Colruyt Group's Bio-Planet supermarket banner launched the first herbs grown in its own vertical farm facility - with further produce in the pipeline. Meanwhile, PepsiCo outlined one possible response to the plastic packaging problem when it introduced a swathe of SodaStream concentrates that deliver the flavour of its big brands at home. Here is this week's round-up of new product launches from across Europe.
Pic: GettyImages-eternalcreative
Colruyt Group's Bio-Planet supermarket banner launched the first herbs grown in its own vertical farm facility - with further produce in the pipeline. Meanwhile, PepsiCo outlined one possible response to the plastic packaging problem when it introduced a swathe of SodaStream concentrates that deliver the flavour of its big brands at home. Here is this week's round-up of new product launches from across Europe.
Pic: GettyImages-eternalcreative
Belgian supermarket Bio-Planet, owned by Colruyt Group, is launching herbs grown on its own vertical farm.
The first produce to hit the shelves will be fresh basil sold under the company's own label brand, Boni Selection. It will be available at the chains 31 Bio-Planet stores and via the Collect & Go service for €1.89 each.
The production method is pesticide free, requires 90% less water and 20 times less cultivated land than traditional methods, the company said.
“We are already using 90% less water and 50% less nutrients than traditional growing methods. An added benefit is that we only use purified rainwater, which we collect on the roof of our distribution centre," said Fabrice Gobbato, Managing Director of Bio-Planet.
The low-cost LED lighting, developed in-house, together with the 'innovative ventilation system' make the farm 'very energy-efficient'. The vertical farm installation runs on 100% green electricity generated by wind turbines and solar panels.
The high-tech installation has space for 250,000 plants. This is more than enough to meet Bio-Planet’s demand, according to the company. Coriander will be added later this year.
"Although these fresh herbs are not labelled as organic, they definitely still deserve a place in our range," explained Gobbato. "They are grown from bioseed and we intentionally decided to use a particularly sustainable and compostable substrate made from organic waste streams, even though this is not yet organic."
PepsiCo-owned SodaStream, the home sparkling water business, is introducing concentrates of the company’s big name brands – including Pepsi, Pepsi Max, 7up and 7up Free – to the French market.
This will allow French consumers to make the ‘singular taste’ of PepsiCo sodas at home using a SodaStream machine.
The company said that the innovation is ‘eco-friendly’ and aims to combat plastic waste by reducing the need for cans and bottles.
The products will be available from this month via online and supermarket channels. PepsiCo said the concentrates have an RRP of €5.99 and reusable bottles retail at €9.99.
UK-based business Nush has developed what it claims is the country's first 'almond m*lk spreadable che*se', which will rollout nationwide with Marks & Spencer.
The dairy-free spread is available in two flavours: natural and chive. Nush said the spreadable che*se can be used as a replacement for similar dairy-based products and added it is suitable as an ingredient in recipes.
The new SKUs join Nush’s range of fruit-flavoured almond yoghurt alternatives, which are also available in Marks & Spencer stores.
Bethany Eaton, Co-Founder of Nush, said: “We are delighted to be listed in over 200 Marks & Spencer stores nationwide with our range of dairy-free cheese spreads, reaching the growing market of people across the UK who are wanting a healthy alternative to dairy cheese."
Flavoured milk brand Yazoo, owned by FrieslandCampina, is launching a new limited edition variety - Choco-Hazelicious.
The flavour will be available in four different formats: 400ml and one litre bottles in standard and price marked options.
Yazoo’s one litre milk drinks are currently growing ahead of the market at +31% year-on-year, the company noted.
Wayne Thompson, Business Unit Controller at Yazoo, said: “We know limited edition products perform very well and we want to ensure that Choco-Hazelicious is so popular, people are coming in to store actively seeking it out.
“We undertook extensive consumer research to help us reach a conclusion on the right flavour for this limited edition launch. As 48% of flavoured milk sales are chocolate based, we knew this should inform our choice. We surveyed 2,500 people, garnering their opinions on 32 different flavour options, and chocolate hazelnut came out as one of the top three. We’re really confident it delivers on taste and will bring excitement to the category this Spring.”
Ella’s Kitchen, owned by Hain Celestial, has launched a range of dairy-free baby food pouches in the UK.
The line consists of three varieties: Banana Yoghurt Alternative, Pear & Fig Porridge and Rice Pudding with Bananas & Strawberries.
The pouches are suitable for babies from six months and are rolling out this month to Asda, Amazon, Morrisons, Ocado and Waitrose.
Mark Cuddigan, CEO of Ella’s Kitchen said: “We’re continually looking for new ways to help little ones develop a healthy relationship with food, with dishes that are a yummy journey for all the senses.
“We recognised that there hasn’t been enough variety for little ones who are dairy-free or have dairy intolerance, so wanted to use our weaning expertise to create a range that was both super tasty and which introduces new tastes and textures to tiny taste buds.”
Food for Progress is launching two new plant-based products under its Oumph! Brand: the Oumph! Banger and Oumph! Smokey Bits.
"Our aim is that the Oumph! Banger and Oumph! Smoky Bits will raise the bar for the plant-based category in Sweden,” said Victoria Norviit, Brand and Category Manager at Oumph! and Food for Progress.
"The Oumph! Banger is a unique plant-based sausage for the next generation of products. The Oumph! Banger has been created combining traditional sausage making, craftsmanship and innovation with state of the art techniques."
The Oumph! Banger is made from soya beans and has a ‘smokiness’ that the company said means it works well as a hotdog, or in pasta dishes and stews. The sausage casing is made from algae. It is suitable for frying, cooking in the oven, barbecuing or grilling.
Oumph! Smoky Bits is a wheat-based product which is suitable to fry and serve in plant-based carbonara dishes, pies, omelettes and range of other dishes.
"Oumph! Smoky Bits is a versatile product for anyone who's been looking for a really good plant-based alternative to bacon or ham, and it works in a range of classic dishes, such as pasta, or for other breakfast, lunch, dinner and party food occasions," said Hans Mathiason, Head of Taste and Texture at Oumph! and Food for Progress.
The Oumph! Banger and Smoky Bits are sold frozen and are available in Swedish supermarket chains ICA and City Gross.
Artisanal craft baker Geary’s Bakery has launched a new brand, Jason’s, in the UK.
The brand is spearheaded by 'master baker' Jason Geary, the fourth-generation family member to lead the business.
Jason’s Bread is a heritage bakery and has launched exclusively with Marks & Spencer initially. The line includes a sliced Ciabattin loaf; White Ciabattin; Grains & Seeds Ciabattin; and Craft Beer Ciabattin.
Jason Geary, MD of Geary’s Bakery commented: “My entire life, has been about bread and baking. Even from the age of ten I would get home from school and bake with my grandfather, so I’m proud to be able to put all my experience, all my passion and of course my name to this unique sourdough Ciabattin. I’d like people to be able to experience the wonderful taste of quality ‘proper’ bread with no additives, just wholesome ingredients. It’s great for many occasions, but unbeatable as toast - everyone who tries it says it’s a bit like crumpet bread. I’m just really proud of this product and I hope that people will enjoy it too.”
Jason’s Bread is available now in M&S stores nationwide for an RRP £1.80.
