Nilima Rahman & Kristie Wilson

Research and Facts

The main constituent of Quorn, Mycoprotein, is a naturally occurring, high quality, healthy form of protein.

Unlike other non-meat protein sources, such as soya bean and its derivatives,Quorn has an ability to replicate the taste and texture of meat exceptionally well.

This remarkable ingredient is then used as the base for more than 100 different food products ranging from mince to fillets, to ready-made meals and snacks.

Quorn is produced using a fermentation process very similar to brewing; only we harvest the solid as opposed to the liquid.

What is Quorn?

Quorn is many things to many people.

Launched nationally in 1995, Quorn is now the UK’s 35th biggest food brand, bigger than Heinz Tomato Ketch-up, Doritos and Innocent (AC Nielsen Brand Sales Index 2011).

The product was named after the Leicestershire village of Quorn.

The brand offers a wide range of meat-alternative products, made using the proprietary technology of Mycopro-tein that uniquely delivers the taste and texture of meat to the increasing number of people who have chosen to reduce, replace or cut out their meat consumption and who still want to eat a normal, healthy diet.

Quorn products are often significantly lower in saturated fat and calories than many meat equivalents and are a good source of protein and fibre too, making Quorn the ideal food for anyone choosing to eat more healthily.

The origins of Quorn lie in the 1960s when Lord Rank (of Rank Hovis McDougall) set out to find an alternative protein source. The solution he came up with was Mycoprotein. This was specifically developed into Quorn, a meat alternative brand that could replicate the taste and texture of meat exceptionally well. This enables consumers to eat their favourite meals, but more healthily and without meat.

Today, Quorn Foods is an independent company focused on creating the world’s leading meat-alternative business. In 2010 Quorn Foods’ turnover was £128.8 million, our headquarters are in Stokesley, North Yorkshire and we employ around 600 people across three UK sites.

Quorn branded products are available in 11 markets: Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Republic of Ireland, United States, Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

Although the food sold well in the initial test market of the RHM staffcanteen, the large supermarket chains were unconvinced until Lord Sainsbury, finance director of the UK’s Sainsbury’s supermarket chain, agreed to stock the brand.

Quorn is now the UK’s 35th biggest food brand.

It is also now the leading brand of imitation meat mycoprotein in the United Kingdom.

It is sold largely in Europe, but also in other parts of the world.

Quorn entered distribution in the UK in 1994, and was introduced to other parts of Europe in the 1990s, and to the US in 2002

Quorn branded products are available in 11 markets: Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Republic of Ireland, United States, Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

Quorn Foods’ vision is to help consumers eat more healthily and so create the world’s first $1billion meat-alternative business.

Quorn products are often significantly lower in saturated fat and calories than many meat equivalents and are a good source of protein and fibre too, making Quorn the ideal food for anyone choosing to eat more healthily.

Unlike other non-meat protein sources, such as soya bean and its derivatives, Quorn has an ability to replicate the taste and texture of meat exceptionally well.

(Vegetarian & Vegan)

The main ingredient in Quorn is mycoprotein, a high quality meat-free protein, which is naturally low in fat and saturated fat. For example, Quorn mince is 75% lower in fat and saturated fat than even lean beef mince. It also has all the essential amino acids you’d find in other proteins like beef or chicken, so is an ideal alternative for healthy eaters and vegetarians.

Quorn™ Foods is proud to introduce its first all-vegan product.  The new Vegan Burger is egg-free, but still loaded with flavor and nutrition just like all of your favorite Quorn™ products.  The burger is part of Quorn™ Foods’ effort to reduce its use of eggs in order to prevent cruelty to laying hens.  The animal protection group, Compassion Over Killing, praises the brand’s decision as “compassionate and socially responsible.” 

You can cook Quorn foods in your oven, grill, microwave or on the hob, as you would do for meat and poultry, but often in much quicker time. Plus, there’s no need to defrost Quorn ingredients – you can cook them straight from frozen.

Quorn products are now widely available and you will find a good selection in most supermarkets. They do tend to be a bit more expensive than meat, but Quorn products seem to be on special offer on a regular basis.

Ready/freezer meals- £1.80-£3.00

Deli slices- £1.50-£2.00

Snacks- £2.00-£2.50

Lunch pots- £2.50

Morningstar Farms is a division of the Kellogg Company that produces vegetarian food. Many of their offerings are meatless variations of traditionally meat-based products, including some that are vegan.

Morningstar is currently the largest vegetarian food producer in the United States.

In the four weeks to June 10, Quorn posted an 11.8% rise in sales (vs the same period in 2011), while market leader Morningstar Farms (owned by Kellogg) grew just 3.6%, Kraft-owned Boca (the no. 2 play-er) saw sales slide 1.4%, Garden Burger (also Kellogg) slumped 7%, Amy’s nudged up 3.9% and Gardein surged 24.7%.

Morningstar farms was introduced in 1970s whereas Quorn followed in 1995.

Linda McCartney Foods is a British food brand specializing in vegetarian and vegan food. The brand was created in 1991 by Linda McCartney (1941–1998), sold in 2000 to Heinz, and sold again in 2006 to the Hain Celestial Group, though the McCartney family remains involved in its development. The range is available in the UK, Ireland, and Australia, and consists of frozen vegetarian and vegan pies, burgers, sausages, and pastas.

In the past year total meat-free sales dipped by 7% to £152.8m [October 2010]. Bucking the downward trend, the Linda McCartney Foods brand recorded sales growth of 17.6% to £16.1m, boosted by a raft of new products introduced in the past 18 months.

The brand expects to attract one million new consumers in the next year on the back of the activity.

‘Make Quorn Change’

In light of current news stories about horse meat contamination, we understand that people are naturally questioning what is in their food and where the ingredients come from. We would like to reassure all our customers that Quorn is meat free and that our production processes are set up to ensure the integrity of our products. We produce the core ingredient for all Quorn products ourselves at our own facilities in the UK, ensuring that they are fully traceable at all times.