In this week's new product and innovation round-up, FoodNavigator spotlights the launch of new active nutrition brand featuring insect and plant-based protein, Protein Rebel, and looks at the development of a new collagen and protein beverage brand, Maluma, in Germany.
Here are this week's innovation highlights from around Europe.
Pic: Getty/Brankospejs
In this week's new product and innovation round-up, FoodNavigator spotlights the launch of new active nutrition brand featuring insect and plant-based protein, Protein Rebel, and looks at the development of a new collagen and protein beverage brand, Maluma, in Germany.
Here are this week's innovation highlights from around Europe.
Pic: Getty/Brankospejs
Active nutrition brand Protein Rebel is launching cricket and plant-based high protein powders.
The company said that the products include 'clean' ingredients that are 'great for the body, gentle on the gut and kind to the planet'.
Protein Rebel founder, Tim Boote, explained: “Protein Rebel is a challenger brand. We’re about doing things differently. We don’t use whey, sugar or artificial micro-nutrient blends in our products. Instead, we have clean, all-natural ingredients that are great for the body and have a low impact on the planet. In fact, we use no more than nine real-food ingredients in each product.”
“We’ve mastered making new types of proteins, such as plants and insects, taste great while retaining all their nutritional properties. Plus, our powders don’t give consumers that bloated feeling associated with whey. As crickets contain a natural prebiotic, this gives the gut a healthy boost.”
Three Protein Rebel powders are being launched:
- Reload (£28.95 for 19 servings) - a cricket and plant-based high protein powder that’s great for building and repairing muscle mass;
- Recover (£23.95 for 13 servings) - a high protein and high carbohydrate vegan sports nutrition powder for post-workout recovery;
- Replace (£28.95 for 17 servings) - a vegan meal and snack replacement protein powder for slimming down and toning up. All are available in dark chocolate and banana flavours.
The company described crickets as 'an all-round superfood'. They are rich in protein and essential amino acids, high in iron and vitamin B12 and are packed full of prebiotic fibre making them good for the gut. Insects have also been found to be great sources of zinc, copper, magnesium and manganese.
“Crickets and plants are great sources of protein and have a much lower impact on the planet than whey. Our products are ideal for people wanting to tone-up, shape-up and feel great but in a healthy and natural way," Boote concluded.
Image: Supplied by Protein Rebel
German beverage creator Black Labels Company (BLC) have launched Maluma, the first collagen protein drinks in Ardagh Group cans.
The NPD targets 'health-conscious consumers looking for a delicious drink that also provides a boost of nutrients', the company said.
The launch comes amid growing demand for innovative health-focused beverages, as more soft-drink consumers are making choices with health and beauty in mind, according to GlobalData research.
Its specific blend of nutrients, including B-vitamins and a high level of protein, support the body’s natural production of collagen, according to BLC. This is essential for skin health and elasticity. The drinks are low in calories and free of artificial flavours and preservatives.
The range comes in three flavours: Goji with strawberry and basil; açaí with guava and ginger; and passion fruit with lemongrass.
Rolf Fritsch, CEO of Black Labels Company, explained: “We are always looking to create new beverage specialties of the highest quality at the best price. Maluma is our innovation in response to a demand for feel-good, natural drinks that not only have nutrients to support the skin, metabolism and immune system, but are also convenient to buy and drink on-the-go and look great in the hand.”
The collagen protein drinks from Maluma will be available in all ALDI SÜD branches, under the supermarket’s WHAT'S NEXT promotion for start-ups and companies with innovative ideas.
Image: Supplied by Maluma
A new confectionery brand from James Cadbury - founder of ethical chocolate brand Love Cocoa and descendent of chocolate pioneer John Cadbury - is launching its first oat milk chocolate range this December.
HiP (Happiness in Plants) promises a creamy oat-based alternative to milk chocolate. The four-strong line-up will include: Smooth & Creamy, Cookies & Cream, Salted Caramel and Salty Pretzel flavours, RSP £2.50/70g bar.
HiP’s unique brand proposition is designed to make consumers 'sit up and take notice', the company said. The plant-powered range is handmade in the UK using sustainably-sourced single origin cocoa with plastic-free packaging.
The launch seeks to tap into the current flexitarian trend, which has seen traditional meat and dairy eaters reduce their intake of animal products. Alongside this, consumer demand continues to grow for plant-based, sustainable brands. Producing oat milk has minimal environmental impact versus traditional dairy milk, HiP claimed.
James Cadbury commented: “We’ve seen a wave of innovative products that mimic the taste and structure of meat and dairy products in recent years. The launch of HiP and our new oat milk chocolate bars will stretch the confectionery category, driving increased excitement and engagement. I believe these innovative, first-to-market products will deliver great-tasting oat milk chocolate to younger consumers who are looking for compelling dairy-free/vegan alternatives.”
Making oat milk chocolate utilises completely different production techniques and Cadbury observed it’s been a learning curve to guarantee the taste and texture of the new bars is on point: “The problem with current dairy free chocolate on the market is that the taste is incomparable to a traditional milk chocolate bar. Plant-based milk chocolate flavours and packaging are often bland and we think we’ve come up with a winning combination that will be hard to beat.”
HiP is currently in talks with UK retailers regarding launching in December 2020 in time for Veganuary, with a UAE supermarket and Scandinavian health store retailer already signed up.
