In the latest edition of FoodNavigator’s new product development tracker, we cover ‘light and crispy’ cauliflower bites hitting UK shelves, a new fruity curry launching in Germany, and the roll-out of vegan frozen meals from chefs Joe Coulter and Ben MacAndrews.
Pic: GettyImages/ra2studio
In the latest edition of FoodNavigator’s new product development tracker, we cover ‘light and crispy’ cauliflower bites hitting UK shelves, a new fruity curry launching in Germany, and the roll-out of vegan frozen meals from chefs Joe Coulter and Ben MacAndrews.
Pic: GettyImages/ra2studio
Mash Direct is brining a new Cauliflower Bites product to supermarket shelves in the UK.
According to the company, the new SKU is tapping into ‘burgeoning demand’ for innovative cauliflower products. It also feeds into growing consumer trends for convenient, healthy, and vegetarians sides.
The Cauliflower Bites can be cooked in less than 20 minutes in the oven. They are low in saturated fat, gluten-free, and are free from artificial flavourings and colourings.
They have a ‘light and crispy’ coating that provide a ‘crunchy texture’. A 150g serving contains 233 calories.
“We have seen a huge surge in demand for cauliflower in the UK in recent years, as it is a really delicious and versatile vegetable,” said Mash Direct COO Jack Hamilton.
“The Cauliflower Bites align with a number of eating occasions as they can be served as a canapé and are also delicious as the main component of a meal. The Cauliflower Bites will continue to fulfill our mission to bring innovative, healthy and high-quality products to consumers and our retail partners.”
The product is available at Nisa for an RRP of £2.00. A number of independent stores throughout the UK are also stocking the 300g packs.
Image: Mash Direct
A new vegan frozen meal delivery start-up has launched across the UK.
Pep Kitchen is the brainchild of chef founders Joe Coulter and Ben MacAndrews. Their first range comprises seven meals – each priced at £5.75 each and delivered across the UK via a carbon neutral delivery service.
The line includes Mexican Chipotle Bean Stew, Jackfruit Massaman Curry, and Spicy Szechuan Mapo Tofu.
“It’s all about bringing some fun and energy to everyday eating. We’ve used our combined experience in the kitchen to create meals that are not only super convenient and better for the environment but packed full of flavour,” said Coulter.
Co-founder MacAndrews added: “Creating highly nutritious food is vitally important to us. We are determined to make it easy for people to make positive changes to their diet, both for themselves and for the environment.”
Image: Pep Kitchen
Two new low calorie and low sugar sparkling ice tea products are rolling out across Europe.
Made by drinks brand Little Miracles, the new SKUs are made from organic and fair-trade ingredients .
The Sparkling Orange Lemongrass Ice Tea is blended with ginger and agave, and provides a ‘zesty aromatic’ flavour of orange.
The Sparkling Pomegranate Ice Tea is made with pomegranate, green tea, acai berries and ginseng. It is ‘the perfect pick me up’, according to Little Miracles.
The drinks contain less than 50 calories each with zero additives, and are served in plastic-free packaging.
“This is a truly exciting launch for us as we move to halve our plastic production by the end of the year,” said Little Miracles’ founder Frederik Senger.
“Little Miracles was one of the first brands in Europe to repackage its drinks range with new, sustainable options. We decided to launch our organic Juice Shots in glass bottles, package our 1L ice tea in plant-based Tetra Paks, and now we’ve taken our original ice tea, put it in a 100% recyclable aluminium can and made it sparkling.”
A selection of plant-based food and beverage brands have teamed together to vegan delivery boxes for UK households.
The Squeaky Bean Plant Based Box can be ordered directly from the Foodchain app, the idea being that consumers can minimise trips to the supermarket during lockdown. Further, the service is a faster option than most online supermarkets, says Foodchain’s Anastasia Emmanuel.
“Offering a wide range of products, delivered often next day, is a faster option than most online supermarkets right now, and the quality – buying direct from suppliers – is arguably superior. We see this as a necessary solution, not only for those who are self-isolating or shielding, but also creates an option for more people to stay home, avoiding the spread of the virus.”
Brands involved include Squeaky Bean, Vivera, Mummy Meagz, Minor Figures, and Vadasz.
Barry Brazier, Senior Commercial Manager at Winterbotham Darby, which owns the Squeaky Bean and Vadasz brands and partners with Vivera in the UK, commented: “Our total meat free value sales since lockdown started have exceeded pre-COVID levels by 40%, and by over 90% in some SKUs.
“However, the majority of these sales have been directly from supermarkets, and we have also received comments from consumers who were struggling to secure online deliveries, or couldn’t get to the shops in person due to health concerns or other reasons.
“Therefore, we wanted to offer additional solutions to deliver our products directly to consumers who were desperate to purchase the vegan alternatives they usually enjoy but were struggling to buy during lockdown. Foodchain offers us the perfect solution to be able to do so.”
The Squeaky Bean Plant Based Box retails at £38.99 including delivery and is available for households based in and around London.
Image: GettyImages/Olga Aleksandrova
French pharmaceutical major Sanofi is entering the digestive wellbeing space with the launch of a new food supplement.
Buscobiota is designed to support digestive health. The one-a-day capsule contains five strains of live cultures, alongside calcium. Specifically, Buscobiota comprises of three types of Lactobacillus and two types of Bifodobacterium.
“The product can be taken as part of a holistic approach to gut health, particularly for anyone looking for ongoing daily support,” noted the firm.
Sanofi Consumer Health Care’s Marketing Director of UK and Ireland, Silvina Vilas, noted: “Through the addition of Buscobiota to our gastrointestinal portfolio, we aim to provide consumers with a broader range of products that support digestive health. By offering shoppers more choice and empowering people to take control of their own wellbeing, we will continue to support our purpose to serve healthier and fuller lives.”
Image: Sanofi
Miree is bringing a ‘Fruity Curry’ to consumers in Germany this month.
The company describes the new SKU has having a ‘gentle sharpness, balanced spiciness’ and notes of ‘fruity, slightly sweet mango’.
The product feeds into the current trend for curries and oriental foodstuffs in Germany, and Miree says the ready-meal will meet demand for ‘enjoyment away from traditional cuisine’.
A new Turmeric Chai tea is hitting Waitrose this month in time for International Tea Day on 21 May.
Launched by Tea India, the Turmeric Chai offering comes as ‘feelings of uncertainty and anxiety continue’.
“Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has strong antioxidant properties essential for cell function with studies showing that diets rich in antioxidants may help lower risk of infections and disease,” noted the firm.
“Turmeric is also famous for its immune-boosting properties and has long been used in Indian recipes and as part of Ayurvedic medicine.”
The turmeric blend is comprised of turmeric, ginger, fenugreek, assam black tea, galangal, cinnamon, and Indian psyllium. A pack of 40 sachets retails for £2.50.
