The future of the food industry: The 5 most exciting food innovations of 2024

Global developments like the climate change and population growth as well as the changed needs of the consumers are also driving the food industry to food-related innovative top performances in the year 2024. These five exciting technologies and methods are among them:

Mycelium, the root structure of fungi, established itself as one of the most promising plants for meat alternatives in the year 2024. Companies like Infinite Roots are relying on fermentation technologies to make mycelium grow in just a few days. The result is a product that is similar to meat in terms of taste and consistency and which is at the same time significantly more environmentally-friendly.

The special feature of the mycelium products is their minimal resource consumption. The production doesn't require large amounts of water or land and hardly causes any CO₂ emissions. Furthermore, mycelium naturally tastes like umami – i.e. precisely the taste that many people like in meat. This innovation not only addresses environmentally-conscious consumers, it also offers a true alternative for meat lovers, who want to reduce their consumption.

Precision fermentation revolutionised the way we make plant-based alternatives to animal products in 2024. Thanks to the implementation of microorganisms proteins, vitamins and other nutrients that are similar to - and in some cases even better than - animal-based products in terms of their consistency and taste are produced in a targeted manner.

Particularly in the case of cheese and yoghurt alternatives this technology allows ground-breaking progress. Plant-based products that often weren't very convincing to-date regarding their taste or structure, are now reaching a new level of quality. At the same time, the precision fermentation is considerably reducing the ecological footprint: The process requires less resources than traditional animal husbandry and causes considerably less emissions. This technology is not only a milestone for plant-based diets, but also proof of how science and sustainability can go hand in hand.

Food waste remains to be one of the most urgent challenges of our times. In the year 2024, AI-supported solutions like Winnow demonstrated that technology can help resolve this problem. With the help of cameras and algorithms such systems analyse in food service establishments which ingredients and foods are often thrown away and optimise the production processes accordingly.

This technology is an asset for the environment and also for economic efficiency. Restaurants and industrial kitchens can reduce their costs by producing precisely the amount of food that is really needed. At the same time, the efficiency is increased by already reducing food waste during the planning stage. AI against food waste is a prime example of how innovation can lead to tangible solutions for global challenges.

The idea of the circular economy reached new heights in 2024. An outstanding example is the technology of the Swiss company RE-NUT: It enables the processing of nuts and their shells. This method doubles the income by using all parts of the nut, for example to make flour, milk or oil. What was previously considered to be waste thus becomes a valuable resource.

Such approaches show how food production can be fundamentally changed. In addition to reducing waste and the more efficient implementation of resources, the circular economy also contributes towards opening up new business opportunities. Consumers, who place importance on sustainability and transparency like products that are made following this principle. Circular production is not merely a trend, but indeed a necessary step in the direction of a more sustainable future of food.

Cultured meat experienced a decisive breakthrough in the year 2024. Grown in bioreactors, meat is produced from animal cells without animals having to be kept or slaughtered. This method uses significantly less water, land and feed and causes up to 90 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than the conventional meat production.

In countries like the USA and Singapore cultured meat is already approved and the technology is also approaching marketability in Europe too. In addition to the ethical advantage that animals no longer have to suffer, cultured meat also offers consistent quality. It has the potential to change the meat market long-term and drastically reduce the impact meat production has on the environment – an answer to the growing demand for ethically responsible meat and an opportunity to support the global climate goals.

Whether via the implementation of new technologies, the more efficient use of resources or the development of sustainable alternatives – the latest food innovations have the potential to fundamentally change the food industry and our diets. And they are proving that sustainability and enjoyment don't rule each other out - but instead complement each other. Whilst mycelium products, cultured meat and precision fermentation are opening up new culinary options, AI and circular production are contributing towards the preservation of resources and avoiding waste. The future of diets and food is diversified, sustainable and creative - whereby innovations are more than just the "icing on the cake", they are so to say a basic ingredient.