July 5, 2019 -- InvestorsHub NewsWire -- via NextBigTicker.com
A meatless hamburger infused with Cannabidiol (CBD) is around
the corner as North American Cannabis Holdings (USMJ)
and Kali-Extracts are poised to capitalize on the plant-based
protein alternatives market in partnership with West Coast Venture
Group, Corp (WCVC).
The three companies are targeting the intersection of the US$16
billion CBD sector and the US$9.5 billion plant-based protein
sector with the introduction of the hamburger this summer in the
US.
The plans signal the direction toward CBD-infused food which has
been gathering momentum throughout this year having been tipped to
be one of the hottest overall US culinary trends of 2019 by the US
National Restaurant Association.
Already a market recognized leader in healthy and holistic food,
WCVC’s Illegal Burger Restaurants include burgers made with
all-natural beef that is never frozen and sourced from suppliers
who use no antibiotics or growth hormones. They also serve
plant-based options and the company says it’s well past the
start-up phase with more than US$3 million in annual sales.
As the plant-based protein alternatives market gathers pace and
continues to catch investors’ attention, the companies want to
introduce another “differentiator” to the meatless hamburger
sector.
USMJ spun its cannabis-themed restaurant off last autumn to
capitalize and expand the initiative in a partnership with WCVC.
USMJ CEO Steven Rash currently serves as the CEO of both USMJ and
the USMJ cannabis-themed restaurant spinoff.
In turn, USMJ is partnering with KALY, the owner and operator of
a US Patented Cannabis Extraction Process. KALY is currently
utilizing its cannabis extraction expertise in the development of
pharmaceutical products. While the introduction of pharmaceutical
products is a long-term process, KALY is developing a number of
more immediately commercial CBD extract products.
Adding to the list, KALY extract products will be working with
USMJ to develop a CBD-infused plant-based protein burger for
introduction through USMJ's partnership with WCVC.
The plans for a CBD-infused meatless burger closely follows
California-based Beyond Meat launching its
initial public offering (IPO) in May. It also comes shortly after
Tyson Foods announced a move into meat alternatives by
unveiling its first plant-based protein products last month, after
selling its stake in Beyond Meat.
Growth of CBD-infused foods
2018 saw huge regulatory gains for cannabis and its derived
products, including hemp and CBD, with a host of US states and
Canada and, very recently the UK, legalizing the use of medical
marijuana in some forms. But now, we can expect to see more of this
available to consumers as part of a culinary and dining
experience.
Indeed consumer interest in CBD is booming, with CBD-infused
products in the nutrition space proliferating at an astounding
pace, despite the fact that adding CBD to food and beverages
is still not technically legal.
Whether the cannabis extract has proven its potential as a new
consumer staple or is slated to become another “has-been cure-all
in the supplement aisle,” remains to be seen. However, according to
a Rabobank report in May, which
takes a hard look at the future of this emergent market in the US,
questions still remain about just how mainstream CBD can become
amid huge legal ambiguity, with the possibility of a crash
existing.
The expansion of CBD applications in food was highlighted
by Guilin Layn Natural Ingredients
(Layn) during last month’s IFT19 expo in New Orleans, US, where
the company debuted its new line of CBD ingredients.
The company invested US$60 million in a US-based cannabidiol
(CBD) manufacturing facility, expected to be completed in the
autumn of 2020. The new facility is expected to have the capacity
to process a minimum benchmark of 5,000 tons of hemp biomass per
year, which will yield 160 tons of high purity CBD and 290 tons of
full spectrum oil annually.
“We chose to invest in the CBD industry because it is a trending
hot topic,” Elaine Yu, CEO of Layn, previously told
FoodIngredientsFirst. “Even though this market seems crowded, not
very many of these players come from this industry – many are
‘outsiders’ like farmers or extraction equipment manufacturers.
From Layn’s perspective as an ingredients manufacturer, we are
utilizing our 20+ years of experience and expertise in extraction,
agriculture management, sustainable supply chains and understanding
food safety requirements.”
Yu also highlighted the emergent potential of CBD in food and
beverage formats, where historically, companies have been more
inclined towards pills, tinctures or topical delivery formats. At
IFT19, Layn showcased two beverage concepts: a cucumber-flavored
anti-inflammation drink infused with CBD (roughly 21mg per 200mg
serving) and Gotu kola, using stevia and monk fruit as zero-calorie
sweeteners; and a fruit-flavored anxiety-relief drink infused with
CBD and Rhodiola extract.
Meanwhile, Mondelez is reportedly considering CBD as an
ingredient to infuse into its snacking portfolio.
Unilever’s Ben & Jerry’s ice
cream brand has announced plans to develop a CBD-infused
ice cream, and Monster Beverage is also reportedly eyeing the
cannabis-infused drinks market. However, all companies highlight
that they want to stay well within the lines of legality – meaning
a wait for clearer instructions from federal regulators. It seems
clear that if an FMCG giant like Mondelez, or indeed Unilever, were
to infuse its treats with CBD, the compounds’ hop into the
mainstream would be well and truly cemented.
By Gaynor Selby
To contact our editorial team please email us at editorial@cnsmedia.com
Origianl Publication On July 1, 2019 - Republished By NextBigTicker.com
https://www.foodingredientsfirst.com/news/meatless-cbd-infused-burger-partnership-poised-to-capitalize-on-cannabidiol-differentiator-amid-plant-based-boom.html
North American Cannabis (CE) (USOTC:USMJ)
Historical Stock Chart
From Feb 2024 to Mar 2024
North American Cannabis (CE) (USOTC:USMJ)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2023 to Mar 2024