MeliBio, a leading producer of plant-based honey substitutes, has recently announced its expansion into European markets including Austria, Switzerland, and the UK through a strategic partnership with Slovenian food maker Narayan. This collaboration will bring MeliBio’s ‘bee-free’ sweetener to stores under the Better Foodie brand in the UK and ALDI’s private label Just Veg! in Austria and Switzerland.
The $10 million, four-year agreement between MeliBio and Narayan aims to make the plant-based honey substitute available in 75,000 retailers across Europe. CEO and co-founder Darko Mandich expressed his excitement for the partnership, stating, “By providing restaurants and consumers with a delicious and sustainable alternative, we hope to help restore ecological harmony and make room for native pollinators.”
In addition to their current plant-based honey offerings, MeliBio has also unveiled plans for precision fermented honey with the help of a new partnership with Pow.bio. This groundbreaking development combines traditional fermentation techniques with AI-driven optimization to create a highly efficient and scalable fermentation platform. Mandich emphasized the importance of this collaboration, citing the expertise of Pow.bio’s scientific team from top universities such as UC Berkeley, Stanford, and Harvard.
Although MeliBio’s plant-based honey substitutes have been well-received in the market, it is important to note that there are some limitations to this approach. While the products are designed to mimic the properties of acacia and light clover honey, they may not replicate the full spectrum of nutrients found in bee-produced honey. Mandich acknowledged this challenge and explained that the company’s decision to focus on plant-based alternatives was driven by feedback from chefs in the US and Europe.
Overall, MeliBio’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in the plant-based food sector is evident in their ongoing efforts to provide consumers with high-quality, eco-friendly alternatives to traditional honey products. Through strategic partnerships and cutting-edge research, MeliBio is poised to continue leading the way in the development of plant-based sweeteners that cater to the growing demand for sustainable food options.
