IKEA, Conshohocken, Pa., announced plans to collaborate with leading suppliers to serve a new plant-based meatball globally in all restaurants.

“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. “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. 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.”

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.