Image: Provided by HiP
Bahlsen, the German family-run biscuit company, is launching of two new biscuits, Bahlsen Choco Leibniz Baileys and Bahlsen Baileys Squares, available in most major supermarkets this Autumn.
The new limited edition SKUs have been created in collaboration with spirits brand Baileys and aim to capitalise on growth within the 'Special Treats' category.
New Bahlsen Choco Leibniz Baileys feature Bahslen’s signature crisp butter biscuit set in silky smooth irresistible continental milk chocolate infused with Baileys Original Irish Cream. More chocolate than biscuit, Bahlsen Choco Leibniz Baileys are a 'little bit fancy', the company said.
Available in 125g packs (9 biscuits) with an RRP of £1.79, the new SKU will be available from Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Ocado, Nisa as well as selection of independent retailers.
The Bahlsen Baileys Squares are made up of a centred layer infused with the taste of Baileys Original Irish Cream, sandwiched between a wafer biscuit topped with a slab of continental chocolate.
Available to buy in 125g packs (12 biscuits) with an RRP of £1.79, the product will be available from Tesco, Asda, Waitrose, Ocado, Nisa as well a selection of independent retailers.
Julien Lacrampe, Trade Marketing Manager at Bahlsen commented: "Consumer appetite for Special Treats has seen ongoing popularity over the years, with consumers keen to have indulgent biscuits that are ‘worth the calories’, which is particularly reflected in the growth of Choco Leibniz. These two new product developments, in collaborations with Baileys, a much loved consumer treat, are some of the most indulgent biscuits we’ve created and we’re excited for consumers to enjoy them this Autumn.”
Image: Provided by Bahslen
Goodfella’s is launching a new on-pack promotion to 'celebrate the big night in' by giving shoppers the opportunity to win a top prize of £10k.
The promotion comes after an extra 1.7m buyers bought into the frozen pizza category during the initial stages of lockdown, with many looking to recreate out of home dining experiences, the brand noted.
Claire Hoyle, Head of Marketing at Goodfella’s, commented: “During lockdown, we saw shoppers turn to our products to help them replicate the experience of dining out, but at home. As we now exit lockdown, shoppers within the same household are continuing to spend time together, particularly as they unwind on an evening or at the weekend. It was therefore important that we launched a campaign to bring plenty of enjoyment to the big night in occasion, and we’re confident this on-pack promotion will achieve this.
“Having tested the promotion with shoppers, we found that over 80% of respondents found the prize offer appealing and we’re confident the campaign will help retain some of the 1.7m new shoppers who have bought into the frozen pizza category in recent weeks.”
The promotion will be live across the bestselling Goodfella’s SKUs, and will be available across grocery, wholesale and convenience channels.
Image: Supplied by Goodfella's
Podberry, the UK’s first freeze-dried seasoned snack product made with Scottish-grown peas, has secured two new listing across both Lidl and The Cooperative in Scotland.
Launching in 104 Lidl stores from for an initial two-week period, situated in the Special Buy Scottish Larder Section for Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight, Lidl will stock both Podberry's Sweet Chilli and Sea Salt and Balsamic Vinegar variants at a special price of 59p per pack.
Podberry will also be launching its Sea Salt and Balsamic Vinegar and Sweet Chilli varieties in 30 Co-op stores across Scotland from November.
The brand is currently stocked in Morrisons, independents and available online via their own store.
The entire range, of four different and delicious flavours, are completely vegan, high in protein, low in fat, gluten free and 1 of your 5 a day.
Gemma Rae, Commercial Manager at Podberry said: “We’re really excited to see Podberry securing listings in more locations across Scotland. We hope an increased shelf presence will allow more people to discover the brand and purchase Podberry more conveniently as part of their weekly shop.
“It has obviously been a tough year for producers, but as things begin to return to normal, a purchase of Podberry is not only a unique, healthy and delicious snack for people to enjoy but a way to support a Scottish business too."
Image: Supplied by Podberry
This September, Pip & Nut will launch the latest in its Limited Edition line-up, a new Gingerbread Almond Butter.
The new variant will support the brand’s local Hackney Foodbank, with an on pack 25p donation for every jar sold.
It will roll-out nationwide in Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Ocado and Whole Foods.
The NPD marks the first on-pack charity partnership for Pip & Nut. It’s the latest initiative from the brand to support its local Hackney Foodbank, part of The Trussell Trust network, following their ongoing One from You, One from Us initiative.
Pip Murray, Founder at Pip & Nut, commented: “We’re really proud of our new Gingerbread Almond Butter not only because it offers a delicious, versatile and fun seasonal flavour profile but because it provides us with another opportunity to support Hackney Foodbank at this time of significant need. The charity has seen up to triple the demand for food parcels during the Covid crisis and there’s no sign of this easing up in the next few months. We are thrilled to have the ongoing support of our retail partners to help us to do this and are excited to see the Limited Edition roll-out into stores this month.”
Melanie Rochford, Business & Development Director at Hackney Foodbank, added: "With the money we receive from Pip & Nut through this initiative we plan to purchase a new van, which is essential for keeping up with the growing demand at our five centres, along with putting the funds towards top-up items that haven't been donated in sufficient quantities to keep up with demand. Every penny or food donation we receive is a massive help in enabling us to carry on not only feeding people in crisis, but working with other charities and organisations to assist clients to access the wider forms of help they need in order to find a way out of the poverty trap."
Gingerbread Almond Butter has an RRP. £3.95 and 25p from each jar will be donated to the Hackney Foodbank.
Image: Supplied by Pip & Nut
