The Fake Meat Industry Is Failing, But That Might Lead to Governments Propping It Up.

As Impossible readies itself for more layoffs, the political and cultural establishment will be searching for ways to make us eat the bugs and the seed oils.

mpossible Foods, manufacturer of plant-based meat alternatives, is laying off 20 percent of its workforce. This will be the third wave of layoffs at Impossible in just the last year, and marks another wretched milestone for the beleaguered company which has continually failed to justify its own hype.

The fresh round of cuts was reported on Monday by Bloomberg, citing an unnamed source. If the cuts go as deep as the source claims, around 140 of the company’s 700 staff will go. The move comes off the back of attempts to reduce the company’s headcount through voluntary buyouts. So far, the company has not responded.

Impossible Foods maintains it is simply streamlining its business

Sales of refrigerated meat alternatives were down 10.5 percent for the year to September 4th 2022, according to the Bloomberg cover story.

Industry experts have blamed a number of factors. One is the growing cost-of-living crisis, which has driven consumers back to real meat, which remains cheaper.

Beyond Meat experienced high-profile failure last year, when its much-touted pilot collaboration with McDonald’s, the “McPlant” burger, was not continued by the fast-food giant.

Is Fake Meat Dead Meat?

While our first instinct might be to cheer the latest bad news from the fake-food industry, reports of its demise are greatly exaggerated. Billions have been poured into plant-based and alternative meats and they have the full moral and institutional backing of the scientific, political, and cultural establishments. Fake foods aren’t going anywhere, sadly.

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