UAE Halal Food Giant, Al Islami Debuts Plant-Based Burger

The UAE-based “Al Islami Foods” company has launched a vegan burger that mimics the characteristics of a beef burger using plant-based extracts and alternatives.

The new frozen burger is 100% vegetarian and high in fiber. It is the first product in a series of plant products that the company intends to launch and will be available in major cooperative societies, followed by other supermarkets and hypermarkets. There are also plans to partner with hotels, restaurants and cafes and export the product to other GCC markets.

“It took our team eight months to research, test and develop this product, and we are proud to have created one of the healthiest and best-tasting vegan burgers in the market today,” said Shahid N. Khan, the company’s chief executive officer.

The burger is made from organic, non-GMO sunflower protein, vegetable protein from beans and peas, along with extracts of onion, pepper, garlic, celery stalks, carrots and beetroot juice, making the burger rich and tender, perfect for grilling.

Additionally, the burger is free of preservatives and contains only 2.5 grams of saturated fat on a 2,000 calorie per day diet, making it a suitable alternative for those looking to replace meat with a healthy, high-protein option.

One of the advantages of this vegan burger is that it uses sunflower protein instead of soy protein, as soybeans are known to cause food allergies. Sunflower protein is high in proteins and fibers necessary for gut health, and it provides all the essential amino acids. The protein is also extracted entirely from sunflower seeds, so it is safe for those with nut allergies.

The vegan meat market is estimated at $ 18.6 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at an annual rate of 6.7 percent through 2024, according to global market research firm Euromonitor International. Of this global value, the Middle East captured $ 176.5 million in 2019, with an expected annual growth of 4 to 5 percent over the next four years.

Moreover, the per capita consumption of meat in the UAE is about 73 kg per year, while the consumption of Saudi Arabia is about 49 kg, which far exceeds the WHO recommendation of 18 kg. As consumers in the region seek healthy food options that do not compromise on taste or texture, the plant-based food market will continue to grow.