Analysis
Beyond Mimicry: The 2026 Shift Toward Ingredient-Led Plant Proteins
The “novelty” phase of the alternative protein market has violently collapsed. Entering the second half of 2026, restaurant consumers are actively rejecting the hyper-processed “meat mimicry” analogs that defined the early decade. Driven by a demand for clean labels and operational transparency, diners are scrutinizing the long lists of synthetic additives in traditional plant-based burgers. […]