What exciting innovations are hitting shelves this summer? In our latest edition of FoodNavigator's NPD Trend Tracker, we look at a West London start-up bringing plant-based protein m*lkshakes to market, a new range of gluten-free game sausages and burgers available in the UK, and a sweet granola for breakfast or dessert in France.
Pic: GettyImages/Shamanch
What exciting innovations are hitting shelves this summer? In our latest edition of FoodNavigator's NPD Trend Tracker, we look at a West London start-up bringing plant-based protein m*lkshakes to market, a new range of gluten-free game sausages and burgers available in the UK, and a sweet granola for breakfast or dessert in France.
Pic: GettyImages/Shamanch
West London start-up Grounded has launched a range of sustainably packed, plant-based protein m*lkshakes.
The beverages are made from ingredients such as sunflower protein, fair trade cocoa and coconut cream, and are available in two SKUs: Mint Choc and Milk Chocolate.
Dairy free, with 20g of plant protein per serving, and 40% less sugar ‘than most choc milk drinks’, the brand aims to bring healthy alternatives to the RTD space.
“At Grounded we’re all about cutting the cr*p, and it’s astonishing just how much of it there is in the RTD protein space,” said Grounded founder Gabriel Bean. “As a space synonymous with health and fitness, it’s mind boggling how many products sacrifice real, quality ingredients, for ‘too-good-to-be-true’ nutritional info.
“The market is crying out for a clean, genuinely natural, plant-based option. Our m*lkshakes have count just at the right time.”
From a sustainability standpoint, Grounded has ensured its packaging is up to scratch. The packaging is 100% recyclable and made from FSC paper board. It produces 75% less CO₂ than glass bottles and 41% less CO₂ than plastic bottles.
“Every brand now talks about their sustainability – we don’t want to join that bandwagon to tick a box. Impact on the planet is something that is as close to us as the ingredients we use, it goes hand in hand with our ethos,” said Bean.
UK brand Fruit Bowl is launching a new SKU: Dino Yogurt Eggs. The ‘eggs’ are made from raisins covered with yogurt in either pink, blue, or green.
“Ahead of the launch of Dino Yogurt Eggs, we’ve listened to our customers and conducted significant research into what parents want,” said Fruit Bowl’s group marketing manager Susanne Fraser.
“This showed key insights into a need for ease, convenience, portioning and great tasting, real fruit products that engage children on their level too. We know, as parents ourselves, that we want to offer the very best items that our children will realistically eat, which is why we have created Dino Yogurt Eggs – a product made to keep both parents and children happy.”
The ‘eggs’ are launching into Morrisons this week, and into Waitrose before the end of the month. Multipacks containing five 20g packets have an RRP of £2.
Frozen vegan ready meal brand Pep Kitchen has launched a selection of new two person and ‘bundle’ options for customers in the UK.
The new SKUs are added to the company’s single serve meals, and include ‘generous portions’ of Jerk Sweet Potato Curry, Coconut Dhal & Gunpowder Roots and Jackfruit Massaman Curry – all at £6.90.
A new ‘parents bundle’ is also now available. It contains 14 meals for £70 – equating to £5 per meal.
Wild and Game is bringing a range of gluten-free sausages and burgers to market.
The game specialist’s new SKUs include wild boar and apricot sausages and burgers; wild boar, chilli and garlic sausages; venison and cranberry burgers; venison and black pepper sausages and venison, and cranberry sausages.
All products and made with British game, which the company says provides a ‘lean and healthy alternative to factory farmed meat’.
“We pride ourselves on having great recipes that use a high percentage of meat – we don’t pad out our products with grain-based fillers, so producing gluten-free versions was an easy step,” said co-founder Steve Frampton.
“These new products are for everyone to enjoy, not just people who need to avoid gluten: these are great recipes, most of which offer a delicious combination of game and fruit that works beautifully. I’d urge everyone to try them – we’re really excited about what we have created.”
The new sausages have an RRP of £5.79 per 400g, and two of the gluten-free burger varieties are selling for £3.59 – all on Wild and Game’s website.
In France, as students prepare to ‘return’ to school – in whatever form that may take – a new granola is hitting the shelves.
The offering comes from SuperNature, which sells its granola range in 400 stores, from upmarket department stores to hotels and organic shops.
Rolled oats are roasted in honey, hazelnut paste and sesame paste, and tossed with hazelnuts, sesame seeds, and grated coconut.
The recipe brings an ‘original note’ to breakfast or dessert, says SuperNature, with, for example, fromage blanc, fresh fruit, or rhubarb compote.
SuperNature’s Hazelnut and Sesame granola has an RPP of €7.99.
