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Published October 15th, 2024

Hybrid food products: Bridging sustainable food and taste

Why you should read this
Discover how hybrid food products, combinations of animal and plant-based ingredients, are reshaping the sustainable food landscape. This article explores the potential of hybrid foods, their environmental impact, consumer acceptance, and how companies can effectively position these innovative products to capture this growing market.

READING TIME: 8-10 MINUTES

As consumer demand for sustainable food grows, an increasingly interesting option are hybrid products to cater to those seeking environmental benefits without giving up the tastes they love. But hybrids are more than just a compromise. Done right, they offer enhanced flavor, better nutrition, and a lower carbon footprint, making them a unique solution for flexitarians and environmentally-conscious eaters alike. This article dives into why hybrids are gaining traction, the challenges they face, and how companies can leverage innovation to get the right flavor, nutrition, and positioning mix to capture this growing market segment. If you want to understand the future of hybrid foods and how to capitalize on their potential, keep reading to learn about this.

Environmental potential

One of the main reasons to consider hybrids is their potential to reduce the GHG emissions per kg or per nutritional value of a food product. For example, a recent study in Nature, found that if 50% of the main animal products (pork, chicken, beef and milk) are substituted—net reduction of forest and natural land is almost fully halted and agriculture and land use GHG emissions decline by 31% in 2050 compared to 2020. The reduction in animal product consumption can also come in a way of a partial substation with plant-based ingredients in food items such as processed meats and dairy products. These plant-based ingredients have a significantly smaller carbon footprint than their animal counterparts and can drastically reduce the footprint of the blended hybrid product. 

Hybrid product taste 

Whether this environmental potential will be realized and at what pace, depends on consumers’ acceptance of these hybrid products. Several recent studies (Caputo et al. 2022, Chandler & McSweeney 2022) have tried to estimate consumer acceptance and willingness to pay at different levels of plant-based substitution and in both blind and informed tastings. A common finding is that while all else equal 100% beef burgers are still the first choice, consumers prefer 25-50% plant-substitute over fully plant-based burgers. However, more research is needed to fully understand consumer preferences in relation to substitution share and price. For example, Hormel’s Burke brand research started with a 50/50 mix, but after a lot of trial and error, a 70/30 combination worked best. 

Non-environmental benefits

In addition to the lower GHG emissions, hybrids offer plenty of other benefits compared to pure animal, plant-based or cultivated products. First and foremost is the cost. Plant-based ingredients can significantly lower the cost of meat products, which is especially important in settings like quick service restaurants (QSR), where consumers are less demanding and low costs are paramount. They can also be used to blend in cultivated products to bridge the gap to the time when cultivated products are affordable enough to be sold in a pure form. For example, GOOD Meat’s cultivated chicken nuggets, launched in Singapore in 2020, were a hybrid of plant-based and cultivated ingredients. Compared to fully plant-based products, on the other hand, hybrids offer more product development flexibility by adjusting the share of cultivated/animal component in the final product to achieve the desired texture, taste, juiciness, etc. The animal component also masks certain off-putting flavors such as bitter or ‘green’ notes coming from soy or peas and thus enhances the overall sensory experience.  

Furthermore, hybrid products can be used to cater to consumers with animal welfare or environmental concerns but who are hesitant to completely eliminate traditional meat and dairy from their diets. By blending plant-based with cultivated components or conventional animal proteins, hybrid products offer a middle ground that allows these consumers to make a positive impact while still enjoying the flavors and textures they’re accustomed to. This approach can cater to those who are open to change but prefer a more gradual shift in their eating habits. 

Challenging positioning hybrid products

One of the primary challenges for hybrid products is their complex market positioning, which heavily influences consumer perception and acceptance. For traditional meat consumers, blending animal proteins with plant-based ingredients can be seen as compromising on quality, similar to "watering down" a premium product. This perception of diluted value often leads to resistance, as pure meat is viewed as a higher-quality option. This dynamic is reminiscent of past backlash, such as when rumors spread about fast food chains using soy fillers in their beef patties, causing consumer outrage and forcing companies to emphasize the “100% pure” nature of their products to restore trust. For plant-based consumers, on the other hand, the addition of animal-based components contradicts their motivations for choosing plant-based products, which are often driven by health, ethics, or environmental concerns. This dual challenge can create a scenario where hybrid products fail to resonate with either target group, making it difficult to establish a clear value proposition in the market. Indeed, previous attempts at hybrids such as almond-dairy milk blend Live Real Farms or Tyson’s Raised and Rooted hybrid meat and plant-based burgers underperformed in the markets. However, some products like Perdue’s Chicken Plus are still performing well and indicate that blended products have a place on the shelves in the future. 

