Israeli start-up Redefine Meat has developed a plant-based “meat” using a proprietary 3D printer. The first restaurants in Germany will receive the printed meat alternative in a few months. According to various studies, including one by the World Wildlife Fund, industrial meat production is one of the biggest drivers of climate change. Additionally, high meat consumption increases the risk of colon cancer and other diseases. As a result, more and more people have decided to consume less or no meat at all. Alternatives such as lab-grown meat are also being developed, but current production methods still release more CO2 than traditional meat production.
Redefine Meat’s plant-based alternative aims to provide a solution for those who want to avoid real meat for animal welfare or environmental reasons but still want the taste and texture. The company’s unique production process allows it to mimic the fat and muscle structure of real meat. Unlike competitors who only offer ground meat and smaller cuts, Redefine Meat claims it can also replicate steaks. In a Tel Aviv food truck test, 90% of customers reportedly couldn’t tell the difference between the plant-based alternative and real meat.
The first restaurants in Germany are set to receive Redefine Meat’s products in the first half of 2021, according to a report by Wirtschaftswoche. Later, the meat alternatives will be available for home preparation in retail stores. In Israel, Redefine Meat is already working with meat wholesaler Best Meister, and several German meat industry companies have expressed interest in collaborating with the start-up. PHW-Gruppe, Germany’s largest poultry breeder, invested $6 million in Redefine Meat in 2019. The PHW-Gruppe owns well-known meat brands such as Wiesenhof and Bruzzzler.
In conclusion, Redefine Meat’s plant-based alternative offers a promising solution for those who want to reduce their meat consumption for health or environmental reasons. With its unique production process, the company aims to replicate the taste and texture of real meat, including steaks. The first restaurants in Germany will soon offer the plant-based alternative, and retail stores will follow. The interest of major meat industry players in Redefine Meat’s technology suggests that the future of meat production may be more sustainable and ethical.
