NPD Trend Tracker: From ‘climate-smart’ milk to reduced fat peanut butter

NPD-Trend-Tracker-From-climate-smart-milk-to-reduced-fat-peanut-butter.jpg
GettyImages/Shamanch (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

From milk produced by cows fed on burp-reducing feed, to peanut butter powder containing 87% less fat than its 'regular' counterparts, FoodNavigator brings you the latest in new product development across Europe. In this round-up, we also look at a new four-ingredient cereal from Nestlé Cereals and Ferrero's foray into ice cream sticks.

From milk produced by cows fed on burp-reducing feed, to peanut butter powder containing 87% less fat than its 'regular' counterparts, FoodNavigator brings you the latest in new product development across Europe. In this round-up, we also look at a new four-ingredient cereal from Nestlé Cereals and Ferrero's foray into ice cream sticks.

GettyImages/Shamanch

NPD Trend Tracker: From ‘climate-smart’ milk to reduced fat peanut butter
NPD Trend Tracker: From ‘climate-smart’ milk to reduced fat peanut butter (Shamanch/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

From milk produced by cows fed on burp-reducing feed, to peanut butter powder containing 87% less fat than its 'regular' counterparts, FoodNavigator brings you the latest in new product development across Europe. In this round-up, we also look at a new four-ingredient cereal from Nestlé Cereals and Ferrero's foray into ice cream sticks.

GettyImages/Shamanch

Plant-based seafood in foodservice
Plant-based seafood in foodservice

Dutch start-up NOVISH has announced its plant-based seafood products have launched into German restaurant group NORDSEE.

The company makes its products from plant-based proteins and ‘marine-inspired’ natural aromas to deliver the flavour and ‘white flaky texture’ of real fish. Its offerings are vegan, soy-free, and contain no artificial additives.

“The NOVISH team is very proud and excited that our products are now also available in foodservice. Due to the worldwide COVID-related lockdown, we initially focused on retail customers and have hit the supermarket shelves in 10 countries,” said NOVISH CEO Maiko van der Meer.

“However, we do see big opportunities for our products in the global foodservice market. Particularly our recently developed plant-based tuna flakes, which will find their way onto pizzas, sandwiches, pastas and salads. Also, the breaded shrimp which we are launching soon are really delicious.”

NORDSEE said its ‘delighted’ to offer NOVISH’s latest offerings in its restaurants.

“in 2021, NORDSE will be focusing on a broad-based product offensive. We started with our two classics. These two new products were developed together with the Dutch start-up NOVISH, which is positioning itself as a pioneer in the field of plant-based fish substitutes,” said the foodservice group’s CEO Carsten Horn.

“After a very successful test phase, which was characterised by strong demand, we can confirm he trend that a growing number of consumers increasingly want to eat more consciously and are actively seeking alternatives to their previous eating habits.” 

Image source: NOVISH

‘Climate-smart’ milk
‘Climate-smart’ milk (Diane Kuhl/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

‘Climate-friendly’ milk, made from cows fed on a supplement that reduces cattle burp methane emissions by up to 38%, is expanding its presence in UK foodservice.

The milk is produced in Lancashire from cows fed on a cattle feed supplement developed in Wales by Swiss-British agritech Mootral. The supplement, which contains garlic and extracts of citrus, is designed to aid digestion in cows and cut methane emissions.

That milk, owned by Brades Farm, is now available to consumers via a new partnership with GAIL’s – both via its outlets and its online shop.

“Our collaboration in the heart of Lancashire at family-owned Brades Farm has been a great success, cutting methane emissions while boosting milk yields and providing a premium product for the climate-conscious dairy drinker,” said Mootral CEO Thomas Hafner.

“Our objective is to get the highest possible number of farms using Mootral’s feed supplement in the shortest possible time, and our vision for the company is to provide Mootral Ruminant at no cost to farmers. From CowCredits to green milk production, to climate-friendly beef, Mootral’s benefits are apparent across sectors, making it a serious, long-term scalable solution in the fight against climate change.”

GAILS said it ‘prides itself’ in using the best ingredients it can find, and ‘milk is no exception’. “By this, we mean top quality and flavour profiles, and a like-mindedness in caring for the community,” said Romy Miller, Marketing & Commercial Director at GAIL’s.

“Brades Farm Barista Milk stands up beautifully in coffee, tastes great, and champions ethical farming and sustainability. Mootral’s natural feed for Brades’ dairy herd creates a premium barista-made coffee for our customers, whilst making a positive difference to the environment.”  

Swiss-British agritech Mootral, which has developed a way to produce ‘climate-friendly’ milk, is now expanding its presence into the UK via Brades Farm.

Mootral makes a feed supplement that reduces cattle burp methane emissions by up to 38%.  

GettyImages/Diane Kuhl

Richmond expands frozen range
Richmond expands frozen range

Kerry Foods-owned Richmond has expanded its frozen range with seven new offerings, from new pork sausage SKUs to patties.

Specifically, Richmond is rolling out two new variants of Pork Sausages, in BBQ and Mexican flavours, and a new sausage format: Richmond Sausage Patties.

