Round-up
Plant-based product launches for Veganuary 2023
Chicken gravy goes meat-free
Bisto has expanded its meat-free gravy offering with the launch of a new chicken flavour.
It follows the launch of the brand’s Meat Free Beef flavour in October 2022 and is suitable for consumers following a vegan diet.
Brand director for flavourings and seasonings at Premier Foods Helen Touchais said: “With consumers increasingly choosing to go meat-free, there is an opportunity to provide an alternative gravy within the category for those wanting to create a vegetarian or vegan dish with the same well known and loved taste of the original Bisto products.
“Bisto is a go to brand for the roast dinner occasion – especially at this time of year when the demand is high – and Bisto Best Meat Free Chicken Flavour Gravy is the ideal accompaniment to this and many other meal options.”
Asda unveils vegan ranges
Big four supermarket Asda has unveiled two new vegan ranges set to launch in 2023, containing more than 112 products.
The OMV! range has been marketed as premium indulgence, featuring meat-free meals and snacks such as Hot & Spicy No Chicken Burgers, Brioche Burger Buns, No Pork Caramelised Red Onion Sausages and Macaroni Cheese.
Meanwhile, Asda’s Plant Based range features meat-free equivalents to everyday kitchen staples, such as Bacon style rashers, Chick*n Caesar Wrap and Meat-Free Meat Balls.
The ranges will launch with 86 products available both in-store and online from January, with the full range becoming available throughout the year. Asda is supporting the launch by offering consumers £1 back through the supermarket’s app for each £5 spent on the new products.
Quorn kickstarts new year with chilled and frozen offerings
Meat-free brand Quorn has ‘beefed’ up its range with launches into the chilled and frozen aisles.
Quorn Mini Sausage Rolls (140g) join the brand’s chilled snacking range and are now available in stores.
The manufacturer has also launched three new frozen bag SKUs: Quorn Vegetarian Steak Strips (500g), Swedish Style Balls (30 balls in a pack, 501g) and Quorn Burgers (6 Pack, 300g).
Gill Riley, Marketing Director at Quorn Foods UK, said: “January is the highest penetration month in meat free, meaning that we see more and more new people choosing to try a vegan, vegetarian or flexitarian diet.
“Health and sustainability have long been the key purchase drivers for shoppers in meat free, but we know that people are now going to be looking for products that provide value for money as a priority.
“Our big bags are perfect for those families looking to fill the freezer with delicious meat free products, suitable for a range of different meals and occasions, minimising wastage and maximising value.”
Quorn Mini Sausage Rolls, 30 Swedish Style Balls and 6 Burgers in a bag will be available in Sainsbury’s and Morrisons from January.
This Isn’t Streaky Bacon
Meat alternative manufacturer THIS has built on its THIS Isn’t Bacon brand with the launch of THIS Isn’t Streaky Bacon in time for Veganuary.
The product is made using THIS’s novel plant-based fat, Fat 2.0, to emulate the smoky, meaty taste of bacon while cooking and looking like the real thing. THIS Isn’t Streaky Bacon contains 89% less saturated fat compared to animal fat and has 17Kcal per rasher,
Andy Shovel, Co-Founder of THIS said: “It’s taken two years of cutting-edge research and development to launch this. Not to mention the 1,000s of taste tests and inordinate number of grey hairs acquired. We couldn’t be happier with where we’ve landed. Our new streaky rashers can easily trick a meat-eater into thinking they’re pork bacon.”
THIS Isn’t Streaky Bacon will be available from almost 3,000 stores across Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose and for foodservice through restaurant group Bill’s.
Squeaky Bean targets mealtimes
Squeaky Bean is looking to take further strides into home cooked meals with the launch of Heat & Eat, two chicken style products for use in the kitchen.
Made with wheat and pea protein, Squeaky Bean’s latest launch is designed to be used as part of a meal and as a base for dinner recipes.
Its Seasoned Chicken Style Pieces are simply seasoned with a dash of salt and pepper, while its Tandoori Chicken Style Pieces bring together a blend of aromatic spices to serve as a base for curry dishes.
Both products can be pan fried in five minutes and are designed to hold their taste and texture while in the pan.
Rebecca Youseman, brand manager at Squeaky Bean, said: “When our fans said they wanted to cook with Squeaky, not just snack on it, we knew we had to listen. The Heat & Eat range will help bring more plant-based excitement to the kitchen, while holding that fantastic texture our products are known for.
“We believe that plant-based food should be an exciting choice rather than a chore and we are certain these new products offer just that – a craveable, convenient, ready to cook choice that will convert even the biggest of meat eaters.”
Vitalite taps into the spirit of Veganuary
Saputo Dairy UK’s dairy-free spread brand, Vitalite, has launched new brand positioning and a new website to mark Veganuary.
The new branding focuses on ‘all-round holistic health and wellbeing’, recognising the links between physical and mental health and how eating well plays a part in both.
Vitalite’s new product packaging emphasises its plant-based credentials, while the new website includes recipes and guides for consumers.
Lissie Bernard, brand manager for Vitalite, said Veganuary has played a huge part in the shift in consumer interest in plant-based products since the brands launch 20 years ago.
“The reach and appeal of the event has grown massively year on year, with Veganuary 2022 inspiring nearly 630,000 people to try vegan – a huge rise from the 3,000 taking part at its launch less than 10 years ago,” she added.
“For Vitalite this brings a great opportunity to spread some dairy free joy and encourage shoppers to uncover a world full of plant-based deliciousness. The opportunity to influence consumers long term product choices at this time of year is huge.”
