Continuing its push for innovation, Beyond Meat has announced the fourth generation of its flagship burger protein. The latest iteration is made with avocado oil, a healthier alternative to expeller-pressed canola oil and coconut oil, which was previously used. It has only 2 grams of saturated fat per serving with 21 grams of protein from peas, brown rice, red lentils, and faba beans.

Compared to expeller-pressed canola oil and coconut oil, avocado has a higher amount of healthy fats, whereas canola is nearly devoid of nutrients and coconut oil is filled with unhealthy saturated fats. Beyond’s latest burger was created over several years of research that included partnering with leading medical and nutrition experts to ensure that health standards were met. 

You can expect to see it on shelves starting this spring, but unfortunately, unless you live near El Segundo, California, you’ll have to wait a bit longer. Swapping canola and coconut for avocado has reduced the saturated fat in the new Beyond burger by 60% to just 2 grams per serving. Beyond claims that the patty is just as juicy and appetizing. Along with a reduction in saturated fats, it also contains 20% less sodium and includes lentil and faba bean protein, both known to be nutrient-dense. 

Thanks to the advancements, Beyond Burger IV has been included in a collection of heart-healthy recipes certified by the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check program. It’s also been added to the American Diabetes Association’s evidence-based nutritional guidelines for its Better Choices for Life program. To top it off, the Beyond Burger IV and Beyond Beef are the first plant-based meat products to be Clean Label Project Certified. 

“Beyond IV represents a transformative step forward in delivering plant-based nutrition to the consumer in the form of meat. The development of the new products occurred within an ecosystem of leading medical and nutrition experts, and were designed to meet the standard of the national health organizations to create a product that delivers the taste satisfaction, and utility of 80/20 beef — yet is demonstrably healthier,” said Ethan Brown, Beyond Meat founder & CEO. 

Beyond IV is challenging the notion that plant-based burgers are inherently misleading health-wise. Previously, the inclusion of unhealthy fats blurred the lines. According to a 2019 Harvard Gazette article, Frank Hu from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health suggested consumers be mindful of ingredients in plant-based products, as many in this category often incorporate unhealthy elements.