ペプシコと代替肉ビヨンド・ミート、植物由来食品で提携

【サンフランシスコＡＦＰ＝時事】米ペプシコと代替肉製造・販売大手ビヨンド・ミートは26日、植物性たんぱく質から作った飲料や食品の開発・販売で提携すると発表した。（写真は米ニューヨーク市内のスーパーで販売されているビヨンド・ミートの代替肉）
　両社は、合弁会社「プラネット・パートナーシップ」を設立。ペプシコがマーケティングと流通を、ビヨンド・ミートが植物性食品の開発を担う。
　耕種農業は、畜産農業に比べ環境への負荷が少なく、植物由来の食品の方が地球環境に良いと考えられている。
　ペプシコのチーフコマーシャルオフィサー（ＣＣＯ）のラム・クリシュナン氏は共同発表で、今回の提携を通じて、より持続可能な食料供給システムを構築するための取り組みを前進させることができると述べた。
　一方、ビヨンド・ミートの創業者イーサン・ブラウン最高経営責任者（ＣＥＯ）は「人と地球に有益な選択を促すような、新ジャンルや商品を共に打ち出すことを楽しみにしている」としている。
　ビヨンド・ミートによると同社の製品は昨年末時点で、８０か国以上、約１２万２０００の小売店や飲食店で販売されているという。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2021/01/29-15:55）

Food industry colossus PepsiCo and faux-burger makers Beyond Meat announced an alliance Tuesday to cook up plant-based snacks that tempt the palate while being easy on the planet.
The companies said they are forming a joint venture called The Planet Partnership to create and market drinks and snacks made from plant-based proteins, which is Beyond Meat's specialty.
Beyond Meat has found success with burgers and sausages made from plants that look and taste similar to the traditional versions consisting of animal flesh.
Plant-based diets are considered better for the planet because farming is less damaging to the environment than raising livestock.
Plant-based proteins represent an exciting growth opportunity for us, PepsiCo chief commercial officer Ram Krishnan said in a joint release.
Krishnan added the venture was a new frontier in efforts to build a more sustainable food system.
PepsiCo brings marketing and global distribution prowess to the alliance, while Beyond Meat has been creating plant-based alternatives to meat since it was founded in 2009.
We look forward to together unlocking new categories and product lines that will inspire positive choices for both people and planet, Beyond Meat founder and chief executive Ethan Brown said.
Beyond Meat said that as of late last year, its products were sold in approximately 122,000 retail and food service outlets in more than 80 countries.
Shares in Beyond Meat jumped nearly 18 percent in mid-day trading following word of the PepsiCo partnership.