Attendees of the Institute of Food Technologists' SHIFT20 conference had the first peek at the results of a new study comparing resource requirements to produce various protein sources. I'm now sharing this exciting information with Dairy Detective readers.

Bunge Ltd., Chesterfield, Mo., made a 30 million Canadian-dollar capital investment in Merit Functional Foods, Winnipeg, Manitoba, giving the global ingredient supplier a minority interest in the Canadian company.

Royal DSM, Delft, Netherlands, and the Avril Group, France's fourth-largest agro-industrial group, announced the launch of their joint venture, Olatein, to produce canola (rapeseed) proteins for the global food market.

Kerry, Naas, Ireland, said it expanded its non-allergenic and organic plant protein capability by acquiring the Spanish company Pevesa Biotech.

Oath, New York said it launched Oath organic “oatmilk” and plant-based protein drink.

Newly launched Merit Functional Foods, Manitoba, Winnipeg, said it is seeking to uproot the food and beverage industry’s perception of plant-based proteins by producing high-quality plant protein ingredients that exceed standards for purity, solubility, taste and more.

The company, through its joint venture with Verdient Foods Inc, is constructing a new manufacturing facility.

If William McCormack, business development manager for nutrition at Wauconda, Ill.-based Synergy Flavors, noticed anything at the recent Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, Calif., it's that the current fad for plant-based dairy alternatives is anything but a fad.

Plant-based proteins have continued their growth into 2019. As more brands added trendy, vegan-suitable applications, demand for alternative proteins like soy and pea protein continues to grow drastically.