Nestlé opens Southeast Asia's first plant-based food production site in Malaysia

Nestlé has inaugurated a plant-based meal solutions manufacturing facility in Selangor, Malaysia, the first in Southeast Asia and one of only two in Asia, following an investment of $36.3 million.

Located within Nestlé's existing Shah Alam Industrial Complex, the facility can produce 8,000 tons of plant-based food per year. It will produce plant-based burgers, chargrilled pieces, schnitzels, and mince under the new Harvest Gourmet brand.

It has a built-up area of 6,000 square meters and is equipped with the latest food processing machinery and highly automated packing lines.

Harvest Gourmet has inked supply deals to global and regional restaurant chains, including Carl’s Jr in Singapore, KyoChon in Malaysia, and Element Fresh in China.

The facility has already commenced production of its new Harvest Gourmet products for the out-of-home markets and is getting ready to launch its consumer range, starting with Tmall and Hema stores in China.

Nestle also has a plant-based food facility in Tianjin, China.

According to Juan Aranols, CEO of Nestlé (Malaysia) Bhd, Malaysians are exploring alternatives to meat consumption, either because of health reasons or for environmental considerations.

Aranols described their range of plant-based products as an excellent nutritional alternative that supports healthier and more sustainable lifestyles.

Nestle's plant-based meat is made with ingredients such as soy, wheat, carrot, pomegranate, beetroot, and blackcurrant.