A Taste of Wellness for Savoury and Snacks
Givaudan
The food exhibition SIAL in Paris last week was a clear opportunity to witness current, and future, trends and innovations in the global food and drink industry. It came as no surprise to see that the number of companies moving into the health arena continues to increase. New products with a health twist are launched on a seemingly daily basis.
The darling of the health frenzy has to be soya. Much research currently underway, and already undertaken, by leading ingredients companies points to the potential health benefits of this ancient plant.
One clear trend that appears to be gaining pace is the use of soya as a meat substitute. Long used as a vegetarian alternative and relegated to the chilled vegetarian area, companies today are pushing soya meat substitute products into the meat cabinets. Presumably with the aim of beating the big guys at their own game.
This trend was more than evident in a variety of products launched onto the market this month. US company Tasty Eats has launched a soy equivalent to the old time favourite beef jerky. Soy Jerky is available in original, teriyaki, honey ginger, hot n' spicy and peppered flavours and the company reports that the product contains no MS or preservatives and is low in fat and cholesterol.
New under the Familjen Dafgard brand from Swedish company Familjen Dafgard are Veggiebiffar, four ready-made vegetable burgers made with carrots, maize and broccoli. They are packaged in a 240g paperboard box and are priced at €3.31.
As a change from the traditional meat pasty, Finnish company Vaasan & Vaasan launched a vegetable and cheese pastry under the brand name Vaasan Kotiuunin. On sale at €2.65 the company claims that the Danish-style pastries are lactose-free and contain only 13 per cent fat.
Woolworths in South Africa has launched a version of the now omnipresent vegetable burgers. At €1.35, the company is selling six vegetable burger patties, containing wheatflour, gluten and soya, coated in a crisp crumb, and packaged in a 375g paperboard box. In addition, the burgers contain potato, cauliflower, corn, broccoli, peas, carrots, onions, red peppers, thickeners and emulsifiers.
US company Turtle Island Foods has brought out a meat substitute version of turkey slices. 'Tofurky Deli Slices' are made from thinly sliced meat substitutes made with tofu and are available in three flavoured varieties, original, hickory smoked and peppered. 100 per cent vegetarian, the company claims they give an 'incredible' meat-like texture. In addition, the company has brought out 'Tofurky Jurky', a 100 per cent vegan, GMO-free, low fat tofu jerky available in three flavoured varieties, ginger teriyaki, original, and peppered.
French company Distriborg has launched a simple unadulterated, version of tofu under the brand name Bjorg. Bjorg has reformulated its Tofu Nature, an organic meat substitute and claims that it is richer in vegetable protein, cholesterol-free, rich in polyunsaturated fat, a high source of fibre and suitable for vegetarians.
Finally, we move onto the favourite of the French - paté. Dutch company Planet Green has come up with a vegetarian alternative under the Vegetarische Smeerworst brand. Packaged in a 125g sausage-shape plastic wrapper with two metal stoppers on the sides, the product retails at €0.99.
All products mentioned in the above article were sourced from Mintel's Global New Products Database which looks at new product development, and features records of food and drink and non food product launches. For more information, visit www.gnpd.com or call +44 20 7606 45533