Nestlé has inaugurated a production site for plant-based foods in Shah Alam, Malaysia as the company bolsters its plant-based presence in Asia.
The new facility has the capacity to produce 8,000 tons of plant-based food a year and will supply both food service and retail with the new Harvest Gourmet brand. Specifically, it will produce plant-based burgers, schnitzels, mince and more.
Harvest Gourmet has already inked deals to supply global and regional restaurant chains including Element Fresh in China, KyoChon in Malaysia and Carl’s Jr in Singapore. It will also supply growing demand in retail, starting in China with Tmall and Hema.
Nestlé is making sure local products are designed for the Asian taste and local cuisine applications such as dumplings, stir fry, braising, katsudon, and more.
In retail, first prepared dishes in China include plant-based versions of local classics like Gong Bao Chicken and Braised Meatballs.
“We’re really going ‘beyond the bun’ to capture local tastes and convince people to try plant-based options. We believe that the more people embrace plant-based food, the better for them and the planet. That’s why we are at the forefront of this shift and investing for the future,” said Chris Johnson, Nestlé CEO for Asia, Oceania and Africa.
