What’s hot in new product development across Europe? In Sweden, plant-based alt seafood brand Hooked is launching into retail with tuna and salmon alternatives. In the UK, Kallø is expanding its rice cake range to include a Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar offering, and in the skies – between Japan and London – plant-based tuna spreads are being served to Japan Airlines passengers. For the low-down on these new product developments and more, scroll through the photo gallery…
GettyImages/triocean
What’s hot in new product development across Europe? In Sweden, plant-based alt seafood brand Hooked is launching into retail with tuna and salmon alternatives. In the UK, Kallø is expanding its rice cake range to include a Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar offering, and in the skies – between Japan and London – plant-based tuna spreads are being served to Japan Airlines passengers. For the low-down on these new product developments and more, scroll through the photo gallery…
GettyImages/triocean
Ecotone-owned Kallø is expanding its Veggie Cakes range with a Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar jumbo pack.
According to the snacks brand, the launch responds to continued consumer appetite for new flavour combinations and functional ingredient products. The new HFSS compliant and gluten-free snack is made from lentils and peas.
“At Kallø, we’re focused on creating products that are better by nature – making healthy eating simple without compromising on taste,” said Adele Ward, Kallø Marketing and Category Director at Ecotone UK.
“Our Veggie Cakes have been hugely successful, tapping into the growing consumer trends towards plant-based products and functional ingredients. Our latest SKU, in one of the year’s most sought-after flavour combinations, is perfect for consumers who want to switch up their snacking with a product packed with plant-based goodness.”
The new SKU is available in a 122g pack, containing 13 jumbo-sixed cakes, with an RRP of £2.50.
Image source: Ecotone
After three years of R&D, alt seafood start-up Hooked is launching new plant-based alternatives Salmoonish & Toonish into retail.
The company said it has been overwhelmed by the positive consumer testimonials. Hooked has grown strongly with +25% month over month and is continuing to do so, with a +300% estimated growth in 2022.
“I am so happy to see the positive comments coming in from people,” said CEO Tom Johansson. “We have been working on these products for a long time and the million-dollar question is: when is it ready to launch? To get this response from people in this moment means everything to us.”
CMO Monika Werthén said she hopes this momentum can ‘make more waves’ in the plant-based seafood category. “I am extra proud to show this to whomever in the world is doubting plant-based seafood will have a place in our future retail shelves.
“There is a clear market and consumer demand out there asking for these products. I hope these consumer testimonials together with our recent growth inspires more companies and retailers to go get excited about this space.”
Image source: Hooked
Founder of Crave confectionery and snacks, Rob Brice, has won the Store Cupboard competition on Channel 4 TV Show Aldi’s Next Big Thing, securing a listing at Aldi.
“We almost didn’t enter, as we thought they were looking for artisan foods, and we didn’t think a vegan and free-from brand was what they were after but what the hell. They can only say no right? So we entered online and thought nothing of it,” recalled Brice.
Having launched free-from chocolate bars, Crave recently moved into snacks with Pickled Onion Monster Feet and Smokey Flavoured Streakers.
“The listing in Aldi for us is huge, our biggest order to date and we hope the start of a beautiful relationship!! The Aldi team have been great to deal with and we like to think they get Crave, what we’re about and what we’re trying to do,” said Brice.
Crave’s Pickled Onion Monster Feet and Smokey Flavoured Streakers are available now in Aldi as Specialbuys.
Image source: Crave
BettaF!sh has secured a partnership with Japan Airlines to offer a plant-based TU-NAH Sandwich Wrap in their on-board catering between London and Tokyo.
With recipe development from premium foods supplier J Gourmet, the new sandwich wrap includes the German plant-based brand’s TU-NAH Creamy as the main ingredient – made from seaweed and fava beans.
“What delighted us most about working with Japan Airlines was the overwhelmingly positive feedback we received from day one. It was a huge honour to have the authenticity and deliciousness of our TU-NAH ratified by one of the world’s leading countries when it comes to seafood and fish,” said Jacob von Manteuffel, co-founder of BettaF!sh.
Japan Airlines also welcomed the partnership. “I am amazed that ‘umami’ flavours can be enjoyed with this vegan alternative tuna,” said Masahiro Nishino, Catering Operations Manager at Japan Airlines.
Image source: BettaF!sh
Drinking chocolate manufacturer Cocoa Canopy has revamped its packaging with Futamura’s renewable and compostable film: NatureFlex.
The film is made from renewable cellulose, sourced from responsibly managed plantations, and is fully certified for home and industrial composting.
“Cocoa Canopy has always been about the provenance but, until we refreshed our brand, it wasn’t talked about and wasn’t mentioned on the packaging,” said Emma Wilson, Business Development Manager at Cocoa Canopy. “Being kind to the planet is not just about business, I want to work for a pioneering company that my future grandchildren can be proud of.”
The film is used to wrap Cocoa Canopy’s chocolate beads, designed to be melted into milk or water for an in-home experience of ‘luxurious’ hot chocolate – to be enjoyed hot or iced. According to the business, it is in an ‘excellent’ position to capitalise on the growth in the premium hot chocolate category.
Image source: Cocoa Canopy
Children’s fruit snack brand Fruit Bowl has partnered with Treasure Trails, a self-guided themed treasure hunt company, to launch an in-pack map game: The Lost Treasure.
The map inserts can be found within boxes of Fruit Bowl’s Strawberry, Raspberry, and Blackcurrant flavoured Peeler snacks.
Four treasure maps are available, each based on a Fruit Bowl brand character’s ‘world’, be it Todd’s Coral Reef, Max’s Jungle, Hettie’s Watering Hole, or Lily’s Mountain. On each map, children will find a QR code which, when scanned, unlocks online games giving directions to the ‘secret hiding place’ on the map.
If consumers input this hiding place into Fruit Bowl’s online portal, they will be in the running to win a monthly prize draw worth £500.
Fruit Bowl’s Peelers have an RRP of £2.50 and are available in Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, The Co-Op, and Waitrose stores, as well as via online grocery company Ocado.
Image source: Fruit Bowl