The brand’s Frozen Ready Meals range has also been expanded to include single-serve options. New SKUs include Sausage Hotpot, Toad in the Hole, Sausage and Mash, and Creamy Sausage Pasta.

All new products are the result of a collaboration with frozen goods retailer Iceland.

“We’re thrilled to be expanding our frozen food range in this exciting collaboration with Iceland,” said Victoria Southern, Marketing and Category Director at Kerry Foods.

“Over the past 12 months we have seen rapid growth across the frozen category, which has been supported by our own sales.

“As the nation’s favourite, we pride ourselves on our commitment to flavour and bringing new products to market hat make dinnertimes at home more exciting and inviting than ever. We are so excited to be diversifying the frozen sector, giving shoppers even more choice at mealtimes and at accessible price-points.”

Image source: Kerry Foods

Peanut butter with 87% less fat
Peanut butter with 87% less fat

A peanut butter product with 87% less fat and one-third of the calories compared to regular peanut butter is now available in the UK.

PBfit’s powdered offering is vegan, gluten-free, paleo, and dairy-free, and made from three ingredients: roasted peanuts, coconut palm sugar, and salt.

The product contains 8g of protein, and has 70kcal per serving.

To make the peanut butter powder, peanuts are first ‘gently roasted’, and then pressed to remove the majority of the oil. The pressed peanuts are then ground into a fine powder and blended with coconut sugar and a pinch of salt.

The powder can be turned into peanut butter by adding a small amount of water. Alternatively, PBfit’s powder can be used to add a peanut taste to cakes, smoothies, and brownies.

The product is the best-selling peanut butter in Amazon in the US, and is now is available to consumers in the UK via the same platform.

Image source: PBfit

Nestlé Cereals launches four-ingredient cereal
Nestlé Cereals launches four-ingredient cereal

Nestlé Cereals is bringing a new, four-ingredient cereal to market: Shreddies The Simple One.

Made with whole grain wheat, fruit purée, date syrup and salt, the new SKU contains 5% sugar, with ‘no compromise on taste’. Further, it contains no refined sugar and is free from artificial colours and flavours.

Scoring a ‘green’ under the UK’s nutritional traffic light labelling scheme, Nestlé Cereals’ Regional Marketing Director UKA, Toby Baker, suggested The Simple One responds to consumer demand for healthy food, ‘especially following the pandemic’.

“Shreddies The Simple One is an exciting new addition to the breakfast table that caters to growing demand, with a delicious taste consumers will love. With increased interest in low sugar options, it offers retailers an opportunity to appeal to new consumers while driving sales.

“The launch of SHREDDIES The Simple One also marks a milestone in our promise to make breakfast better. While we are on an ongoing reformulation journey, having reduced average sugar in our products by 20.6% since 2010, this launch highlights our new innovative approach to NPD, in which we are not just reducing negative nutrients, but starting with less – just four ingredients in this case.”

Baker continued: “Being a non-HFSS and all green traffic light product, it also supports our wider commitment to ensuring the majority of our cereals are non-HFSS by the end of 2021.”

Image source: Nestlé Cereals 

Sugar reduced jam
Sugar reduced jam

British jam brand Fearne & Rosie has a new look for its reduced sugar jams and spreads for children.

The line contains 40% less sugar than the competition, and made with locally sourced ingredients where possible.

Designed to champion to ‘fun, feel-good personality’ of the brand, and to appeal to more families looking for healthier spread alternatives, the new look jars launched in Waitrose last month. Now the launch is extending to Ocado.

“I am so happy with the striking new look for the range and can’t wait to see it on shelf,” said founder Rachel Kettlewell.

“It marks the next stage in the Fearne & Rosie journey for us as we look to appeal to even more families. [Design agency Bun] has done the most incredible job. Ocado is also a really big win for us and we’re grateful to have them onboard as a retail partner.”

Image source: Fearne & Rosie

Ferrero ice cream sticks
Ferrero ice cream sticks

For the first time, Ferrero is venturing into the ice cream stick category. The new range aims to create a ‘new ice cream dimension’ in the market, by ‘building on its powerful confectionery brands’ into the ice cream category.

The three SKUs – Ferrero Rocher, Ferrero Rocher Dark, and Rafaello – will be available across five European countries early this year.

According to the Nutella-to-Tic Tac maker, consumers familiar with Ferrero Rocher will “recognise the great taste and textural experience of the typical crunchy shell of delicious chocolate and masterfully roasted hazelnuts, which unfolds in a smooth hazelnut ice cream enriched with a delightful hazelnut and cocoa swirl”.

The Raffaello SKU is inspired by ‘Raffaello’s iconic taste and texture’. “Raffaello ice cream combines harmonious exotic flavour, a crunchy white shell sprinked with coconut shavings and exquisite almond pieces with a delicate, smooth coconut flavoured ice cream.”

Consumers should expect ‘many more innovative ice cream products’, as the Ferrero Rocher and Raffaello Sticks are ‘just the first move’ in this ‘exciting ice cream adventure’.

Image source: Ferrero