As we move into the second week of Veganuary, we look at Asda’s two new vegan brands: OMV! and Plant Based. Elsewhere in the meat-free space, Kraft Heinz is continuing to expand its bean-based offerings with the launch of frozen Heinz Magical Beanz Nuggetz. While in Italy, UK start-up WNWN is partnership with DLISH to bring cocoa-free gianduja to its customers. Scroll through the photo gallery for more…
GettyImages/essenin
As we move into the second week of Veganuary, we look at Asda’s two new vegan brands: OMV! and Plant Based. Elsewhere in the meat-free space, Kraft Heinz is continuing to expand its bean-based offerings with the launch of frozen Heinz Magical Beanz Nuggetz. While in Italy, UK start-up WNWN is partnership with DLISH to bring cocoa-free gianduja to its customers. Scroll through the photo gallery for more…
GettyImages/essenin
The Kraft Heinz Company is expanding its beans-based offerings with the launch of frozen Heinz Magical Beanz Nuggetz.
The new product is designed to offer families a ‘fast and convenient’ alternative, all the while addressing the needs of parents that want their children to eat more vegetables.
Heinz Magical Beanz Nuggetz is available in three flavours: Original Nuggetz made with beans, tomatoes and sweetcorn, Cheesy Nuggetz made with beans, cauliflower and cheddar cheese, and Curried Nuggetz made with beans, parsnip, carrot, coconut and mild spices.
The innovation is the next part in Kraft Heinz’s ‘Beanz Liberation’ plan, which Sophie Higgins, Head of Growth Platform at Kraft Heinz New Ventures explained has seen the company take the nutrition and versatility of all kinds of beans and develop a range of convenient bean-based products for the frozen category, amongst others.
“With our new Beanz Nuggetz we are going one step further in our plant-based offerings – following the launch of our Heinz Beanz Burgerz, Heinz Beanz Bowls, Heinz Beanz Hash Browns & Heinz Beanz Pizza in 2022 – with a range of bean-based nuggets that are perfect for family mealtimes.”
Higgins continued: “Packed with beans and vegetables, our Nuggetz come with the added benefit of containing no added sugar, artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.”
Heinz Magic Beanz Nuggetz are available from Asda and Ocado with an RRP of £2.75. The products will be rolled out into other supermarkets later this year.
Image source: The Kraft Heinz Company
UK start-up WNWN (pronounced ‘win-win’) Food Labs, which makes cocoa-free chocolate, is offering its version of a chocolate and hazelnut gianduja in partnership with Milan-based luxury gift service DLISH.
Gianduja is a Northern Italian confection considered a progenitor of Nutella. DLISH’s limited-production offers include either Cognac produced by Bourgoin Cognac ($180) or Nc’nean Organic Whisky ($195).
To develop its cocoa-free chocolate, WNWN applies traditional fermentation techniques to plant-based ingredients such as barley and carob.
“Chocolate feels even more extravagant when paired with hazelnuts, so combining our cocoa-free chocolate with Italian hazelnuts makes perfect sense,” said WNWN CEO Ahrum Pak. “We were thrilled to work with DLISH because of its focus on not only design and luxury, but also its interest in sustainable and artisanal products.”
Image source: WNWN
As consumers take a break from animal-based products this Veganuary, Asda is launching two new vegan ranges made up more than 112 products.
The OMV! range contains ‘decadent’ treats ‘sure to tantalise your tastebuds’, noted Asda, whilst the Plant Based range offers ‘nutritionally balanced’ meat-free meals that ‘don’t compromise on flavour’.
Products within the OMV! range include Hot & Spicy No Chicken Burgers (£2.25) made with pea and wheat protein, and Brioche Burger Buns (£1.15).
Examples within the Plant-Based range include bacon style rashers (£2) made from wheat protein and Chick’n Caesar Wrap (£2.75) containing soya protein pieces, vegan Caesar style mayonnaise, and alternative to Italian style hard cheese, and salad.
The full range will be available to buy in-store throughout the year.
Image source: Asda
Italian-Dutch confectionery and gum manufacturer Perfetti van Melle is adding functional ingredients to its Mentos Gum and Smint brands.
Mentos Citrus Vitamin Gum contain 25% of recommended daily vitamins B6, C and B12. Smith Defensive contains vitamin C, B6 and zinc.
“Health is significantly higher on the agenda for many of us heading into the winter months and because of this we’ve seen a phenomenal rise in demand for products that deliver added benefits,” said Sarah Elmer, brand manager at Mentos Gum. “The new Mentos Citrus Vitamin Gum offers consumers a hit of delicious freshness which excites the mouth and awakens the mind – all whilst contributing to their wellbeing.”
Smith brand manager Caroline Grimshaw added: “With the majority of the medicated market now sugar-based and subject to HFSS restrictions, new Smint Defensive provides the ideal, and appealing, sugar-free alternative that not only tastes great but is packed full of added benefits.
“The widely recyclable packaging targets the environmentally conscious consumer, too – helping everyone to bring out their best self.”
Image source: Perfetti van Melle
Dairy free brand Cocos Organic is a launching a series of new products including Organic Coconut Milk Yog Tubes and Light Organic Natural Yoghurt.
Cocos Organic Milk Yog Tubes are free from dairy, gluten, nuts and refined sugar, and designed for kids over six months of age. The product is made from organic coconut milk, strawberry puree and banana flavourings. The yoghurt is fortified with live bacteria, including Bifidobacterium BB-12, which is fermented overnight to create a ‘tangy’, live coconut yoghurt alternative containing ‘billions of live bacteria’.
Cocos Organic’s natural light yoghurt alterative is made with 98% organic coconut milk and is similarly fortified with live bacteria strains associated with benefits across multiple health concerns including digestive issues, respiratory conditions, oral healthy, immunity, and mental health. The new variation of Cocos Organic’s classic natural coconut yoghurt alternative contains less than 10% fat and is 115 kcal per 100g.
Cocos Organic Milk Yog Tubes are available at Waitrose, Ocado and Abel & Cole with an RRP of £3 (5 x 40g tubes). Cocos Organic Light Natural Alternative is available at Waitrose, Ocado and Abel & Cole with an RRP of £4.99 for 400g.
Image source: Cocos Organic
