Coronavirus or no coronavirus, food innovation in Europe appears to be continuing apace. In this edition of FoodNavigator’s new product development round-up, we look at Nestlé’s new MilkyBar Cookies & Cream sharing block, and exciting ‘mess free’ innovation from Old El Paso, and meat-free burgers from Richmond.
Image source: GettyImages/Fascinadora
Coronavirus or no coronavirus, food innovation in Europe appears to be continuing apace. In this edition of FoodNavigator’s new product development round-up, we look at Nestlé’s new MilkyBar Cookies & Cream sharing block, and exciting ‘mess free’ innovation from Old El Paso, and meat-free burgers from Richmond.
Image source: GettyImages/Fascinadora
Nestlé is expanding its Milkybar range with a new MilkyBar Cookies & Cream sharing block.
To be sold in the UK and Ireland, Milkybar has described the SKU as featuring ‘creamy tasting, smooth white chocolate studded with delicious, crunchy cookie pieces’.
Milkybar is free from artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives, and contains 10% less sugar than the original recipe.
The new SKU is manufactured at Nestlé’s factory in York, where the food giant also makes KitKat, Aero, Yorkie, and Polo.
“Cookies and cream is a classic combination for a reason, and we believe our delicious white chocolate makes it unbeatable!,” said Milkybar Assistant Brand Manager Molly Slater-Davison.
“We are always looking for new ways to innovate and delight fans, and we hope they love this new sharing block as much as we do!”
The 90g sharing bar has an RRP of £1, and will go on sale ‘over the next few weeks’ in wholesalers and the convenience channel.
Image source: Nestlé
Kerry Foods-owned Richmond launching new meat-free burgers today (21 September).
The move represents a ‘significant development’ for the brand – best known for its sausages – and marks a further expansion into the meat-free category.
Indeed, this latest launch comes three months after Richmond rolled out its frozen meat-free sausages. Today, the company says the range has become the number one best seller in the frozen meat-free market.
The launch of meat-free burgers allows Richmond to continue to tap into more family mealtime occasions, it said, with 63% of consumers looking for ‘healthier proteins’. The new SKU aligns with changing consumer habits, it continued, and enables retailers to offer ‘healthier choices that don’t compromise on taste’.
“We’ve worked hard over the past year on innovating our product portfolio so it reflects what families really want at mealtimes and we’ve already had some really positive responses from consumers around extending our meat-free range,” said Victoria Southern, Category & Marketing Director at Kerry Foods.
“Eighty-eight per cent of them agree this new product is suitable for both adults and children, as great tasting, fuss free meals are key – especially when dealing with different dietary preferences.”
Image source: Kerry Foods
General Mills-owned Old El Paso says it is launching its ‘biggest innovation in decades’: tortilla pockets.
The soft wraps are sealed at the bottom to offer a ‘first-to-market’ and ‘mess-free’ solution to consumers.
The company said the tortilla packets are set to bring 69% incremental growth to the overall category, and is forecasted to ‘open up the lunch occasion’ by 61% in the UK.
“With more and more shoppers entering the World Foods aisle, it’s an exciting time for the category – and a very exciting time for Old El Paso!,” said Old El Paso Marketing Manager Maeve Judge.
“Tortilla Pockets have been three years in the making, so we’re thrilled to finally bring them to market. Given the levels of excitement that we saw while working through consumer research to develop the perfect product and packaging, we are confident it’s truly anchored in solving a consumer need.”
Image source: Old El Paso
Supermarket retailer Aldi is launching a range of 100% British Wagyu steaks across the UK.
Wagyu beef hails from Japan. It is characterised by its rich flavour and tender texture, provided by fat marbling in the meat.
Although regarded one of the most expensive cuts in the world, Aldi says its steaks start at £26.49 per kg, “a fraction of the cost of M&S British Wagyu Beef, which retails for upwards of £40 per kg”.
Four cuts will be available from 24 September: a sirloin steak (£28.49/kg), a rump steak (£26.49), a ribeye steak (£30.75/kg), and a fillet steak (£44/kg).
All of Aldi’s Wagyu beef is sourced from the largest producer of British Wagyu beef, Warrendale Farms, where the cows are reared for a minimum of 24 months. This, Aldi says, gives the beef its ‘distinctive marbling’ and ‘amazing taste’.
Image source: Aldi
UK snacking company pladis is preparing for Christmas, having revealed the 2020 savoury ranges for two of its brands: Jacob’s and Carr’s.
Carr’s Christmas lie includes Christmas Caddies, as well as crackers selection boxes. Jacob’s is rolling out its own range of Caddies, from Mini Cheddars to Twiglets, as well as Cracker Crisps Sour Cream & Chives, and Cheeselets – temporarily renamed Treeselets for the festive season.
“Nothing says Christmas quite like a box of crackers and a cheese board, and this year we’re back with several selection boxes from Jacob’s to satisfy key seasonal trends such as indulgence and togetherness,” said pladis UK&I’s head of commercial & season brands, Jonathan Bull.
“Furthermore, we’re bringing back our selection of Jacob’s Caddies for another year – these are ideal for gatherings, relaxed evenings or as a pre-dinner nibble.”
Image source: pladis
Nestlé Cereals is bringing a new breakfast cereal product to children in the UK – one that comes in the shape of a bear.
NAT Bears come individually wrapped in 32g portions. When placed in a bowl and mixed with milk, the bears crumble into a breakfast cereal. Two SKUs are available as of today (16 September): Honey and Chocolate.
Nestlé has stressed the breakfast cereal is made with ingredients from ‘natural origins’, and do not contain artificial colours of flavours. The cereal product is high in fibre, with more than 50% whole grain per serving.
“We know that parents are looking for a cereal that is both tasty and high in fibre for their kids at breakfast time, and we’re confident that our new NAT Bears fit the bill,” said Gharry Eccles, Vice President UK & Australia, Nestlé Cereals.
“NAT Bears come as pre-portioned, individually wrapped bears – you just add one bear to a bowl of milk, and it makes a bowl of tasty cereal.”
A pack of six NAT Bears have an RRP of £2.89 and are currently sold in Sainsbury’s. From November, the cereal will also be available in Tesco.
Image source: Nestlé
