MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Century Pacific Foods Inc. has launched a new competitor in the plant-based burger game — unMEAT. Century Pacific attributes the burger’s advantages in the market to lower costs and a clean label. Century Pacific makes the unMEAT burger with non-GMO plant-based ingredients, zero cholesterol and trans-fat. Ingredients include soy protein, vegetable oil, onion, wheat, salt, vinegar and soy sauce.  

Analysts estimate the value of the global plant-based market at $20 billion and growing 15% annually. Studies show that nearly 50% of consumers are flexitarians or individuals who increasingly consume plant-based foods, while still eating animal products in moderation. Nicole Ponseca, chef, founder and chief executive officer of New York’s Jeepney Filipino Gastropub, will be the first in the United States to use unMEAT burgers.  

“I love that the plant-based category has gone mainstream recently, changing perception and behavior,” Ponseca said. “We have seen some incredible flavor profiles enter the market and completely disrupt it, and I think unMEAT is only going to further that disruption.”

“Century Pacific is a disruptor in the food industry, with a proven track record of delivering products consumers crave,” said Lionel Flutto, president, Asia-Pacific, Symrise Flavor. “There are many products in the plant-based space, but not many carry a clean label, as this is quite challenging to do. Symrise has extensive experience in creating the right taste from natural materials, so we were able to partner with Century Pacific to create the cleaner label of product that consumers desire.”

Gregory Banzon, chief operating officer, Century Pacific Foods Inc., added, “Our legacy is rooted in providing quality proteins across a number of food categories, from dairy to plant-based. This is only the beginning of our commitment to delivering delicious and affordable plant-based options.”

Retailers across the country will begin offering unMEAT in 2021.