X

Impossible Foods fake bacon is 'definitely on track'

But you won't get a taste until Impossible Bacon proves it can gratify even the "most hardcore bacon worshipper," Impossible Foods CEO said.

Joan E. Solsman Former Senior Reporter
Joan E. Solsman was CNET's senior media reporter, covering the intersection of entertainment and technology. She's reported from locations spanning from Disneyland to Serbian refugee camps, and she previously wrote for Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal. She bikes to get almost everywhere and has been doored only once.
Expertise Streaming video, film, television and music; virtual, augmented and mixed reality; deep fakes and synthetic media; content moderation and misinformation online Credentials
  • Three Folio Eddie award wins: 2018 science & technology writing (Cartoon bunnies are hacking your brain), 2021 analysis (Deepfakes' election threat isn't what you'd think) and 2022 culture article (Apple's CODA Takes You Into an Inner World of Sign)
Joan E. Solsman
dsc05434-01

Impossible Foods CEO Pat Brown at the company's unveiling of Impossible Pork at CES in Las Vegas Monday. 

Tyler Lizenby/CNET

Moments after he unveiled plant-based Impossible Pork at CES in Las Vegas on Monday, the first question asked of Impossible Foods CEO Pat Brown suggested another sham ham was top of people's minds: Is Impossible Foods going to attempt bacon?  

"Of course we are, and in fact, we've already played around with it," Brown said Monday. "We're not going to release a bacon product until we feel like anyone who is the most hardcore bacon worshiper thinks it's awesomely delicious. But we're definitely on track."

"It's going to be an epic moment when we serve the first kosher bacon cheeseburger," he added. 

Impossible Foods is one of a litany of companies feeding into a newfound frenzy for plant-based meat, driven by a desire to reduce the environmental penalty of animals as a food source and to explore possible health benefits of a plant-based diet.  

CNET's 20 favorite products of CES 2020

See all photos

In 2019, the Silicon Valley-based startup launched the Impossible Burger, and last year it was the buzz of CES when it introduced the second version of its burger "meat," which more closely mimicked the look, taste and smell of real beef. At CES 2020, the company debuted Impossible Pork, designed as a plant-base substitute for ground meat from pigs, with plans to launch Impossible Sausage later this month.

Impossible Foods and beyond: Burgers, bacon, fish born from plants and labs

See all photos

Brown declined to specify what, following pork, might be Impossible Foods' next imitation meat to come to market, but he  hinted that seafood is high on his priority list. 


The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.