E51: Lobbyists Tried To Bring This Food-Tech Company Down (But That Did Not Stop the Founder) - the Story of Revo Foods with Robin Simsa

Plant-based is right now in a difficult moment. We live in a constant debate whether is good quality or not, or whether is healthy enough. But sometimes we might miss the bigger picture by focusing on a quite specific market and we are not seeing what is the reality of the system

In this episode, we had an engaging discussion with Robin Simsa, the founder of Revo Foods, exploring a range of topics related to food systems, sustainability, and technological innovation. Here's a more detailed breakdown of our conversation:

He discussed the critical role that new technologies, such as 3D food structuring and cultured meat, can play in creating sustainable and appealing alternatives to traditional animal products, as well as delving into the ethical and environmental motivations behind reducing reliance on industrial animal agriculture. He highlights the lack of transparency in the meat industry and the significant impact that shifting to plant-based diets can have on reducing animal suffering and environmental degradation.

The conversation then shifted to the technical aspects of Revo Foods' innovations. Robin explained how their 3D food printing technology allows them to create plant-based seafood alternatives, such as salmon fillets, with realistic textures and flavors. He emphasized the importance of taste in driving consumer adoption of plant-based products, noting that while health and sustainability are important, the primary factor for most consumers is how good the product tastes.

We also touched on the challenges faced by Revo Foods in developing and scaling their products. Robin described the steep learning curve and the numerous technical obstacles they had to overcome, such as creating machinery capable of producing their innovative products at an industrial scale.

Health concerns around plant-based foods were another key topic. Robin addressed the misconception that plant-based products are inherently less healthy due to being ultra-processed. He argued that their use of microprotein, a sustainable and nutritionally complete ingredient, along with their low-temperature 3D printing process, results in a product that retains more nutrients compared to traditional meat alternatives.

We explored the broader market landscape for plant-based products, discussing the saturation of certain categories, like vegan chicken nuggets, and the importance of differentiation through technological innovation. Robin expressed hope that their unique approach to creating plant-based seafood would help them stand out and attract a broader consumer base.

Legal and regulatory challenges were also discussed. Robin recounted a legal battle Revo Foods faced over the labeling of their products, which highlighted the resistance from traditional food industry lobbies against new plant-based competitors.

We discussed:

• Robin Simsa's Journey: From biotechnology student to founder of Revo Foods.
• Influence of "Eating Animals: How the book inspired Robin's commitment to sustainable food systems.
• Technological Innovations: The role of 3D food printing and cultured meat in creating plant-based alternatives.
• Ethical and Environmental Motivations: The need to reduce reliance on industrial animal agriculture.
• Importance of Taste: Ensuring plant-based products are delicious to drive consumer adoption.
• Development and Scaling Challenges: Overcoming technical obstacles in bringing new products to market.
• Health Concerns and Misconceptions: Addressing the nutritional benefits of plant-based proteins.
• Market Landscape and Differentiation: Navigating the crowded plant-based market with unique products.
• Legal and Regulatory Challenges: Battling industry resistance and advocating for fair regulations.
• Future Vision for Revo Foods: Expanding product offerings and continuing to innovate in the plant-based space.

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😊 The Guest: Robin Simsa

His company: Revo Foods