29 The environmental impact of farming cows Meat production raises three pressing concerns that cannot be ignored. Firstly, there is the environmental impact, a looming crisis as the demand for meat surges worldwide. The colossal resource consumption, deforestation, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with meat production strain our planet’s delicate balance. By creating a heat-trapping effect, these gases induce climate fluctuations that disproportionately impact species inhabiting arid regions. The repercussions of this climate alteration extend to encompass phenomena like extreme weather events: the escalation of wildfire occurrences, the exacerbation of drought conditions, punishing temperatures, and disruptions in the global supply of food. Secondly, the health implications are undeniable. Excessive meat consumption has been linked to various health issues, including heart disease and obesity. In addition, the unwarranted utilization of antibiotics to treat cattle and other animals raised for food might be responsible for the surge in resistant “Inspiration from nanotechnology was a huge overhaul in our thinking of how to give plant-based meat a natural appearance,” A new startup at Bar-Ilan University has the potential to revolutionize certain aspects of food technology and production. That’s what Prof. Hagay Shpaisman is counting on with the creation of Malanta Foods. Working with co-founder Dr. Udi Greenberg, the duo has created a solution to an ongoing problem within the plant-based alternative meat industry: how to fashion a fat-and-muscled marbleized consistency to whole cuts of alternative meat. As head of the Directed Materials Assembly Research Group at BINA, Shpaisman takes pride in thinking outside the box. “Our group’s name is broad,” he explains, citing the idea that there are “materials” everywhere. “No one actually tells you what to study, so working with Udi we hope to influence every palate and plate on the planet.” Israel is at the forefront of funding for vegan and alternative protein startups, securing more than $320 million in investments in 2022, according to the Israel Good Food Institute. Although the United States has garnered a larger sum of investments, surpassing $857 million thus far, Israel takes the lead in terms of proportion, emerging as a global frontrunner. Today, despite reports of a downturn in investments worldwide coupled with a wave of public hesitation as to the underlying quality of plant-based meat, Israel is still at the forefront of innovation in food tech. That’s good news for Shpaisman’s company and for the environment. Where’s the Beef? A New Startup Conquers the Food Industry
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