Maker of ‘complete food’ powders, shakes, and ready meals, Huel, has developed a plant-based penne Bolognese to which you just add water. In the Netherlands, Lipton Ice Tea has upgraded its packaging, and in Finland, a new line of plant-based ready meals have rolled out for health-conscious consumers on-the-go. For more new product development launches happening across Europe, scroll through the photo gallery…
GettyImages/kerlis
Maker of ‘complete food’ powders, shakes, and ready meals, Huel, has developed a plant-based penne Bolognese to which you just add water. In the Netherlands, Lipton Ice Tea has upgraded its packaging, and in Finland, a new line of plant-based ready meals have rolled out for health-conscious consumers on-the-go. For more new product development launches happening across Europe, scroll through the photo gallery…
GettyImages/kerlis
Complete food maker Huel is rolling out a plant-based Pasta Bolognese product into the UK. The plant-based alternative to the classic Italian dish is made with penne pasta and a tomato sauce.
The product contains 25g of plant-based protein per serving, as well 26 essential vitamins and minerals, totalling in 400kcal.
Designed as a convenient lunch or dinner, all the product needs is 200ml of boiling water. "The new product is both cost-effective [£2.66 per meal] and time-efficient, ideal for those with busy schedules who crave the hearty indulgence of classic Italian food, with complete nutrition guaranteed," noted the company.
The new SKU joins Huel's line up of 'nutritionally complete' products, including ready-to-drink shakes, powders, and bars, as well as hot and savoury meals.
Image source: Huel
Nairn's has added a new flavour to its gluten-free Oaties range: Choc Chip.
Made from gluten-free oats, the product is low in sugar and calories. As Action on Sugar reports, Nairn's sweet biscuit ranges have the lowest sugar per 100g and the second lowest calories per 100g out of 481 biscuits tested.
Nairn's Gluten Free Choc Chip Oaties contains 30% less sugar than the average gluten free sweet biscuit. They are high in fibre, contain no artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives, and contain 49kcal per biscuit.
A 160g pack have an RRP of £1.39 and are available in Sainsbury's.
Image source: Nairn's
In the Netherlands, Lipton Ice Tea has switched to SIG aseptic carton packs with 'full barrier' packaging material, as of May 2022.
All the polymers used are linked to certified forest-based renewable materials via a mass-balance system. The paperboard is from FSC-certified forests and other controlled sources, the forest-based renewable polymers are certified according to ISCC PLUS, and a thin layer of aluminium is covered by Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) certification.
"Thanks to our close cooperation with the team at SIG, we're able to package our ice tea in an even more sustainable way, as we aim to become a fully circular brand and significantly reduce our carbon footprint and that of our consumers," said Anne Kooijman, Assistant Brand Manager at Lipton. "Changes such as switching to Signature Full Barrier can make a big difference as we work to improve the overall sustainability of our product portfolio."
The switch is an 'important step' and contributes to the bigger Unilever sustainability goal of becoming fully net zero by 2039, we were told. The switch also makes a 'significant step' forward on Lipton's commitment to contributing to the circular economy and becoming a fully circular brand.
Image source: Lipton/SIG
In Finland, food start-up REBL Eats has announced the launch of six new vegan breakfast items and sandwiches.
The products are sold in eco-friendly packs that can be recycled after use. Flavours include: Berry Boost Chia Pudding, Beyond Pineapple & Mango Chia Pudding, Apple & Cinnamon Overnight Oats, Roasted Banana & Peanut Butter Overnight Oats, The New Yorker Sandwich, and the Saigon BBQ Sandwich.
"Our superpower is to make vegan proteins taste good and produce them at scale. We carefully select the ones we use, from traditional proteins like chickpeas and tofu, to more innovative ones. We are always on the lookout for cleaner ingredients lists and stay away from additives/preservatives as much as possible," said Valerie Asunta, co-founder and CEO of REBL Eats.
"Today, very few options out there can claim to be healthy, tasty, and convenient. But with our vegan chefs and nutritionists, together with feedback from our consumers, we have managed to make recipes that are loved and also light years better for the climate."
The company is also exploring other countries, with its current pilot in Stockholm, and is eyeing expansion in another 'major' market after winter.
Image source: REBL Eats
UK squash brand Robinsons is launching Benefit Drops mini packs containing different functional benefits.
The Britvic-owned range comes in four flavours, which the company said is designed to help consumers make tastier and healthier choices.
The 'Vitality' Benefit Drop, contains peach, mango and passion fruit, with added vitamin B3. The 'Immunity' product is made up of orange and guava flavour with added vitamin C, 'Boost' contains raspberry, strawberry and acai with added B6, and 'Focus' combines lemon with lime and ginseng, with added B3 and zinc.
"When people are on-the-go all day, we know it can be difficult to stay on top of keeping hydrated. Benefit drops are the ideal portable format for shoppers on the move, adding great taste and additional vitamins to their water. In fact, 32% of consumers have said they would be interested in buying cordials and squashes with added vitamins or minerals," said Ben Parker, at home commercial director at Britvic.
"Our existing range of Minis is currently the biggest Pocket Squash brand within the category, generating £6m in RSV, and selling over 3.2 million units in the last year alone. The success of the Minis range reflects consumer demand for convenient formats of squash, as on-the-go occasions continue to make a comeback."
Image source: Britvic
Plant Pops chickpea puffs and popped lotus seeds have undergone a rebrand.
The new branding covers all of its plant-based, gluten-free, high-fibre products, which are also a source of protein.
The lotus seeds are available in 70g sharing bags in addition to 20g impulse bags. Sharing bag flavours include Himalayan Salt, Smoked Chilli, Peanut Butter, Spicy Tomato, and Tandoori Masala.
Chickpea Puffs are available in 80g sharing bags in three flavours: Salt & Pepper, Spicy Tomato, and Peri Peri.
Image source: Plant Pops
French manufacturer of 'diet products' and food supplements, Solina-owned Laboratoire PYC, has extended its vegan line.
In the protein snacks category, the company has developed three new plant-based protein offerings: veggie popped crisis, and two vegan filled wafers. The wafers are made with brown rice protein and yellow pea protein and are available in two flavours: coffee delight and chocolate.
The veggie popped crisps are savoury popped snacks made from soy, pea and bean. Each packet provides 13g of protein. They are high in fibre and low in sugar.
At the same time, Laboratoire PYC is rolling out a new line of protein mixes in powder form. The four flavours include: a chocolate and peanut flavoured drink, strawberry and banana flavoured drink, praline hazelnut cream with hazelnut pieces, and leek and potato flavoured soup.
