From a new line of vegan seafood options - including fish-free fish and prawn SKUs - to a range of traditional Greek fine foods, here is our round-up of some of the most exciting recent food product launches to hit the shelves in Europe.
From a new line of vegan seafood options - including fish-free fish and prawn SKUs - to a range of traditional Greek fine foods, here is our round-up of some of the most exciting recent food product launches to hit the shelves in Europe.
Mediterranean fine food producers Odysea has launched new retail products: of Odysea Date Molasses; Odysea Sautéed Mushrooms Marinated in Oil with Parsley; Odysea Artichoke Quarters in a Pouch; Odysea Beldi Preserved Lemons in Brine; Odysea Big Kalamata Pitted Olives in Brine and Odysea Big Halkidiki Pitted Olives in Brine.
"The new products also offer retailers greater opportunity to purchase artisan products from Greece and the Mediterranean," Odysea said.
The company added that its new SKUs complement trends that it expects to emerge in 2019. These include Products such as demand for products that complement "stripped back Italian cooking" or "intriguing and never-before-used kitchen condiments". The range also consists of several vegan products.
Sainsbury’s is expanding its "next -gen" plant-based range to include vegan fish and seafood, from fishless filets to smoked salmon and vegan prawns.
Included in the range is supermarket exclusive Gardein Fishless Filets, made by Garden Protein International. Sophie’s Kitchen Vegan Smoked Salmon, made from pea protein and Konjac – a high fibre Asian root – Vegan Prawns from the Sophie’s Kitchen will also join the line-up.
Rosie Bambaji, frozen plant-based buyer, said: “With the rising popularity of plant-based products, we want to make sure that our customers have a wide choice of tasty fish and seafood alternatives alongside newly launching meat alternatives. Each product in the range has been chosen to provide our customers with quick, easy and tasty options, whether they are vegan, flexitarian or just looking for something new to try.
“While meat alternatives have seen a real boom in popularity this past year, fish and seafood alternatives are still relatively new to the market – so we’re really proud to be extending our range for customers with these exciting, flavoursome products and can’t wait to hear how they are using them.”
French chocolate maker Michel Cluizel has launched a new chocolate collection.
The gourmet chocolate line consists of four varieties: Brazilian Arabica coffee beans coated in dark chocolate; a single-origin dark chocolate ganache made with cocoa sourced from the Los Ancones plantation, on the island of Santo Domingo in the Caribbean; almonds grilled in caramelized sugar then coated with dark chocolate; and single-origin cocoa beans from Los Anconès grilled and crushed and coated in dark chocolate.
Each of the Cluizel chocolates will be available in France at a recommended retail price of €12.75 fir 120g.
Netherlands-based Diviande has expanded its line of frozen steaks under the brand Passion for Meat, with the addition of ‘Easy Cooking’ products.
Diciande said that the launch aimed to capitalise on growing demand for convenience products. Passion for Meat provides “high quality” vacumm packed individually portioned frozen meat products.
The 'Easy Cooking' line distinguishes itself from the other Passion for Meat products by the price-quality ratio that plays a major role in this concept, Diviande said.
“By consciously staying away just a little from the expensive, high end luxury varieties and origins and by choosing for a different good quality raw materials, the products of 'Easy cooking' are affordable for a larger group of households.
“In addition, thanks to a special technique the frozen meat can be prepared easily and quickly, even without thawing, while preserving its taste.”
German health food group Dr. Klaus Karg has launched a new Hütts wholegrain snack range.
The line consists of six varieties, three conventional and three organic. The conventional options include: mountain cheese & meadow herbs; tomato & Emmental; and caraway & sea salt. The organic SKUs are: tomato & Emmental; rosemary & sea salt; and Emmental & Wiesenkräuter.
Announcing the innovation, Dr Karg stressed the “authenticity" of the Hütts snack.
The range is being marketed as a healthy alternative to potato crisps. The wholegrain nibbles are rich in fibre, the company stressed.
The line will be available in convenience, supermarket, hypermarket, organic and drug stores throughout Germany with an RRP of €1.99 for conventional and €2.49 for organic options.
Newlat is hoping to drive excitement in the dry pasta category with the launch of another flavour-infused variety under its Birkel brand.
The company is launching Birkel Pasta Inspiration Thyme-Rosemary, which it said provides “Mediterranean flair” and “new culinary experiences”.
The innovation is the ninth variety in the Birkel Pasta Inspiration range.
It will hit the shelves in February and will be available in cash and carry, supermarket and hypermarket retailers throughout Germany. The product has an RRP of €1.69 for a 350 gram pack.
Pukka Herbs has announced plans to rebrand and reformulate its ‘Detox’ herbal infusion product.
As of 1 February 2019, the aniseed, cardamom and fennel ‘Feel New’ blend will also contain turmeric, which the firm says creates an antioxidant-rich tea with anti-inflammatory properties.
“Feel New is the perfect blend to begin the new year,” said Pukka Herbs co-founder Sebastian Pole. “Created with 100% certified organic herbs, Feel New helps to eliminate toxins and boost our body’s own natural processes to protect the liver and intestine.”
The decision comes after UK advertising authorities told Pukka Herbs to cease using the term ‘Detox’, as the product has no approved health or nutrition claim.
“We respect the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)’s decision and, indeed, EU regulations relating to health and nutritional claims,” said Pukka’s herbal director, Euan MacLenna.
However, according to MacLenna, the decision contradicts previous rulings from Trading Standards and relates to advertising only. “Pukka Detox tea will continue to sell in the UK as has been permitted by Trading Standards until 2022.”
Feel Good will sell at a recommended retail price of €3.99 in Europe, and £2.99 in the UK.
