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, remains true to its expansion course and, as part of its partnership with Deutsche Bahn, now also enables all train passengers to enjoy a healthy source of protein without compromising on taste and consistency when it comes to currywurst, one of the Germans' favorite fast food dishes. The planted.bratwurst, which was just launched in April and consists of only six natural ingredients, is now also available as a vegan curry sausage on the menu of of ICE and Intercity of the German course.

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 FoodTech startup Planted proves that it doesn't have to be a complete renunciation to reduce meat consumption and do something good for the environment. Not only can the startup's products save up to 87 percent in greenhouse gas emissions and up to 90 percent in water (verified by independent expert Eaternity), but the newly launched planted.bratwurst also contains 76 percent less saturated fat and 18 percent less salt than an animal sausage - while offering 36 percent more protein. In addition, the ingredient list is deliberately kept short and natural: Pea protein, sunflower oil, water, salt, spices and yeast, fortified with vitamin B12. The proprietary fermentation step gives the product its unique bite, the right texture and an excellent flavor profile. Properties that have also convinced Deutsche Bahn (DB). DB is continuously working on adapting its menu and responding to the needs of its customers. After the successful introduction of an Italian Style Wraps with planted.pulled and the planted.chicken pepper-lemon basmati rice in on-board catering last year, the company is now also focusing on the cleanest and probably 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 give up 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 very pleased to be able to expand our already successful cooperation with Deutsche Bahn with our newly launched planted.bratwurst as currywurst. Particularly with so popular meat courts such as Döner or Currywurst we want to show as enterprise that an animal meat-free nutrition can be converted effortlessly, without renouncement and with purely natural ingredients. Because we are convinced of it with Planted : Who tried once our vegetable Currywurst, comes completely surely on another into the board restaurant of the German course back!", says Pascal Bieri, joint founder and member of the management of Planted. 

With the introduction of planted.bratwurst as a vegan curry sausage, Deutsche Bahn is thus sending out a further signal for more choice and sustainability in its dining cars. From 01.06. the new curry sausage will be available in all Deutsche Bahn dining cars.