Beyond Meat rolls out new plant-based chicken pieces
Unbreaded plant-based chicken alternative launches in over 1,900 locations; cultivated meat ban in Florida faces legal pushback
USA – Beyond Meat is introducing its new Beyond Chicken Pieces at more than 1,900 Kroger locations across the United States.
The plant-based product is made without breading and uses avocado oil and simple ingredients in response to repeated requests from customers on the company’s social media platforms.
Each serving provides 21 grams of plant protein, and the company says the product is free from cholesterol, GMOs, antibiotics, and hormones.
With only 0.5 grams of saturated fat per serving, the Beyond Chicken Pieces have received certifications from the American Heart Association and the Clean Label Project.
The product is also recognized by the American Diabetes Association’s Better Choices for Life program, aligning with dietary standards for heart and blood sugar health.
Avocado oil, known for its monounsaturated fat content, is a key ingredient that enhances the nutritional value and flavor of the chicken substitute.
Beyond Meat is marketing the product as a convenient, flexible option for plant-based meals, aiming to appeal to consumers seeking alternatives to conventional chicken.
The launch comes alongside Beyond Meat’s increased promotional efforts, including a digital cookbook produced in partnership with the National Basketball Players Association.
The cookbook, titled Go Beyond the Buzzer, features recipes inspired by NBA players, such as Jarred Vanderbilt’s Beyond Chicken Fajita Bowl, and includes other Beyond Meat products like Beyond Beef and Beyond Steak.
Legal battle over cultivated meat ban progresses
Meanwhile, Upside Foods has received court approval to move forward with its legal challenge against Florida’s July 2024 ban on cultivated meat.
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida rejected a motion to dismiss the case, allowing Upside Foods to contest the ban as unconstitutional.
Filed with the support of the Institute for Justice, the lawsuit claims the law violates the Commerce Clause by preventing out-of-state producers from selling cultivated meat in Florida.
The legal team argues that the ban is designed to protect local meat producers from new market entrants, which they say disrupts fair interstate trade.
Upside Foods, which gained regulatory clearance from the FDA and USDA in 2023 for its cultivated chicken, has been active in promoting alternative protein solutions through policy engagement.
Senior attorney Paul Sherman of the Institute for Justice said the ruling affirms that states cannot block access to new products developed by out-of-state companies.
The case could influence how other states handle legislation related to cell-based meat production in the future.
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