This time, we interviewed Green Culture Corporation, a food tech company from Japan!
—What was the main reason for your participation in the FOOD TECH PARK this time?
The plant meat we are working on is a product that is not yet familiar to the general public. For this reason, we decided to exhibit at the FOOD TECH PARK in Shibuya, where the most advanced food tech companies gather, because we thought that by actually seeing and touching the products, people would feel closer to the future.
—Thank you! At the FOOD TECH PARK, Green Meat™️ was actually displayed in minced form, and I got the impression that many people were interested in seeing the actual product.
What is the background behind the development of Green Meat™️, which you exhibited this time?
Meat has become an indispensable part of our lives. In developed countries, consumption increased year by year as the relative price of livestock products fell in line with economic growth. In developing countries, meat consumption has doubled over the past 10 years, particularly in China, and demand for meat is expected to increase in India, which is currently experiencing remarkable economic growth, as well as in Africa, where growth is expected in the future. While the increase in consumption is attractive as a market, the harmful effects of livestock farming are still a problem.
In physical terms, 1/3 of the earth’s productive area is used for livestock farming. In terms of grain output, the reality is that 49% of all grain produced is consumed for animal feed. As a result, it is said that if we continue with livestock farming, we will exceed the population that the earth can feed by 2050, and there will be a crisis where food will not be available for the entire population.
—It’s true that we don’t know much about it, but the impact of modern livestock farming systems on the global environment and humanity is immeasurable.
In addition, ethical issues concerning livestock animals have also come under scrutiny in recent years. Every year, some 37 billion animals are raised and processed just for food. From the perspective of whether we really need that many animal sacrifices, some celebrities are beginning to express their opposition to animal agriculture, not only in Europe and the United States, but also in Japan.
However, we do not believe that we should stop livestock farming in order to solve livestock problems. For example, it is not practical to stop driving tomorrow in order to eliminate traffic accidents. So we thought it would be a good idea to make meat directly from plant-derived raw materials.
—Yes, it is. I feel that awareness of the environmental problems caused by livestock farming is increasing in Japan, due in part to the comments of prominent people. I would like to create a world where plant-based products are a natural choice for consumption.
What are some of the features of Green Meat™️?
Green Meat™️, which was launched for restaurant operators in April 2021, is a plant meat made from soy protein and other ingredients that is free of animal products, and because it is in minced form, it can be used in a variety of recipes in the same way as livestock meat. It has already been adopted by the famous ramen restaurant Menya Musashi in Tokyo (collaborating on “Plant-based Kakuni Ramen”) and a high-end restaurant in Azabu Juban, Tokyo. We have already started exporting our products to North America and other countries, and we have decided to export our products to Macau this spring. We are also currently planning to export to Europe, the United States, and Australia.
—The versatility is one of the strengths of the minced form. I feel that the taste of the product is also highly evaluated, as it is used in high-end restaurants.
Lastly, what are your future prospects in the food tech market?
We believe that many technologies in various fields will develop and become more and more active. Our “plant meat” technology will also be further developed and disseminated, so that it can be enjoyed in the restaurant industry and at home.
—Not only in Japan, but they are also actively expanding their business overseas, and we can’t take our eyes off their future trends!
Thank you very much for your time today!
For more information about Green Meat™, click here. Please take a look.