In this week's innovation trend tracker, FoodNavigator highlights some of the most interesting product developments from around Europe, from efforts to cut plastic packaging to nutritious and indulgent dairy launches.
In this week's innovation trend tracker, FoodNavigator highlights some of the most interesting product developments from around Europe, from efforts to cut plastic packaging to nutritious and indulgent dairy launches.
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Biotiful Dairy has launched Kefir Quark with Compote in three “indulgent” variants – Kefir Quark with Strawberry & Rhubarb Compote, Kefir Quark with Raspberry Compote and Kefir Quark with Black Cherry Compote.
The range will be rolled out in Sainsbury’s and Whole Foods Market with an RRP £1.50.
The NPD combines kefir and quark cultures to create what the company described as a “highly nutritious” dairy snack together with a “fruity indulgent twist”. Biotiful Kefir Quark has over 40 strains of gut-friendly beneficial bacteria and contains 17 g of protein and 116 calories per pot.
The company is positioning the line as an “upgrade” to “sugar-laden yoghurt”. The line is free from artificial sugar.
Natasha Bowes, founder of Biotiful Dairy explained: “Our new Kefir Quark with Compote is the latest step towards our wider mission of transforming dairy. From our own research, we know consumers want nutrition from their dairy without compromising on taste – as with all our products, this range offers just that.
“The indulgent fruit compotes alongside our unique combination of Kefir and Quark, delivers a tasty and creamy gut-friendly snack or on-the-go breakfast, all with no sugar added. We hope it encourages consumers to upgrade their everyday dairy purchases and enables them to consume delicious, more nutritious, functional foods daily.”
AllFair is launching a new free-from snack bar in Germany: Rocky Rice.
The bar combines rice waffles with chocolate and comes in three varieties: Milk Chocolate, Bittersweet and Coconut.
A multi-pack contains five individually packaged bars at an RRP of €1.59-1.99.
The bars are gluten-free, do not contain palm oil and UTZ-certified.
Chewing gum brand Peppersmith plans to roll out a plastic-free new packaging redesign in May. The packaging has been adapted to have a “perforated tamper-free tab” to ensure freshness so is now it is even more eco-friendly, using FSC accredited card and plant-based sweetener xylitol.
Each display box will feature an image of the flavour - a spearmint or peppermint leaf, lemon or strawberry. The new designs have been created by B&B Studio, who also crafted the designs for brands such as Pip & Nut and Fever Tree.
The products use plant-based sweetener xylitol - a sugar substitute that is low calorie, low GI. The company also noted it was beneficial for dental health by “minimising the build-up of plaque and killing 90% of bacteria in the mouth”.
Peppersmith mints and gum are vegan-friendly.
Head of marketing and creative at Peppersmith, Sasha Holt, commented: “We’re super excited to show the world our new plastic-free packaging. We’ve listened to our customers and worked really hard to make a recyclable tamperproof plastic-free design work. The new bold and modern look will also give us much more impact and stand out and we can’t wait to see it on the shelves.”
The Peppersmith range consists of: Peppermint Mints, Extra Strong Mints, Lemon Mints, Strawberry Pastilles, Peppermint Chewing Gum & Spearmint Chewing Gum.
Intermarché, the French retailer, is rolling out a line of better-for-you ice lollies that contain just three ingredients and no added sugar.
The desserts contain just fruit puree, lemon juice and apple juice.
The fruit sticks will be available under the Adélie L’Essentiel label and are rated ‘A’ in the NutriScore system.
The ice lollies are free from additives and preservatives and contain 100% fruit, the supermarket group stressed.
Plant-based, free-from and vegan dessert manufacturer Freaks of Nature have expanded their offering into the foodservice market for the first time.
The company has appointed Vegetarian Express as their distributor to caterers, hotels and restaurants.
Their new range of dairy and gluten free melt-in-the middle hot puddings will launch with two varieties – Chocolate Fudge and Sticky Toffee. Using their innovative recipe, these hot puds are free from the top 14 allergens. The puddings come in 130 g portions with 24 portions per case.
The line aims to solve the back of house problem of having multiple desserts to cater to diners’ different requirements by being suitable for 99% of the population. The frozen desserts need to be defrosted and heated.
Sales Director, Paul Downing said: “At Freaks of Nature, we’re all about making delicious, indulgent puddings that everyone can enjoy. Appointing Vegetarian Express is a hugely exciting development for us as it will empower our customers to simplify their pudding offering and save complexity in the kitchen. Freaks of Nature’s puddings truly are for one and all.”
Freaks of Nature create their range of hot melt-in-the-middle puddings, cold-eat desserts and yoghurts at their own accredited factory. Each product is gluten, dairy, egg and soya free, produced using 100% plant-based products, without artificial additives, preservatives or refined sugar.
This is the first trade expansion from Freaks of Nature, who are already known for their retail products which are stocked in Waitrose, Ocado, Morrison’s, Asda and Planet Organic, Sainsbury’s and Whole Foods.
French pasta maker Alpina Savoie is launching a range of tomato sauces.
Semolina pasta maker Alpina Savoie has developed a range of sauces that contain tomatoes grown in Provence and ingredients that are guaranteed pesticide free. The range is available in a glass jar, which is 100% recyclable.
The company said this reflects French consumer demand for products that are healthy and sustainably produced.
Announcing the launch, Alpina Savoie said the range is intended to complement its pasta and couscous offering. The four sauce varieties are made from natural ingredients, including basil and herbes de Provence. The recipes are free from colours and preservatives.
The company said the line aims to tap into growing demand for vegetable-based products and food that is less processed and can act as a base for meals that are more “homemade”.
Unilever’s premium ice cream brand Magnum is launching a new White Chocolate & Cookies range.
The company described the line as “playful and indulgent”.
It will be available in both stick and tub formats.
The stick offers an outer-layer of signature cracking white chocolate, with speckles of cookie crumb pieces, and a panna ice cream with a cookie flavour chocolate sauce swirl core.
Meanwhile the tub is topped with a white chocolate and cookie crumb disk with panna ice cream, white chocolate shards and cookie flavor chocolate swirl beneath.
The Magnum White Chocolate & Cookies Sticks have an RRP of: £3.69 for a 3 pack; £3.93 for a pack of 6 mini sticks; and £2.00 for a single stick. The tubs have an RRP of £3.85 for 440 millilitres.
The range is Rainforest Alliance certified and all cocoa beans have been responsibly sourced.
