CJ CheilJedang Expands Product Line of Plant-Based Brand 'Plantable'

Launch of 3 Types of Plant-Based Broth Dishes, Canned Ham, and Nuggets
Expanding Portfolio with Frozen, Refrigerated, and Room Temperature Options

CJ CheilJedang has officially begun driving the market by expanding its portfolio of plant-based foods.

On the 29th, CJ CheilJedang announced the launch of new products under its plant-based food specialty brand, 'Plantable.' The newly released products include three types: soup dishes, canned ham, and nuggets. The product lineup has expanded from the existing six items (dumplings, grilled short rib patties, meatballs, hamburger steaks, rice balls, kimchi) to a total of nine.

Plantable's soup dishes come in two varieties: Yukgaejang and seaweed soup. They use 100% plant-based ingredients such as TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein) and various vegetables, delivering a cleaner broth taste compared to existing Bibigo products. Due to the nature of shelf-stable products undergoing retort sterilization, they developed a plant-based meat formulation that is heat-resistant and has a dense texture. This allows the meat grain, elasticity, and texture to be preserved even after high-temperature sterilization.

The canned ham utilizes plant-based ingredients like TVP and sunflower oil based on over 30 years of accumulated canned ham manufacturing know-how. It reduces saltiness compared to regular products while maintaining texture and flavor. CJ CheilJedang previously introduced Plantable canned ham as a gift set in the B2B (business-to-business) market during last Chuseok holiday, and due to consumer response, it has expanded to B2C products. Plantable canned ham and soup dishes were first launched for two months through CJ The Market, E-Mart, SSG.com, and Gmarket, with plans to expand sales channels thereafter.

Plantable nuggets contain plant-based protein equivalent to about 15.3 eggs. Along with TVP, various vegetables such as onions and garlic are added to replicate a taste similar to traditional chicken nuggets. Notably, the nuggets are fried in fresh oil each time and then baked again in the oven to maximize crispiness.

A CJ CheilJedang official stated, “Although the domestic plant-based food market is still in its infancy, it has shown an average annual growth rate of over 35% in the past three years. Reflecting the increasing consumer eating experiences and needs, we will strive to develop plant-based foods to offer a variety of choices.”