This week's new product trend tracker brings us news of Kallø taking the rice out of the cake with the launch of lentil and pea-based varieties, while Balkan dairy group Food Union is shaking it up with a new line of yoghurt cocktails. Elsewhere, advanced recycling technology is driving packaging innovation at Lactel and products that deliver health benefits for body and mind show no sign of loosing steam.
Pic: Getty-Brankospejs
This week's new product trend tracker brings us news of Kallø taking the rice out of the cake with the launch of lentil and pea-based varieties, while Balkan dairy group Food Union is shaking it up with a new line of yoghurt cocktails. Elsewhere, advanced recycling technology is driving packaging innovation at Lactel and products that deliver health benefits for body and mind show no sign of loosing steam.
Pic: Getty-Brankospejs
Kallø is set to launch two premium flavours of its vegan-friendly lentil and pea-based Veggie Cakes: Tomato Salsa, Lime & Coriander and Caramelised Onion Chutney.
High in protein and fibre, the new flavour variants follow the launch of Spinach & Pesto and Beetroot & Balsamic Veggie Cakes last year. The rice cake brand, which is owned by Ecotone UK, revealed the range which is driving 60% incremental sales for the category and is in the top 10 SKUs in terms of value for Kallø.
The vegetarian- and vegan-friendly snacks are available now in Waitrose stores (122g pack, RRP: £2.49). Each pack contains 13 cakes.
“Last year was the first time we had taken the rice out of rice cakes to create a completely unique and innovative concept. The launch was well received and Veggie Cakes are one of the strongest performers in our product range. Introducing grown-up flavour profiles such as Tomato Salsa, Lime & Coriander and Caramelised Onion Chutney was a natural next step as we branch out to appeal to those savoury moments and offer a versatile snack that tastes just as good plain as it does topped," Hayley Murgett, Kallø marketing controller at Ecotone UK, said.
Pic supplied by Ecotone UK
Grab It protein snacks - formerly Grabits - have been rebranded with a new recipe that is palm oil free and has an extended shelf-life, without adding artificial ingredients.
The ready-to-eat snacks are available in five flavours flavours and are made with 100% chicken breast pieces. They contain fewer than 68 calories per stick, with 10g of protein and less than 1.3g of fat.
“We believe this is the best tasting meat snack in the market today,” said Felipe Castillo, director of marketing and innovation for the Grab It brand. “Consumers want a snack that’s not only nutrient-rich and high in protein but one that also tastes great. Grab It has it all with adventurous and international flavours, while meeting the nutritional values consumers are looking for.”
Grab It can be found in retail and convenience stores across the UK, including Budgens, Londis, Nisa, One Stop, The Range and Spar.
Latvian dairy and ice cream producer Food Union is giving a 'modern twist to traditional dairy' in the Baltics with the launch of a range of cross-category drinks, Shake Me Up.
Shake Me Up yoghurt cocktails from the Valmiera brand are billed as a drinkable on-the-go snack. The products are described as being 'gentle in flavour' with an 'airy foam' that is created by shaking the yoghurt drink for 15 seconds.
Five varieties have been created, including pineapple coconut pina colada and bubble gum flavours. More familiar flavours include green apple, peach and plum.
“Consumers are increasingly searching for nutritious and healthy products to supplement their diets, but they also prioritize taste, ease of use and excitement the product brings. Valmiera Shake Me Up products offer just that – an airy and bubbly moment of enjoyment, rich in taste,” emphasized Juliāna Juškeviča, Marketing Manager at Food Union Latvia.
Significant investments made at the Food Union Centre of Excellence for Fresh Dairy Products based in Riga, Latvia, have seen innovations such as yoghurt cocktails shaking up the category using insights from the ambient ‘bar’ category, the company revealed.
Pic supplied by Food Union
Swedish based company, WellBeMed, has launched WellBeSleep Shot and WellBeSleep Bar products at UK retailer Ocado.
The WellBeSleep products target 'individuals who sometimes experience difficulties falling asleep' and aim to support people making 'healthier choices' when it comes to food and drink.
