This week's round-up of product launches in Europe sees the plant-based trend continue to gain steam with the unveiling of a fish-free tuna range aimed at providing a sustainable seafood alternative. Elsewhere, there are exciting versions of familiar items on display as new Marmite and Smarties varieties are unveiled.
Image: Getty/skrinka74
This week's round-up of product launches in Europe sees the plant-based trend continue to gain steam with the unveiling of a fish-free tuna range aimed at providing a sustainable seafood alternative. Elsewhere, there are exciting versions of familiar items on display as new Marmite, KitKat and Smarties varieties are unveiled.
Image: Getty/skrinka74
German frozen food brand Iglo Green Cuisine, owned by Nomad Foods Europe, has launched its Green Cuisine line consisting of nine new meat alternatives to be sold on the frozen food shelf.
The pea-based products are: minced meat, pulled BBQ strips, burger patties, mini-schnitzels and spicy meatballs, in addition to four ready meals – lasagne, vegetable bolognese, creamy fusilli in cream sauce with shredded meat and a chilli sin carne.
Antje Schubert, Managing Director of Iglo Western Europe, said: “With a broad starting range of frozen products based on plant proteins, we are providing consumers with an attractive offer. Our goal is nothing less than to establish – together with the retail trade – a completely new category in the frozen food segment. With this strategic step, the segment has the potential to make the trend towards less meat in everyday life and a modern diet suitable for the masses.”
British Brand Moving Mountains’ plant-based sausage and burger products have launched in over 360 Jumbo supermarkets across the Netherlands (RRP € 4.99 for a pack of four).
Moving Mountains ‘authentically meaty’ products are currently available in more than 4000 restaurants across Europe, including the Hard Rock Cafe in Amsterdam.
The company says it took more than three years of research, with over 500 test recipes and in collaboration with scientists, chefs and farmers, to get to market.
Simeon Van der Molen, Founder of Moving Mountains said: “We are pleased that our products are now available in the Netherlands. In the restaurants, diners sometimes send their food back because they think there is something wrong with the order – they think it’s real meat. We take this as a compliment.”
Nestlé has launched Smarties Buttons in all major retailers in the UK and Ireland.
Smarties Buttons are available in milk, white and orange-flavoured chocolate, all containing mini Smarties, available in both sharing bags and single packs.
Alberto Pisanello, Brand Manager for Smarties, said: “We know that Smarties hold special memories for so many people, and they are much loved for their bright colours, taste and texture. At the same time, consumers tell us they like their favourite brands to keep things fresh with exciting innovations and new varieties to try.
“Our Smarties Buttons offer all the fun, colour and crunch of Smarties, enveloped in a delicious smooth milk, white or orange-flavoured chocolate button. It’s Smarties reimagined, and we are tremendously excited to introduce this new addition to the family.”
The milk chocolate variety is available as a single 32.5g pack and a 90g sharing bag; and the white chocolate version as a single 30g pack and an 85g sharing bag. Orange Smarties Buttons, available in an 85g sharing bag, are available exclusively in Asda. Nestlé is advising a RRP of 65p for the single packs of the new miniature treats, while sharing bags should typically cost £1.59.
The Turmeric Co has launched its range of shot drinks into Ireland after seven years of development. The brand, founded by former international footballer Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu -- who claims turmeric aided his recovery from a broken leg, is available online and in over 100 Dunnes stores and selected SPARs across the country (RRP €2.99 per shot).
The brand consists of three flavours, with each 60ml shot containing 35 whole grams of fresh, uniquely extracted wet turmeric root.
Nature’s Remedy said the brand is the simplest way of adding fresh, organic turmeric to your diet, and Turmeric Fused with Ginger shot has an additional 2.5g of fresh and organic ginger root. The range is completed with Turmeric Fused with Beetroot, blended with freshly extracted beetroot and combined with flax oil and parsley. Additional ingredients in each shot include watermelon, pomegranate, pineapple and lemon, extracted directly from the fruits.
