Rival Foods Launches Plant-Based Steak in the UK in collaboration with leading British plant-based brand THIS™

Plant-based steak from Dutch food-tech scale-up features a fibrous texture comparable to beef

Amersfoort, April 14, 2026 - Rival Foods and THIS™ have joined forces to introduce a plant-based steak to British supermarkets. The steak is crafted from plant-based fibers using Rival Foods' patented 'shear-cell' technology, creating a texture that closely mimics that of traditional beef.

The joint launch of this plant-based steak marks a significant milestone for Rival Foods and the global protein transition. “The plant-based market in the United Kingdom is twice the size of the Dutch market,” says Karin Löwik, CEO of Rival Foods. “The British food market also leads Europe in terms of trends and product variety. The adoption of our technology in this key market, in collaboration with one of the UK’s largest plant-based brands, is a major achievement. This represents a significant step not only for Rival Foods but for innovation across the entire industry.”

A Flavorful Protein Source

The new steak contains 30 grams of protein per 100 grams, significantly higher than conventional beef. Löwik adds: “This makes the plant-based steak a healthy option. Furthermore, the consumption of red meat is associated with health risks such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, and colorectal cancer. This plant-based steak offers a compelling alternative and, unlike many other substitutes, contains no artificial additives and binding agents.”

Market Launch

The Rival Foods and THIS™ plant-based steak will be available starting April 13th in major UK retailers, including Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, and Ocado. For THIS™, the partnership marks one of their most important launches of the year, supported by a multi-media campaign across the UK. “We expect this product to be a major success in the British market thanks to its superior texture, taste, nutritional value, and competitive price,” adds Debbie Epstein, Marketing Director at THIS™. In the Netherlands, the product will be available for the B2B market and foodservice. Löwik adds: “Due to its similarities in taste and texture and its excellent nutritional profile, this product is attractive to multiple markets. Following this milestone, Rival Foods aims to scale up to further markets with other partners, joining forces to achieve maximum impact.”

About Rival Foods

Rival Foods is a Dutch food-tech scale-up that develops and markets plant-based 'whole-cuts'. Founded in 2019 as a spin-off from Wageningen University & Research, the company is based in the Netherlands. Rival Foods utilizes its patented production technology to transform plant-based proteins into fiber-rich structures that match the texture and mouthfeel of animal meat. The products are entirely plant-based and free from artificial colors or flavors. Rival Foods collaborates with foodservice providers, retailers, and food brands across Europe. The management team consists of Karin Löwik (CEO), Birgit Dekkers (COO), Allison Woolcott (CFO), and Willem Spigt (CCO). Investors in Rival Foods include ABP (via APG), PeakBridge, PYMWYMIC, and ROM Utrecht Region.