New opportunities

Despite challenges with consumer perception and positioning, the hybrid food sector shows strong potential, particularly as new entries and innovations continue to shape the category. Companies are increasingly leveraging hybrid products to cater to flexitarian consumers looking for a balance between taste, nutrition, and sustainability. 

Several recent product launches and R&D efforts illustrate the evolving landscape. For example, Lidl Netherlands introduced a hybrid minced meat product that substitutes 40% of the beef content with pea protein, resulting in a 37% reduction in emissions. This product, which is priced 33% lower than traditional ground beef, reflects how strategic ingredient substitution can enhance environmental benefits without sacrificing consumer appeal. 

In the hybrid dairy segment, innovations are emerging with combinations of hybrid cheese with dairy, fava beans and mealworms. Similarly, Israel-based food tech company Wilk has developed a hybrid yogurt product that blends plant-based ingredients with cultivated milk fat, aiming to address cost and sensory challenges in the alternative dairy market. 

Meanwhile start-ups Meatable and Love Handle plan to release a range of hybrid meat products including dumplings, patties, and cold cuts, which combine plant-based ingredients with cultivated meat to offer a closer match to traditional meat flavors and textures. This approach allows companies to introduce cultivated ingredients more cost-effectively while gradually building consumer acceptance. 

Outlook: Getting positioning, flavor, and nutrition for hybrids right

For hybrid food products to gain wider acceptance, innovators and investors need to focus on a multi-pronged strategy that addresses consumer expectations around flavor, nutrition, and positioning. Successful hybrid products should prioritize delivering enhanced flavor experiences while offering nutritional benefits without compromising on taste. This is particularly important as research shows that consumers still choose traditional meat primarily for its flavor and texture, making it crucial for hybrid products to maintain these sensory qualities while integrating plant-based or cultivated components. 

Positioning strategies should emphasize the unique selling points of hybrids rather than framing them as a compromise. For example, leading with flavor by incorporating ingredients like roasted vegetables, herbs, or spices into blended meats can create a more appealing profile. Highlighting these enhanced taste experiences will attract not just health-conscious flexitarians but also conventional meat-eaters looking for variety. 

From a nutritional standpoint, hybrid products have the potential to offer better nutrition without compromise. By blending animal proteins with high-quality plant-based ingredients, hybrids can achieve a balanced nutritional profile—providing benefits like higher fiber content, reduced saturated fats, and added vitamins or minerals. Innovators should explore combinations that optimize both sensory and nutritional attributes, making hybrid products a truly better-for-you option that doesn’t sacrifice taste. 

Summary

Hybrid food products offer a practical solution for consumers seeking both sustainability and familiar eating experiences. By blending animal, plant-based, and even cultivated ingredients, they promise lower environmental impact, improved nutrition, and flexible product development opportunities. However, to succeed in this market, brands must get the balance of taste, nutrition, and messaging right. Positioning should focus on unique sensory experiences and nutritional enhancements rather than framing hybrids as a halfway measure. Innovators who lead with flavor and ensure hybrids offer tangible health benefits, without sacrificing on taste, are more likely to capture the attention of a growing flexitarian consumer base. As more companies enter the space, hybrid products could evolve from a niche offering into a mainstay of the modern food industry. 

Partner with Bright Green Partners

Corporates in the food and beverage sector are increasingly exploring hybrid food products as a response to shifting consumer preferences towards sustainable and ethical choices. Embracing these innovations can enhance market positioning and address reputational considerations in a competitive landscape.

Bright Green Partners offers expertise in navigating the complexities of the hybrid food market. Whether you require strategic insights on consumer trends, due diligence on emerging hybrid technologies, or support in developing a compelling product line, our team is equipped to assist. With a strong background in sustainable food innovations, we can help your business leverage the opportunities presented by this evolving sector.

Schedule a call with our Managing Partner, Floor Buitelaar, to discuss how we can support your exploration of hybrid products and enhance your competitive advantage.

Ready to discover what sustainable food strategies could mean for your business? Discuss it in a 30 minute call with our Managing Partner, Floor.
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