‘[We’re excited] to provide the very first taste of the plant ball to Australians, as well as showcase other sustainable food options in our menu in a way that’s never been done before’

On October 6, Swedish furniture giant IKEA will introduce its new plant-based meatballs in Australia.

IKEA is also aiming to expand the launch to Singapore and Dubai in the coming months while having launched the plant-based version of its iconic meatballs in the UK last month.

Sustainable alternative to meat

The Pedestrian has reported that the company before the official launch will be giving 350 Aussies the chance to be the very first to taste the new plant ball through a series of exclusive dining experiences , which includes three courses of luxurious IKEA food across the country.

The ‘Sustainable Dining: A menu better for you and the planet’ will be hosted in all IKEA Australia stores excluding IKEA Richmond, Springvale and Adelaide and interested patrons possessing an IKEA Family membership can purchase a ticket, which will be sold at $25 per person.

Bijanka Zubonja, IKEA spokesperson said: “We’re excited to be able to soon start offering a more sustainable option of our original meatball without compromising on the classic IKEA meatball experience.

“Through the exclusive sustainable dining experiences, we’re able to provide the very first taste of the plant ball to Australians, as well as showcasing other sustainable food options in our menu in a way that’s never been done before.”

It is reported that IKEA will launch the plant balls in Singapore on October 12 and in Dubai in November.

Plant balls offer the same great taste of the original but are suitable for all: meatball lovers, flexitarians, vegetarians and vegans alike. Look out for the plant balls in-store from today and let us know how they taste https://t.co/T9Re1lIUOQ #plantballs pic.twitter.com/0EvtaOg8Bx

— IKEA UK (@IKEAUK) August 3, 2020

Climate footprint of 1 meatball = climate footprint of 24 plant balls

According to the brand, the meat free plant balls are made with yellow pea protein, oats, potatoes, onion and apple, and in line with IKEA’s sustainability pledge,  the new plant ball totals just 4 percent of the climate footprint of its meat counterpart, which means one meatball has the same climate footprint of 24 plant balls.

Sharla Halvorson, health and sustainability manager for Ikea’s global food business said: “At IKEA we sell more than one billion meatballs every year. Imagine if we could get some of our many meatball-lovers to choose the plant ball instead.

“If we were to convert about 20 percent of our meatball sales to plant balls that would mean around eight percent reduction of our climate footprint for the food business at IKEA.”

• Read: 7-Eleven just launched vegan sausages, pies and sandwiches at more than 700 stores across Australia

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Mohsina Dodhiya

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