“We wanted to create healthy, well documented products that can help against lifestyle-related health problems. Both WellBeSleep products were developed with the aim of becoming a recurring part of people’s evening bedtime routines. And using one of nature’s own resources, lemon balm, we were able to create delicious products that help you wind down before bedtime,” explained Victoria Lagnevik, Managing Director at WellBeMed.
The WellBeSleep shots and the WellBeSleep dark chocolate/oat bar all contain the ingredient of lemon balm which contributes to a better rest. Thirty minutes before you go to sleep it is recommended that you drink or eat the products.
“Our dream was to have our products launch in the UK in 2020, however the COVID-19 pandemic meant this wasn’t possible until now. Having our products stocked with Ocado is a huge achievement for us and we hope this is just the beginning,” said Lagnevik.
WellBeSleep products are already popular throughout Sweden. Both products will be available from Ocado from 19th May 2021 costing £1.99 for the WellBeSleep Shot (60ml) and £1.99 for the WellBeSleep Bar.
Fabalous has launched an Organic Hazelnut and Cocoa Spread, with an RRP of £4.99 per 200g jar.
A combination of organic hazelnuts, cocoa and chickpeas, the company said the spread is the 'first' to use chickpeas as its 'primary ingredient' at 32%. The result is a spread that contains 81% more protein, 43% less saturated fat and 57% less sugar than 'the leading brand in the category', Fabalous claimed.
Spring 2021 sees the addition of two new varieties in the range – Orange Hazelnut & Cocoa and Crunchy Hazelnut & Cocoa, made with hazelnut pieces 'for added bite'.
Key to the creation of Fabalous was giving an 'everyday staple' a 'healthier and more sustainable twist', according to the brand. The recipe is made up of eight organic and plant-based ingredients, and the company swapped palm oil for cocoa butter and sunflower oil.
Fabalous is also committed to plastic free packaging, with glass jars, metal lids and paper labels.
The range is available now from Amazon and Planet Organic and will be rolling out via delis, cafés and retailers across the UK from 2021.
Pic supplied by Fabalous
Chilled meat-free brand Cauldron is extending its tofu and snacking ranges with the launch of two new vegan products.
Launching first in Waitrose from May, the new launch includes Cauldron Tofu with Italian Herbs & Tomato and Cauldron Tandoori Bites.
The Tofu with Italian Herbs has an RRP of £2 for 250g. It aims to take tofu 'beyond the usual recipes such as stir fry or curry' and into pastas and salads. Cauldron’s Italian Herbs Tofu is easy to use, is high in protein, low in saturated fat, a good source of calcium and made from sustainably sourced organic soya beans.
Cauldron Tandoori Bites have an RRP of £2.25 per 200g. They contain curry spices and coconut, sweet potato, kale, red pepper and carrot. They can also be used as an ingredient in Indian style wraps or salads. The Tandoori Bites are a source of protein and fibre and the tray is made from 100% recyclable materials.
“Our latest NPD is targeted at plant based considerers, those shoppers who are looking to reduce their meat intake, whether that be for sustainability or health benefits. After the most successful Veganuary to date this year, it’s important that retailers keep up the momentum by offering shoppers innovative and exciting NPD in the plant based category. The Cauldron range is perfectly placed to show these consumers just how delicious and easy plant based eating can be,”” said Tom Lindley, Head of Cauldron.
Pic supplied by Couldron
Chemicals company Ineos and Lactel have partnered to produce 'the world’s first' HDPE milk bottles from 'advanced recycling'.
Advanced recycling enables conversion of waste plastic back to new, high-quality polymers, used to produce the Lactel bottles, the companies explained. This technology converts waste plastic back to its basic molecules which are then used in INEOS production sites to include recycled contents and replace traditional fossil-based raw materials.
Lactel is the first dairy brand to explore a solution for UHT milk bottles produced with circular polyethylene, derived from post-consumer recycled material.
"This trial production of 140,000 milk bottles, based on HDPE from advanced recycling technology, is a world first and a major step forward for Lactel towards a circular economy. This new innovative product will be used in the Montauban production plant for an initial production run. At Lactel we are extremely excited to bring this new environmental innovation to our iconic milk bottles," explained Anne Charles-Pinault - Lactel France General Manager
Pic supplied by Lactel
