The 2024 Plant-Based Excellence Awards, held during the first day of Plant Based World Expo Europe at ExCeL London, celebrated the finest innovations in the plant-based food industry. Among nearly 200 product submissions across 15 categories, Let it V Foods emerged as the star of the evening, winning Best Meat Alternative and the coveted Best Product of 2024 award for their Veikon Bacon.

The Top Three Winners

Best Product of 2024: Let it V Foods – Veikon Bacon

Based in Barcelona, Let it V Foods has perfected a smoky, crispy plant-based bacon that delivers the satisfying taste and texture of traditional bacon. This win highlights the company’s commitment to quality and innovation. “It’s been two years of adventure,” said CEO Jorge Osés Labadie. “We are aiming to make the best bacon in the world, regardless of whether it’s from plants or pigs. This win is very helpful as we move toward clean label products.”

Second Place: Jay & Joy – Jeanne Alternative to Blue Cheese

Known for its artisanal approach to non-dairy cheese, Jay & Joy’s Jeanne offers a tangy, creamy experience reminiscent of traditional blue cheese. Its standout flavor and texture have made it a favorite among consumers and judges alike.

Third Place: MYOM – Original Oat Milk

MYOM impressed with its Original Oat Milk, a creamy, versatile beverage that prioritizes sustainability and nutrition. With oat milk’s rising popularity, MYOM’s offering stood out for its smooth taste and clean ingredient profile.

Category Winners

In addition to the top three, the awards recognized outstanding products in various categories:

• Best Alcoholic Beverage: Casa Savoia – Orancio
• Best Cold Beverage: Goodrays – 30mg CBD Sparkling Drink
• Best Condiment, Preserve or Ferment: The French Foodie – Original Peanut Spread
• Best Dairy Alternative Cheese: Jay & Joy – Jeanne Alternative to Blue Cheese
• Best Dairy Alternative Milk or Yogurt: MYOM – Original Oat
• Best Deli Product: Rumori Polpetteria – No-Meat-Ball
• Best Egg Replacement: Le Papondu – The Beaten Papondu
• Best Fish and Seafood Alternative: Konscious Foods – Classic Smoked Salmon
• Best Ice Cream or Frozen Dessert: Dairy Den Ltd – Pistachio Gelato Plant-Based
• Best Innovative Ingredient: Levprot Bioscience – Brazzein
• Best Ready Meal: The Plant-It Food Co. – Chilli Burrito Bowl
• Best Savoury Snack: Filbert’s Fine Foods – Japanese Teriyaki Mochi Rice Bite
• Best Sweet Snack: Dandies – Vegan Marshmallows
• Best Wholefood Product: Beany Products – Italian Style Bean Bites

Celebrating a Thriving and Diverse Industry

The breadth and diversity of product categories at the Plant-Based Excellence Awards highlight how far the plant-based industry has come in just a few years. When Plant Based World Expo Europe first launched, it would have been unimaginable to fill all these categories with quality contenders, let alone products deserving of excellence awards. 

Today, the competition is fierce, with remarkable offerings spanning indulgent snacks to cutting-edge dairy and meat alternatives. This evolution showcases the industry’s rapid progress and underscores the spirit of friendly competition that drives continual innovation. For food buyers and consumers alike, this dynamic landscape represents an exciting frontier, filled with ever-expanding options that cater to both taste and sustainability.

Each category winner demonstrated a unique combination of innovation, taste, and sustainability. The awards were a highlight of Plant Based World Expo Europe, reinforcing the event’s mission to showcase the best in plant-based food and inspire meaningful change across retail and foodservice sectors.

For more information about the winners and the next Plant Based World Expo Europe, visit Plant Based World Europe.