This week's round-up of product launches from around Europe sees the plant-based trend continue to gain steam as Nestlé rolls out new vegan sausages that 'look, taste and cook like a sausage should'. Elsewhere, innovation in the low- to no-alcohol space continues apace and gut-health continues to resonate with consumers. Here are some of the on-trend new products hitting the shelves.
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This week's round-up of product launches from around Europe sees the plant-based trend continue to gain steam as Nestlé rolls out new vegan sausages that 'look, taste and cook like a sausage should'. Elsewhere, innovation in the low- to no-alcohol space continues apace and gut-health continues to resonate with consumers. Here are some of the on-trend new products hitting the shelves.
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Boundless, the 'activated snack brand', launched into Sainsbury's in the UK this month.
The company produces gut-friendly snacks that 'maximize the nutritional value' of its nuts and seeds in 'gutsy blends and spices'. Its range is also available in Holland & Barrett, TK Maxx, John Lewis and Boots Ireland.
Boundless will also launch a multi-pack bag, which will be available exclusively in all 460 TK Maxx stores from January.
Products include: Tamari & Aleppo, Cayenne & Rosemary, Turmeric & Smoked Paprika, and Orange, Ginger & Maple.
Boundless soaks its nuts and seeds in fresh water before baking them, which 'kick-starts their natural germination' and releases 'powerful additional nutrients and enzymes' that, the company claimed, delivers great gut-health benefits.
“In what has been a roller coaster couple of years the Boundless brand has gone from strength to strength gaining market share and winning a place on the shelf in some prestigious retailers. Boundless is on track to see 600% growth year on year,” said Cathy Moseley, Boundless founder.
“We are confident that we have some unique products which offer consumers a tasty and healthy snack unlike anything else. The next twelve months will see significant growth and we look forward to supporting all of our retail partners to drive our ‘grab-and-go’ sales and promote awareness and trial with new customers. We are particularly proud of our consistent 70% repeat customer figure which proves that we have struck a chord with those looking for an on-the-go healthy snack that packs a flavour punch which they love."
Nestlé plans to launch KitKat Gold in the UK next month. Announcing the new variant, Nestlé said it is building on the success of recent additions to the KitKat brand, including Green Tea Matcha and Ruby SKUs.
The new bar will offer a combination of Nestlé’s signature four-finger wafer on a milk chocolate base topped with white chocolate and ‘caramel notes’.
The four-fingered snack is a combination of its trademark crispy wafer on a milk chocolate base, topped with creamy white chocolate with caramel notes.
A version of KitKat Gold was introduced in Australia in 2018.
Alex Gonnella, Nestlé’s marketing director of confectionery for the UK and Ireland, said: “We’ve had an amazing response to the new KitKat experiences that we’ve introduced over the last few years. I am certain that KitKat Gold is going to be just as big a hit on these shores as it has been down under.”
KitKat Gold uses UTZ-certified cocoa beans sourced as part of the Nestlé Cocoa Plan. It has no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. It will be launched in Co-operative and Nisa stores as an exclusive on 3 February 2020, before rolling out to most major retailers from 30 March.
Plant-based baker GATO & Co is launching a new range, Cookies N Cream.
Announcing the move the company said it was delivering a 'modern twist' on classic cookie sandwiches.
The line will be rolled out exclusively at Boots stores in the UK.
The handmade biscuits are made with 'whole, simple ingredients'. They are plant-based, high in fibre, gluten-free, do not contain palm oil and, according to the company, have half the sugar of 'similar sweet snacks'.
Co Founder Kim Lamza explained:, “At GATO, we are passionate about creating super indulgent plant-based products that are better for you, your gut and the planet – the dream! Our treats are vegan friendly, packed with natural ingredients and contain much less sugar."
The line includes: Choc Vanilla; Choc Peanut Butter; Choc Hazelnut Butter cookies; and Salted Caramel.
Recipe box company Gousto is working with Meatless Farm to deliver meat-free meals to homes across the UK.
