [Farm Bill] US House Passes Farm Bill With Provisions That Would Override State Animal Welfare Laws [US Army] US Army Issues Call to Manufacture Plant-Based Meat for Military Meals in Combat Zones [Labeling Bill] Beef-Backed Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Ban ‘Meat’ from Cultivated & Plant-Based Protein Labels [Chunk Foods] Chunk Foods Lands Whole Foods Listing in Northeast US [Ruby Bio] Ruby Bio Reports Fermentation Breakthrough for Clean-Label Emulsifiers [Celleste Bio] Celleste Bio and Mondelēz International Produce First Chocolate Bars With Cell-Cultivated Cocoa Butter ** Connect With Us This episode is brought to you by Superlab. Learn how they help future food brands stand out with incredible websites, campaigns, and video. Website: https://superlabfilm.com

  8. Mar 21

    Funding Shifts Upstream, Policy Turmoil, and Soy's Comeback in Asia

    Last Week in Future Food: Episode #2 Funding Shifts Upstream, Policy Turmoil, and Soy's Comeback in Asia While overall agrifoodtech funding remains flat, a significant shift toward upstream and deeptech innovation signals where the smart money is heading. We break down the key takeaways from Future Food-Tech San Francisco, where regulatory uncertainty and the rise of GLP-1s dominated the conversation. Plus, we explore why Singapore's biggest oat milk brand is making a bold bet on modernizing soy. On This Episode (00:35) — Top Story: Agrifoodtech Funding Shifts Upstream The latest AFN report shows that while global funding is flat, capital is flowing to farm-focused and deeptech startups. Debt financing is also on the rise, signaling a new stage of maturity for the industry, but later-stage funding remains a major hurdle. (01:41) — Top Story: Policy & Regulation Dominate Future Food-Tech From the future of self-affirmed GRAS to a potential government definition for 'ultra-processed food,' policy uncertainty is a major risk for innovators. We recap the key discussions from San Francisco and the massive 'white space' opportunity for brands that can deliver convenience, clean labels, and affordability. (02:51) — Top Story: Oatside Bets on a Modern Soy Milk Singaporean oat milk leader Oatside has launched Nobo, a new high-protein soy milk brand. It's a savvy move to capture Asia's largest milk alternative market by modernizing a classic with better flavor, higher protein, and clean ingredients. (03:43) — Quick Hits A roundup of other key headlines, including an AI-developed seaweed powder that replaces multiple additives, private equity's growing (but selective) interest in agtech, and Givaudan's AI-driven approach to food innovation. (04:03) — Hot Take: Is Alt-Protein Missing the Bacon Opportunity? Sales of nitrite-cured bacon have plummeted by over £18 million due to cancer fears. Is the alternative protein industry positioned to capture these health-conscious consumers, or is it missing a massive market signal? Stories Discussed New report: Agrifoodtech funding is flat but the story is shifting (AFN) Future Food-Tech San Francisco 2026: MAHA, Fermentation, AI & Regulation (Green Queen) Asia’s Oatside Looks to Modernise A Classic with High-Protein Soy Milk Brand Nobo (Green Queen) This AI-Led Seaweed Powder Can Replace Multiple Additives for Clean-Label Proteins (Green Queen) Private equity in agtech: disciplined, selective, and increasingly hard to ignore (AFN) Givaudan’s head of front-end innovation on AI and the future of food (Food Navigator) Nitrite-Cured Bacon Sales Plummet By £18.7 Million Due To Cancer Fears (Plant Based News) Connect With Us This episode is brought to you by Superlab. To learn how they help future food brands launch and scale with world-class websites, campaigns, and videos, visit superlabfilm.com.

  9. Mar 17

    EU's Naming Game, Vegan Cowboys' Casein Bet, and Nestlé's Cocoa-Free Future

    Episode #1: Nestlé's Cocoa-Free Gamble and the Vegan Kitchen Revolution This week, we dive into Nestlé's massive bet on cocoa-free chocolate and a Brazilian startup turning coffee waste into a sweet alternative. We also explore a major shift in consumer behavior, as Tesco reports plant-based growth is now being driven by health-conscious home cooks. Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 00:30 - Nestlé Goes Cocoa-Free & Brazil's Cellva Ingredients Raises $4M 01:49 - Tesco Sees Plant-Based Growth in Scratch Cooking & Health-Focused Consumers 03:08 - Quick Hits: Peeling Produce, Super Lentils, & New Recipes 03:51 - Hot Take: The EU's 'Meaty' Names Ban is a Win for Innovation 04:32 - Outro Stories Discussed Top Stories Nestlé, the World’s Largest Food Company, Adopts Climate-Friendly Cocoa-Free Chocolate (Green Queen) Brazil’s Cellva Brews Up $4M in Funding to Turn Coffee Waste Into Cocoa-Free Chocolate (Green Queen) Tesco Reports Plant-Based Growth Led By Health-Conscious ‘Scratch Cooking’ (Plant Based News) How A Plant-Based Diet Slows Aging From The Inside Out (Plant Based News) These Are The Best Vegan Cities In The UK (Plant Based News) Quick Hits Are You Peeling The Wrong Produce? What Nutrition Science Says The Surprising Lentil That Beats The Rest On Antioxidants And Fiber Chili Crisp And Red Miso Vodka Marinara Sauce Tomato Braised Cabbage On Mint Tzatziki Hot Take EU ‘Meaty’ names ban agreed, ‘burger’ and ‘sausage’ exempt (Food Navigator) Connect With Us This episode is brought to you by Superlab. For websites, campaigns, and video that convert for future food brands, book a free consultation at superlabfilm.com.

  • 9 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

"Last Week in Future Food" is an AI-generated podcast offering weekly updates on the latest innovations, business news, and marketing trends in the future-food sector. Each episode delves into key developments in plant-based innovations, cell-based food production, precision fermentation, new material technologies, and creative media strategies. Presented by Superlab Film Company. Visit us at superlabfilm.com

Information

  • Creator
    Superlab
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Superlab Film Company
  • Show Website
    Last Week in Future Food