Home-grown coffee brand CCL Products (India), which ventured into the frozen foods category with plant-based meat brand, Continental Greenbird in 2022, has expanded its reach and introduced the product line in Delhi this month. Continental Greenbird was unveiled at AAHAR 2023, the International Food & Hospitality show, which is being held at Pragati Maidan in Delhi from 14 to 18 March 2023.

Based on industry research and the growth potential of the plant-based meat industry, CCL ventured into the category with Continental Greenbird. The brand offers four plant-based meat variants that are made with premium ingredients and high in nutrition and taste: Chicken-like Nuggets, Chicken-like Seekh Kebab, Chicken-like Sausage, and Mutton-like Keema. All the products are made from plant-based proteins which are derived from Green peas, Chickpea, and in the case of Keema from soya. This is done to create a real meat-like taste and texture and maintain excellent flavor.

Continental Greenbird is now available at select outlets in Delhi. It is also available in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Pune and on e-commerce platforms.

CCL has set up a booth at AAHAR 2023 at the ‘Plant Based Pavilion’ where they will be showcasing their product portfolio and offering samples to visitors.

Continental Greenbird has partnered with the Plant-Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA) for the Dawn of a Plant-Based Age conference at AAHAR. The ‘Dawn of a Plant-Based Age’ Conference will be presented by The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) & India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and co-organized by Plant Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA) and Ph.D. Chamber.

The conference will take place at Hall No. 8 on the 1st day of AAHAR, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and will be attended by the top minds of the industry. It will entail discussions on creating an ecosystem supporting the growth of plant-based foods. This will include the importance of getting the flavors and textures right, plant-based dairy innovations and policies, investor insights, and the need for India to establish itself as an Ingredients Hub through infrastructural projects like the plant-protein cluster.

Sanjay Sethi, executive director, PBFIA, said, "As the world faces the challenges of climate change, food security, and ethical concerns related to animal agriculture, it is crucial for India to fully embrace and invest in this growing industry. 'The Dawn of a Plant-Based Age' conference is a necessary step towards unlocking India's potential as a major supplier of plant-based proteins globally, pursuing cost-effective sources of supply and building an innovation ecosystem. We are thrilled to collaborate and receive support from APEDA and our other partners. For the first time, there is a PBFIA Plant-Based Foods Pavillion in the 37th AAHAR, where more than 25 plant-based food companies are exhibiting in Hall Number 3 (ground floor) and Hall Number 5 (first floor). I invite everyone to be a part of this important conversation and contribute to a sustainable and compassionate future for all."

Plant-Based Foods are those that replace animal-based foods/ingredients, such as plant-based meat, dairy, eggs, and seafood. The Dawn of a Plant-Based Age suggests that this is a relatively new phenomenon that is just beginning to gain momentum. However, it also suggests that this shift is likely to continue and become more widespread as more people embrace plant-based foods and the benefits they offer.

The conference will be graced and inaugurated by Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, as the Chief Guest.

To cater to the plant-based foods market and offer the exact meaty taste at an affordable price, PBFIA believes the industry must now start the work on the supply chain side. Utilizing superior-grade raw materials and enhancing plant-based food processing can make India penetrate the export market. The first step is procuring raw materials such as human-grade soybeans, which inherently possess higher protein content, lower oligosaccharides, and have no beany off-taste. Certain approaches, which include the cluster strategy, can aid in the development of efficient and cost-effective sources of supply, positioning the country as a major supplier of plant-based proteins globally, such as the announcement of one such plant protein cluster in Bhiwadi by PBFIA.

The conference will hold multiple panel discussions on plant-based foods and tastings by various plant-based brands, activities, networking opportunities, and thought leadership perspectives and provide an immersive experience.