In this week's gallery of new product launches, we learn about shelf-stable smoothies leveraging aseptic processing technology, Mars' plant-powered NPD, and the 'I Love' campaign to support British pork farmers who are struggling under the pressure of spiralling costs.
Pic: GettyImages Tom Werner
In this week's gallery of new product launches, we learn about shelf-stable smoothies leveraging aseptic processing technology, Mars' plant-powered NPD, and the 'I Love' campaign to support British pork farmers who are struggling under the pressure of spiralling costs.
Pic: GettyImages Tom Werner
Agus is launching a new smoothie line in Europe leveraging aseptic processing technology to create a shelf stable beverage with a 12-month shelf life.
Hello Day! Smoothie consists of natural, non-concentrated purees, fruit juices and coconut milk without the addition of ‘low-cost fillers’, the company said.
Available in three flavours – passion fruit, pineapple and mango – the smoothies are described as a ‘thick, filling, liquid snack’ with no added sugars. It’s bottle is recyclable, the group added.
Because the product is ambient it doesn’t require controlled temperature distribution and logistics, a factor that has a ‘significant impact’ on cost optimization in the supply chain. In store, Agus said it can be displayed in two areas – on shelf or in on-the-go chiller cabinets.
“Our smoothie is available in international market, at different sales channels, from supermarkets, convenient stores, drugstores, petrol stations to q-commerce and online supermarkets, including REWE, Tommy, Spar, Auchan, DM, Rossmann, Bipa, Danube, Mercator, Plodine, Konzum, Circle K, Orlen, Zabka Jush, Frisco, Delio. We are constantly searching new distribution partners to expand our sales network by offering them a branded product of the highest quality and attractive terms of cooperation,” explained Andrzej Mirowski, Communication Director.
The company said it hopes the launch will tap into growing demand for smoothies in Europe, with Global Data forecasting market growth from €11.01 billion in 2022 to €12.53 billion in 2026.
In addition to smoothies, the Hello Day! brand also offers healthy snacks and breakfast products. “Hello Day! was created as response to the needs and changing eating habits that we closely observe. Nowadays, consumers are looking for pro-healthy and simple products that help them maintain a balanced diet and support well-being, both at the product and brand value level. According to our slogan Hello Day! Change Your Life! we want to support consumers in changing the way they eat, live, look at the world and think about ecology. We also encourage them to change their habits and attitudes,” added Mirowski.
Mars Food is launching Ben’s Plant Powered, which will be available in three SKUs: Chilli Non-Carne, Spicy Lentil Stew and Sweet Potato & Chickpea Tikka Masala.
The plant-based versions of some of the UK’s most popular meals will be microwaveable in just 90 seconds. Each recipe is a good source of fibre and protein and is free from artificial colours and flavours, the company said.
Mars Food said that the product launch meets two important trends in the ‘foods of the world’ category: health and plant-based. According to a YouGov poll, 34% of Brits are interested in trying plant-based diets and, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, one-quarter have reduced the amount of animal products they consume.
“We’re seeing a permanent shift in eating habits in the UK with shoppers increasingly looking for ‘health’. While this is a broad definition, plant-based diets are a critical part of this for many and here to stay,” according to Ben’s Original Marketing Manager Gareth Williams.
“For many shoppers this isn’t about eliminating meat completely but eating less of it. However, consumers also don’t always feel they have the time or confidence to make the move to plant-based meals. Ben’s Plant Powered is here to make it easier for them.
“When consumers decide to eat without the meat, they still want their favourite meals rather than to cook something new. Our Ben’s Plant Powered meals have been co-created with consumers to help make it easy to prepare delicious meat-free versions of best-loved recipes. Ben’s Plant Powered pair perfectly with our microwaveable rice ranges because we know that when people eat plant-based, rice dishes over-index as their meal of choice."
Ben’s Plant Powered will be available from June for an RRP of £2.49.
The company is also rolling out two new products under its Ben’s Original rice brand: Korean BBQ and Katsu Curry. Describing the flavours as ‘on trend’ Mars Food said they will bring younger consumers to the category.
“As brand leader, Ben’s Original has a role to play in bringing excitement, innovation and new shoppers to the rice category. That’s why we are also launching our two on-trend flavours of Limited Edition microwaveable rice – Korean BBQ and Katsu Curry,” Williams commented.
The Limited Edition flavoured rice SKUs will be available from June for an RRP of £1.67.
Heinz Ketchup and French burger restaurant chain Blend have joined forces to create the country’s first Red Burger, infused with Heinz Ketchup.
The Heinz Ketchup Red Burger created by Blend presents a ‘succulent slice of matured minced beef’ with ketchup in a brioche bun, also made with ketchup.
The companies believe the menu innovation will tap into France’s love of burgers. Four out of five restaurants in France now offer burgers on their menus and 80% of them say it's a bestseller. In 2019, the French consumed 1.7 billion burgers, according to consultancy Gira Food. “And we can't talk about burgers without mentioning the one and only Heinz Tomato Ketchup, considered by many burger connoisseurs to be an essential ingredient,” the companies said.
Joana Ramos, Senior Brand Manager at Heinz France, added: "We are thrilled to be working with Blend to celebrate these two icons - Heinz ketchup and burgers - because they really are a perfect match… We can't wait to see what people think of this special burger."
The limited edition of the Heinz Tomato Ketchup Red Burger is available in Parisian Blend restaurants and for delivery in the Paris region from Saturday May 28 to June 17, at a price of €14.90.
