Upfield takes minority stake in egg alternative brand Oggs

Plant–based food producer Upfield has announced a strategic partnership with vegan bakery brand Oggs, the UK-based egg alternative producer and leading vegan bakery.

The partnership includes Upfield taking a minority stake in Oggs parent Alternative Foods London Ltd.

Launched in 2019, Alternative Foods offers range of bakery products and liquid egg alternatives including Oggs Aquafaba – unique patented liquid egg alternative and Scrambled Oggs.

Upfield, a global leader in plant-based butters, spreads, creams and cheeses, said the collaborative partnership provides an opportunity to accelerate towards a more sustainable, natural plant-based food system.

“This partnership takes us into a new category of plant-based protein, enables us to offer even more options and we expect strong, sustainable growth,” David Haines, group chief executivbe for Upfield, said.

“We have been aware of the innovative technology that Oggs has been perfecting and we’re excited to become part of that and help drive the plant-based egg category forward through the combination of our global footprint and growing food service sector.”

Both companies will work together to expedite the growth of the already leading egg-alternative products, by leveraging Upfield’s global distribution network and food service channel, Upfield Professional. The partnership will also enable further R&D innovation in liquid egg alternatives and the plant-based protein category through collaboration with Upfield’s state-of-the-art Food Science Centre.

Hannah Carter, founder and chief execuitve of Alternative Foods, added: “We are on a mission to remove unnecessary animal products from the food chain to improve the planet and animal welfare; i.e. the use of animal products that don’t provide nutritional benefit, such as egg white in bread. Our Egg Alternative range offers consumers tasty plant-based egg alternatives, and Oggs provides food service and manufactures a viable liquid egg alternative for the first time, no longer limiting innovation.

“With Upfield as a partner, we can scale up distribution and awareness of our Oggs Egg Alternative range; Aquafaba and Scrambled Oggs and create positive change faster than we can achieve on our own.”