Available from January, Meatless Farm’s plant-based mince and sausages will be introduced to the Gousto menu. Recipes will include: 10 Minute Meatless Bulgogi Bowl, 10 Minute Meatless Mince Thai Larb, Meatless Sausage & Sweet Potato Mash and Meatless Sausage & Pesto Sandwich.
Made with Meatless Farm’s signature mix of pea, rice and soya protein, both meat-free products are high in protein, a source of fibre and gluten free.
Rhys Desborough, Category Buyer at Gousto, commented: “With the customer at the heart of everything we do, we’re excited to be joining forces with Meatless Farm, to give even more cooking inspiration to kitchens across the UK. Many of our customers are looking to adopt a flexible approach to eating this year, so they’ll be pleased to see our expanded variety of plant-based and vegetarian recipes featuring the best quality plant based-products. This is alongside our already extensive choice of over 40 recipes each week.”
Meatless Farm’s Account Controller, Sarah-Jane Virr, added: “Swapping to plant-based food should be both easy and delicious. We want the recipe range with Gousto to encourage more plant-based eating, whether this once or twice a week. It’s important we’re answering the demand from the UK’s rising population of meat reducers, vegans and veggies.”
Nestlé is rolling out plant-based sausages that, the company claimed, 'look, taste and cook like a sausage should'.
In Europe, the soy-based Garden Gourmet Incredible Sausage will be available in Bratwurst and Chorizo styles. It will launch for retail starting in March in 11 European markets, including Austria, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. Soon after, versions for restaurants and food service will be available to out of home customers.
"After the huge success of our plant-based burgers and grounds, we’re now adding another favorite. These plant-based sausages really deliver on flavor and texture," said Wayne England, head of Nestlé's food business. "Their juiciness and firm bite means you can cook and enjoy them any way you like, including grilling, roasting or pan-frying."
The new line joins Nestlé's existing range of meat alternatives on the market, including burgers, grounds, nuggets and schnitzels. Garden Gourmet also continues to expand its line of other products 'based on the goodness of vegetables', the company added.
"On top of meat alternatives, our chefs and plant-based food experts are developing tasty and nutritious veggie-centric ingredients and meals. These are full of flavor and surprising textures from vegetables, grains and pulses to inspire plant-based or flexitarian eaters to widen their horizons," England revealed.
Vegan savoury snack bar, The Savourists, has launched in Planet Organic in the UK.
Billing itself as a 'completely unique product', The Savourists said its snack bars are a 'protein rich' alternative to high-sugar snack bars.
"Dominated by sugary quick fixes, the snacking category simply wasn’t responding to changes in consumer behaviour. People are eating differently around mealtimes and are actively seeking more savoury alternatives, but snack bars have been slow to evolve to this shift," co-founder Harry Turpin explained.
The Savourists bars deliver umami flavours and plant protein for the 'next generation savoury snacks', he continued.
The line includes two flavours: black olive & Nori seaweed and sundried tomato & herb.
The bars are made of compressed pumpkin and sunflower seeds, contain 'over' 6g of protein, under 1.5g of sugar and are gluten free, vegan and high fibre.
The RRP will be £1.85 for a single bar. The range will be available in independent stores across the UK as well as leading health food shops, wholesalers and online, the company revealed.
Beverage group Lucky Saint and snack group Made for Drink have collaborated to develop a snacking experience to complement Lucky Saint's 'groundbreaking' low alcohol lager.
Lucky Saint 0.5% Superior Unfiltered Lager is brewed the same way as a full-strength beer, using just four natural ingredients. Lucky Saint is available in over 1000 venues including restaurants, hotels, and gastro-pubs as well as Sainsbury’s off-trade.
Made for Drink has produced a bespoke bar snack made from almonds roasted with rock salt and organic candied orange peel to accompany Lucky Saint larger.
"Made For Drink was an obvious choice of brand partner due to our shared drive to make food and drinks of uncompromising taste, using only the finest ingredients and processes possible," according to Lucky Saint founder Luke Boase.
Made for Drink founder, Dan Featherstone, added: "Lucky Saint is leading the way with a stunning alcohol-free lager and we’ve designed the perfect snack to elevate your (alcohol-free) drinking experience this January."