Italian luxury chocolate manufacturer Venchi is introducing vegan options of four of its bestselling gelato flavours: Nocciola Piemonte IGP (Piedmont Hazelnut), Bronte Pistachio, Lemon & Liquorice and Mixed Berries.
The flavours join the vegan friendly collection, which already includes Strawberry, Mango, Melon, Azteco (82% dark chocolate sorbet), Lemon and Raspberry, and will be available across all of its Chocogelateria shops. The introduction of these flavours will mean that vegans will no longer be limited to ‘fruit’ flavours but to a variety of creams that are typically based on milk.
Besides the vegan new entries, Venchi’s gelato collection 2022 is ‘richer than ever and meets everyone’s taste’, the company claimed. Among the classics, such as the iconic Cremino, Pistachio, Hazelnut and Stracciatella, the company is offering various ‘gourmet’ varieties, including Nougatine, Brutto ma Buono, Cappuccino, Cremino and Venchi Caramel.
Eat Real is rebranding its full range in an attempt to broaden its appeal to ‘a wider audience of health-conscious shoppers’.
The new packs aim to bring Eat Real’s ‘big bold flavours’ to life, highlighting both its culinary ingredients and better-for-you credentials, including vegan and gluten-free
The updated packs will extend across its full Lentil, Quinoa, Hummus and Veggie Chip ranges, starting with hero flavours including Hummus Tomato & Basil, Lentil Chilli & Lemon, Hummus Salted and Quinoa Sour Cream & Chive.
The rebrand coincides with the redevelopment of the Hummus Chips range, in which four of its flavours are now HFSS compliant thanks to a reduction of its salt content by more than 50%.
Eat Real Marketing Director, Helen Pomphrey explained: “Eat Real has become pioneers in better-for-you thanks to its unusual ingredients layered with bold, unexpected flavours inspired by the combinations you find in your own cooking. We’ve found that Eat Real’s flavours are a key driver to consumer purchase, as more people opt for delicious, yet healthy alternatives.
“Using bright bold colours and showcasing our mouth-watering ingredients on-pack, the new look and feel is set to bring excitement to the range, whilst also bringing the bold flavours to life.”
Recipe box group Gousto is bringing a taste of Southern USA to home kitchens, with new recipes it says can be enjoyed by meat-lovers and vegans alike.
The UK group is launching eight new recipes showcasing American BBQ, all paired with beers from independent London brewery, Gipsy Hill.
The partnership with the local South London brewer is an extension of Gousto’s passion for supporting independent businesses, following its Cookstarter initiative last year which supported some of the UK’s independent restaurants during the pandemic.
The partnership with Gipsy Hill sees beers paired to each of the four states, along with a bespoke BBQ beer.
Kathryn Huxtable, VP of Food Proposition at Gousto said: “The Southern Smokehouse range is designed to take our adventurous home cooks on a journey full of flavour and discovery. Innovative partnerships such as with Gipsy Hill and Fable mushrooms allow us to experiment even more - adding beer pairings to dishes takes the dinner time experience that step further for our customers at home.
“We’re particularly excited for people to get their teeth stuck into the vegan recipes on offer. Our expert chefs have created some incredible tasting alternatives that will go down a treat with veggies and meat eaters alike.”
Sam McMeekinm Co-Founder & MD at Gipsy Hill added: “Gousto's Southern Smokehouse range was the ideal opportunity to offer a perfectly paired selection of Gipsy Hill beers to home cooks. We’ve loved collaboratively designing and brewing a limited edition BBQ inspired wheat ale and are looking forward to introducing more customers to independently brewed beer that's generous with flavour."
The Southern Smokehouse range includes:
- Carolina-Style-Pulled Pork & Spicy Mac 'N' Cheese With Gold Sauce
- Carolina-Style-Pulled Fable Meaty Mushrooms & Mac ‘N’ Cheez With Gold Sauce
- Kansas-Style Ribs With Spicy BBQ Beans & Wedges
- Kansas-Style Aubergine Ribs With Spicy BBQ Beans & Wedges
- Texas-Style Chicken With Slaw, Pickled Cucumber & BBQ Sauce
- Texas-Style Tofu With Slaw, Pickled Cucumber & BBQ Sauce
- Memphis-Style Ribs With Potato Salad & Smokey Cobettes
- Memphis-Style Plant-Based Ribs With Potato Salad & Smokey Cobettes
Pork processor, Karro Food Group, has launched a new initiative to support British farmers.
The ‘I Love’ campaign will see the company pledge that 5p for every branded pack sold through retailers will be passed onto independent British farmers.
Bacon, ham and gammon, will be available as part of the ‘I Love’ campaign, which has been launched following a difficult period for pork producers, driven by record high costs of production, the backlog of pigs on farms, retail demand and high feed costs.
The campaign, which is already live in stores, will see the total amount generated for farmers calculated on a weekly basis based on the number of I Love branded packs sold. At the end of every four-week period the total amount in the fund will be divided between the total number of Red Tractor pigs processed during that period and split between qualifying supplying farmers.
Steve Canham, Commercial Director at Karro Food Group, said: “The work that Karro is doing to support farmers in need is absolutely vital, especially during what has been a very tough year. We’re very proud of the I Love initiative and hope to expand it in the future.”
Steve Ellis, Chief Executive Officer at Karro Food Group, spoke about the importance of supporting British farmers: “The sudden and significant increase in feed prices have plunged farmers into crisis. Whilst we are working collaboratively and proactively with our retail partners to secure a fair price for British pork, we hope this brand can be a permanent support for our hard-working farmers.”