Each product also includes piperine, an ingredient which the company said enhances the bio availability of curcumin, the active ingredient within turmeric by up to 2000%.
After the launch of Marmite Peanut Butter Crunchy last year, Unilever will launch Marmite Peanut Butter Smooth in the UK in February (225g jars retail at £2.50).
Unilever said peanut butter sales have continued to drive the overall spreads category, growing at 3% year on year and the launch of Marmite Peanut Butter Crunchy “contributed significantly to this growth”.
The smooth variant has been designed to “ensure retailers continue to drive incremental category sales by appealing to new shoppers who prefer smooth over crunchy peanut butter (44%)”.
The new variant is currently available in Morrisons and will roll out nationwide from 3rd February 2020.
Fikerte Woldegiorgis, foods brand experience director at Unilever UK&I, said: “When it comes to Marmite, people either love it or hate it – similar to the debate over smooth versus crunchy peanut butter.
“Not only will this new launch provide smooth peanut butter lovers with a brand-new option, drive incremental sales and category growth, it will also see us continue in our mission to provide better breakfast choices.”
Good Catch has launched a three-strong plant-based tuna range in UK Tesco stores designed to tap into growing demand for vegan-friendly, plant-based protein alternatives.
The fish-free products have been co-created by Derek Sarno, the chef behind Tesco’s Wicked Kitchen food range, with his brother, Chad Sarno - who leads Good Catch culinary innovation. The range has been a success in the US, growing distribution to over 4,500 retail outlets in less than a year.
“Sustainability is, and will continue to be, higher on the consumer agenda than ever before,” said Chris Kerr, Good Catch co-founder and CEO, “and it’s no secret that this has played a huge part in the rapid growth of plant-based food and drink.
“Up to now, demand for these products has centred primarily in the meat and dairy aisles, with sales of meat-free alternatives growing quickly. Without question, seafood is the next wave, and offers a huge opportunity.”
Kerr added: “With scientists predicting that global fisheries may totally collapse by 2048 unless we act now, there’s a compelling case for the rising number of ‘flexitarian’ consumers in the UK to wake up to the environmental benefits of plant-based seafood, and start embracing these options in the same way they have ‘bleeding burgers’ and almond drinks – particularly when we can offer the same taste, texture and nutritional profile as seafood.”
The 100% plant-based tuna range provides a sustainable seafood alternative while delivering the familiar flaky texture associated with fish. With a six-legume blend of peas, chickpeas, lentils, soy, fava beans and navy beans with seaweed and algae extracts for a seafood flavour, there are three fish-free tuna variants currently rolling into Tesco stores nationwide, including: Naked in Water, Oil & Herbs and Mediterranean.
The Good Catch plant-based tuna range, (RSP: £2.50 / 94g) will be available in Tesco stores nationwide from January 2020 and will be available in the tuna aisle.
Supermarket Aldi is offering what it called the cheapest Valentine’s meal deal in the UK, coming in at just under £10 (or £4.83 each) for a starter, main, side and dessert.
The cheapest meal deal in the country starts with a Specially Selected Sharing Bread with Camembert (£2.99, 300g). That’s followed by Salmon Fillets with Heart Shaped Butter (£3.19) accompanied by a side of Specially Selected Barbers Cheddar Mash Potato (£1.99, 450g). Desert consists of Mini Heart Shaped Pancakes (£1.49, 300g).
Other options include the Specially Selected King Prawn and Scallops Starter (£3.99, twin pack), a Twin Pack 21-Day Matured Sirloin Steak with Pink Peppercorn Butter (£5.99), Specially Selected Duck Breast Portions (£3.49), Chicken Love Nuggets (£1.99, pack of 20) a Specially Selected British Beef Wellington (£4.99), Specially Selected Triple Cooked Chips with Beef Dripping (£1.99), Selected Profiteroles (£1.99, 8 pack) and Specially Selected Melt in the Middle Puddings (£1.79, pack of 2).
The menus are available from 11 February.
