A new flavour has been added to Mars Chocolate, Drinks and Treats’ (MCD&T) range of milk drinks: M&M’s Brownie. Elsewhere in the beverage sector, Carlsberg Group is trialling its fibre bottle at scale, and UK start-up Jamu Wild Water has developed a ‘gentle’ fizz beverage for children. Plant-based meat makers have also been busy, with Heura collaborating with Leon and The No Meat Company revamping its packaging. Scroll through the photo gallery for more…
GettyImages/kerlis
A new flavour has been added to Mars Chocolate, Drinks and Treats’ (MCD&T) range of milk drinks: M&M’s Brownie. Elsewhere in the beverage sector, Carlsberg Group is trialling its fibre bottle at scale, and UK start-up Jamu Wild Water has developed a ‘gentle’ fizz beverage for children. Plant-based meat makers have also been busy, with Heura collaborating with Leon and The No Meat Company revamping its packaging. Scroll through the photo gallery for more…
GettyImages/kerlis
Mars Chocolate, Drinks and Treats (MCD&T) has developed a new M&M’s Brownie Milk product for consumers in the UK.
The 350ml on-the-go bottle is suitable for vegetarians and contains no added sugar. M&M’s Brownie Milk joins MCD&T’s milk drinks range comprising of Mars, Mars Caramel, Maltesers, MilkyWay, Twix, Snickers, Bounty and Galaxy.
“We believe that the strength of the M&M’s brand, which is being supported by a £4m media investment this year, combined with bright impulse bottles will attract new customers,” said Michelle Frost, general manager at MCD&T.
“While existing milk drink shoppers seek new products to try, which in turn adds incremental spend to the category.”
Frost continued: “Sales of our range of chocolate milk drinks are outperforming this important sub-category with 20% growth and we are confident that the launch of M&M’s Brownie Milk will see our sales continue to increase.”
Image credit: MCD&T
The No Meat Company, a frozen brand acquired from Iceland last year by the Livekindly Collective, has released two new products amidst a rebrand.
A pea and wheat protein-based frozen sausage and a pea protein-based hot & spicy no chick strips line are rolling out in Iceland and The Food Warehouse stores across the country.
“To us, making healthier choices should be simple, especially when swapping out meat for a plant-based alternative,” said The No Meat Company’s UK general manager Domenico Speciale.
The rebrand is designed to be ‘contemporary’ and ‘distinctive’.
“We’re all about fuss-free food, offering staple products that can easily be incorporated into your favourite meals without reaching for a recipe book for inspiration,” Speciale continued. “The new look and feel of No Meat represents exactly that.”
Image credit: The No Meat Company
Barcelona-based plant-based meat start-up Heura has partnered with UK fast food chain Leon to deliver the new Vegan Harissa Chick’n Wrap.
The offering is designed to celebrate the brands’ shared Mediterranean heritage. Heura’s vegan chicken product, which is made with extra virgin olive oil, is teamed with Leon’s Harrisa sauce and ‘vibrant’ veggies.
“Our partnership with LEON, the UK’s most iconic naturally fast-food brand, is designed to provide people with the delicious and convenient options they need but in a way that’s better for the planet, people and animals,” said CEO and co-founder of Heura, Marc Coloma.
“LEON’s progressive customer base and care for its impact on the planet make this the perfect value-match, and fuels our growing presence in the UK market and our mission to change the global food system.”
From Leon’s perspective, Heura aligns with the company’s values.
“This Grilled Wrap, which takes inspiration from its flavours from the Middle East, is a wonderful addition to our range of plant-forward food,” said Glenn Edwards, Managing Director of Leon Restaurants.
“Heura is on a global mission to bring delicious plant-based options to the mainstream. This partnership is a major step in the right direction to achieving this goal."
The Vegan Harissa Chick’n Wrap is available in 74 Leon stores across the UK with an RRP of £5.89.
Image credit: Leon/Heura
Beer major Carlsberg Group is instigating a large-scale trial for its new Fibre Bottle across Western Europe.
A total of 8,000 bio-based and fully recyclable beer bottles will be sampled in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the UK, Poland, Germany, and France. The aim is to ensure the product can be produced and recycled at scale, all the while providing high-quality performance.
“We are delighted to bring our new Fibre Bottle into the ands of consumers, allowing them to experience it for themselves,” said Stephane Munch, VP Group Development at Carlsberg.
“Identifying and producing PEF as a competent functional barrier for beer has been one of our greatest challenges – so getting good test results, collaborating with suppliers and seeing the bottles being filled on the line is a great achievement!”
The beverage giant is also bottling a more sustainable brew for its consumer trails. In collaboration with barley malt supplier Soufflet, it has brewed a beer that has been cultivated using fully organic and regenerative agricultural practices.
Image credit: Carslberg Group
Jamu Wild Water, a UK start-up targeting the children’s drinks category, has developed a line of three naturally flavoured sparkling botanical waters: Sparkling Raspberry, Elderflower & Mallow; Sparkling Blood Orange & Echinacea; and Sparkling Lemon, Dandelion & Nettle.
The offerings provide a gentle fizz and flavour as well as plant fibre to help maintain gut health. Added vitamins are included to support immune health.
Each product contains 38% of the RDA for Vitamin C and Zinc, and 25% of the RDA for fibre, based on UK Government Guidelines for children aged 5-11 years.
The range is also sugar-free. “The effects of sugar on our children’s health and cognitive function are well documented, yet it’s hard to find a kid’s drink that isn’t full of the stuff…or topped up with artificial sweeteners,” noted the start-up. “We think it’s time to change all that.”
Image credit: Jamu Wild Water
British cake brand Mr Kipling is heading stateside to introduce a new snacking occasion to Americans.
The brand’s range of cake slices are available in portable, individual pods, and come in flavours Lemon, Chocolate, Vanilla and Salted Caramel.
“Mr Kipling is the perfect fit for the US market, filling the gap between consumers’ desire for high-quality sweet treats and the need for convenient, easy snacking formats,” said Diana Horwitz, US country manager for brand owner Premier Foods.
“Our research revealed consumers are wowed by the quality of our cakes and how fresh they taste, pus they loved their look – the European patisserie aesthetic. These beautiful cakes are perfect for a coffee break at home or easy to slip into a backpack for snacking on the go.”
Image credit: Premier Foods
