Sustainable enjoyment on rails: Deutsche Bahn introduces currywurst with planted.bratwurst

Berlin, June 15, 2023 - The Swiss foodtech startup Planted, known for its plant-based meat made from all-natural ingredients, is staying true to its expansion course and, as part of its partnership with Deutsche Bahn, is now also offering all rail passengers a healthy source of protein without compromising on taste and texture when eating currywurst, one of Germans' favorite fast food dishes. planted.bratwurst , which was only just launched in April and consists of just six natural ingredients, is now also available as a vegan currywurst on the menu ICE and Intercity of the Deutsche Bahn.

Hardly any dish has been as polarizing in recent times as the currywurst. The quote from former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, who described the currywurst as the "power bar of the skilled worker in production" in response to the ringing in of the meat-free period at car manufacturer VW, is unforgotten. The currywurst has a long tradition and is firmly established among many as the German national dish for identity and sociability. 

Optimize instead of adjust: the sausage of the future 

The Swiss food tech startup Planted proves that you don’t have to give up meat entirely to reduce your meat consumption and do something good for the environment. Not only can the startup’s products reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 87 percent and water usage by up to 90 percent (as verified by the independent expert Eaternity), but the newly launched planted.bratwurst also planted.bratwurst 76 percent less saturated fat and 18 percent less salt than an animal-based bratwurst—while offering 36 percent more protein. In addition, the ingredient list is intentionally kept short and natural: pea protein, sunflower oil, water, salt, spices, and yeast, enriched with vitamin B12. The company’s proprietary fermentation process gives the product its unique bite, the right texture, and an excellent flavor profile—qualities that have also won over Deutsche Bahn (DB). DB is continuously working to adapt its menu and meet the needs of its customers. Following the successful introduction of “Italian Style Wrap” with planted.pulled the planted.chicken basmati rice in its onboard dining service last year, the company is now also featuring the cleanest and likely healthiest sausage on the market.  

On track for sustainability 

For Deutsche Bahn, as the most climate-friendly mobility company in Germany, climate and environmental protection is of central importance and more than just an attitude - climate protection is a primary building block of its green transformation with the goal of being climate-neutral by 2040. In this context, DB is also committed to offering sustainable and environmentally friendly food and beverages in its on-board restaurant and on-board bistro. DB has already been working successfully with Planted since 2022. "If you want to reduce your meat consumption but don't want to miss out on the taste of a delicious curry sausage, you can look forward to the new recipe for our vegan curry sausage," says Stefanie Berk, Head of Marketing and Sales at DB Fernverkehr.

"We are delighted to be able to expand our already successful collaboration with Deutsche Bahn to include our newly launched planted.bratwurst currywurst. Especially with such popular meat dishes as kebab or currywurst, we as a company want to show that an animal-free diet can be implemented effortlessly, without sacrifice and with purely natural ingredients. Because we at Planted are convinced that once you've tried our plant-based currywurst, you'll definitely come back for another one in the on-board restaurant of Deutsche Bahn!" says Pascal Bieri, co-founder and member of the management board of Planted. 

With the introduction of planted.bratwurst as a vegan currywurst, Deutsche Bahn is setting another example for more choice and sustainability in its dining cars. The new currywurst will be available in all Deutsche Bahn dining cars from June 1st.