PepsiCo Goes Beyond

Plant-based proteins are playing an increasingly vital role in modern diets — they’re nutrient-rich and far more sustainable than meat.

Now PepsiCo and Beyond Meat are teaming up to launch The PLANeT Partnership, tapping into growing consumer demand for plant-based proteins that are better for the planet.

Through the PLANeT Partnership, the two companies will develop, produce and market snacks and beverages made from plant-based protein — bringing together Beyond Meat’s innovation expertise with PepsiCo’s marketing and commercial capabilities.

“We look forward to combining their unparalleled expertise with our world-class capabilities in brand-building, consumer insights and distribution,” says Ram Krishnan, PepsiCo Global Chief Commercial Officer.

For PepsiCo, the partnership represents an exciting next step in the company’s ongoing commitment to expanding its portfolio of positive choices for consumers and the planet. Among PepsiCo’s longstanding efforts: doubling down on sustainably sourced ingredients, regenerative agriculture, carbon-emission reduction and other key measures.

Numerous studies have extolled the benefits of plant-based diets, and Krishnan describes Beyond Meat as “a cutting-edge innovator in this rapidly growing category.” The El Segundo, California-based company was founded in 2009 with the goal of creating plant-based products that mimic meat’s taste and texture, with a focus on simple ingredients and no GMOs or bioengineering. Fast forward to 2021, Beyond Meat products are available at approximately 122,000 locations in more than 80 countries.

“With PepsiCo’s unmatched reach and distribution, we’ll be able to accelerate bringing these products to markets around the world as we provide more consumers with the nutritional and environmental benefits of plant-based protein,” says Ethan Brown, Beyond Meat Founder and CEO.

As Krishnan notes, it represents “a new frontier in our efforts to build a more sustainable food system.”