In the recent years, the growth of plant-based food has seen a steady incline and people have been responding positively towards the awareness of healthy eating and banning animal cruelty. Many are getting a grip of what plant-based food are and most restaurants now do serve vegan or vegetarian options.
Even the big fast food chains such as KFC and Burger King are joining the plant-based movement by introducing meat-free burgers. Although countries like US, UK and Australia are nailing the plant-based industry, Malaysia is slowly picking up the pace as the awareness grows.
A huge achievement in the plant-based scene in Malaysia is with Nestlé Malaysia opening its first plant-based meal solutions manufacturing facility right here in Shah Alam What’s more, we’re also the first in ASEAN to have a fully plant-based factory. The factory will supply plant-based foods for the local market as well as for export.
Having invested RM150 million in the Shah Alam production site, Chief executive officer Juan Arnols said that it will allow Nestlé to “supply locally produced, high-quality, great-tasting and halal-certified plant-based foods.”
“In the same way as it is happening in other parts of the world, Malaysians are becoming more interested in exploring alternatives to meat consumption, either because of health reasons or environmental considerations.
“For them, we have developed an exciting range of new products that provide an excellent nutritional alternative supporting healthier and more sustainable lifestyles,” he said during the launch.
The launch of the new facility was officiated by Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
The production for Nestle’s plant-based products has begun and will be widely available nationwide very soon under the Harvest Gourmet range. Their products are said to be made with high quality products such as soy, wheat, beetroot, carrot, pomegranate, and blackcurrant, and will be absolutely meat-free and high in protein.
The current range available includes Sensational Burger patty, Schnitzel, as well as chargrilled pieces and ground mince products.
While having home-grown plant-based products is a momentous achievement for Malaysia, we hope to receive more support and anticipate a speedy growth of plant-based food in the F&B industry.
