In this week's innovation round-up, FoodNavigator profiles a raw chocolate that boasts 'minimally processed' cocoa to preserve nutrients alongside smoothies and granola that aim to give you a 'happy gut'.
In this week's innovation round-up, FoodNavigator profiles a raw chocolate that boasts 'minimally processed' cocoa to preserve nutrients alongside smoothies and granola that aim to give you a 'happy gut'.
Image: ©GettyImages-ViDiStudio
Nestlé said it is continuing to provide 'more nutritious' choices for children with the launch of Nesquik All Natural Porridge.
The porridge is made with '100% natural ingredients' and is a source of fibre with at least 70% oats, a mix of oat flakes and oat bran. It also contains wheat and cocoa, with no artificial flavors, the company said.
Nestlé stressed that children in Europe are not eating the recommended intake of dietary fibre.
The range includes a classic version with cocoa, as well as cocoa & banana and cocoa & apple varieties with the inclusion of real fruit pieces.
The porridge has less than 5g total sugars per serving and meets WHO EU nutrition criteria. Consumed with milk, a serving contains an additional 6g of sugars from the lactose naturally present in milk.
First launched in Germany in July, the porridge will be available in further European markets including Portugal and Poland.
Raw Halo believes 'chocolate should make you feel good' and the company is rolling out new vegan, raw, organic chocolate bars from ethically sourced, plant-based ingredients.
The range is also sweetened with coconut sugar and sustainably wrapped, the company said.
Raw Halo said it is launching a 'vibrant new look' in recyclable, plastic-free packaging, along with new flavours and formats.
The UK brand has secured listings in Waitrose, Ocado and Holland & Barrett.
Raw Halo chocolate is now available in seven Dark and three Mylk varieties in three sizes: a 22g, a 35g single-serve snack bar and a 70g bar for sharing.
Unlike conventional chocolate, Raw Halo’s cacao beans aren’t roasted. Instead, through 'careful temperature control', the raw cacao is minimally processed to retain the nutrients and flavour of the original cacao beans.
Newest in the range are: 85% Dark Chocolate; Dark & Raspberry, and Dark & Himalayan Pink Salt
Meg Haggar, Raw Halo co-founder, commented: “At Raw Halo, we believe in everyday luxuries that benefit mind, body and spirit. That’s why our chocolate is designed to be better in every sense, for you and the planet. We’ve created a luxury chocolate bar that’s healthier, more natural and better quality, making better-made and better-for-you the new benchmark for premium chocolate.”
German chocolate maker Ludwig Schokolade unveiled its winter range under the Edle Tropen brand.
The company is rolling out four limited edition winter specialties, including mild hazelnut liqueur, fruity apricot brandy, exquisite Williams-Christ-Pear brandy and spicy-sweet vodka fig. The premium confections are covered in dark, milk and white chocolate.
Ludwig Schokolade is also launching a Christmas SKU in the shape of Santa Claus. The Christmas collection includes 'classic' fruit liqueurs and pralines.
French dairy giant Danone is launching a line of live cultured smoothies under its Activia brand in the UK.
The company said each variant contains 'billions' of live cultures as well as providing a source of protein, calcium and fibre. The range is free from added sugar.
The line includes two varieties. Orange fruit and veg is a blend of Activia yogurt with mango, peach, carrot, date and linseed. Red fruit and veg contains Activia yogurt, strawberry, blueberry, beetroot, pomegranate, persimmon and chia seeds.
“With 30 years of experience, and our passion for happy guts, we’re really excited to launch our new Live Culture Smoothies, which contain all the goodness of our Activia yogurt along with a delicious portion of fruit and veg,” said Ben Kind, Activia brand manager. “Younger consumers in particular want both nutrition and convenience – rather than having to choose between one or the other. Our Live Culture Smoothies will launch in a convenient bottle format, ensuring that this delicious and nutritious product can be enjoyed on the go.”
UK cereal brand Lizi's is launching a granola that claims to support good bacteria, Lizi's Digestive Health Granola.
The brand, which is owned by South Africa's Pioneer Foods, said the new SKU 'supports good bacteria and helps maintain healthy digestion'. It contains added cultures, the company revealed. "It has all the flavour you’ve come to expect from Lizi’s, plus it’s high in fibre and enriched with added cultures."
The new SKU contains toasted oats, almonds, walnuts, coconut, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and pecans combined with stomach-friendly bacteria (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30 6086). It is also vegan-friendly, using treacle instead of honey.
