Beyond Meat adds caffeine to protein drink as competition grows

· Agriculture & Food · United States

Beyond Meat has added caffeine to a protein drink as it keeps innovating in protein beverages and looks to differentiate itself from the plant-based meat segment it became known for, Food Dive reported. The move extends the company's push beyond its core plant-based meat business, where competition has been mounting, into functional beverages. Adding caffeine puts the drink in a crowded energy-and-protein category that appeals to consumers seeking convenience and functionality in a single product. For Beyond Meat, the launch reflects a broader effort to find growth outside the meat-alternative aisle, where demand and pricing have come under pressure.

Why it matters：It illustrates how plant-based meat companies are diversifying into functional beverages as their core category slows, a shift that could redirect investment and shelf space across the food industry.

Key points

  • Beyond Meat added caffeine to a protein drink.
  • The company is trying to differentiate from the plant-based meat segment it became known for.
  • The move comes as competition in its core category mounts.

Sources (original reporting)

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