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Hej meatball lovers: IKEA is working on a new meatball made from plant based alternative protein

An image of hands reaching in with a fork to a tray of meatballs, and another image of a hand holding a meatball on a fork.
Corporate newsPeople and Culture, Sustainability, RetailMay 2, 2019Last edited: September 29, 2021
New plant ball is a delicious food option for meatball lovers, flexitarians, vegetarians, and vegans!

Thu May 02 15:00:00 UTC 2019

[National] One of the most well-known IKEA icons is the Swedish meatball, traditionally served with cream sauce, mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam. IKEA is working on the development of a new meatball that looks and tastes like meat but is made from plant based alternative proteins

CONSHOHOCKEN, P.A., May 2, 2019 - The food industry is facing many challenges and often they are closely connected to sustainability. Research shows that to feed growing population, 70% more food will be needed until 2050, and that currently existing protein production cannot meet that demand.1

IKEA has the ambition to serve the new plant-based meatball globally in all restaurants. In the development process, IKEA is collaborating with some of the leading suppliers within the industry doing the first tests and tastings of the plant based alternative protein meatball.

“It is a really exciting industry! Looking at the quality of the products that we have been tasting I am looking forward to serving a delicious plant-based meatball made from alternative protein at IKEA. I hope that the many meatball lovers out there will like it as well” says Michael La Cour Managing Director at IKEA Food Services AB.

For 35 years the many IKEA visitors have enjoyed iconic Swedish meatballs at the IKEA restaurants. The new alternative protein meatball will be the fifth member of the IKEA meatball family. In 2015, IKEA added both veggie and chicken balls to the range, and in 2018 the salmon and cod ball was introduced.

“We know that the IKEA meatballs are loved by the many people and for years the meatballs have been the most popular dish in our restaurants” La Cour says. “We see a growing demand from our customers to have access to more sustainable food options and we want to meet that need. Our ambition is to make healthier and more sustainable eating easy, desirable and affordable, without compromising on taste and texture.” La Cour continues.

The first customer facing tests of the new plant-based meatball are planned for early next year. Some IKEA markets are already serving local dishes with a plant based alternative protein as an ingredient.

IKEA U.S. currently offers veggie balls and veggie dogs as plant-based alternatives.