At the Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo in Washington, DC, manufacturers showcased a variety of new and recently launched products tailored for different diets ranging from plant-based and allergen-friendly to low-sugar and high-protein.
The plant-based beverage company Mooala expanded its line of nut- and dairy-free bananamilks last month with the launch of its strawberry banana SKU, which is available now in select Whole Foods in Florida and soon to be in other retailers. The new flavor joins the company’s original and chocolate bananamilk, which have the consistency of 1% or 2% dairy milk, along with its line of almond milks. According to a spokeswoman what sets the banana milks apart from the competition is it is organic and available in a large-format 48 ounce bottle that is ideal for families who are managing multiple allergies. “There are a lot of people with nut and dairy allergies, and they don’t have a lot of options outside of soymilk, so we are trying to help them,” she said.
Plant-based frozen meal solution company Dr. Praeger’s is rolling out in Kroger stores nationwide currently a line of seven new Pure Plant Protein items that are “jam packed with protein” sourced from peas and “loaded with vegetables and ingredients you can recognize and read,” a spokeswoman told FoodNavigator-USA. For example, the Classic Chickenless tenders have a protein base with avocado oil, cauliflower and white beans. The line also includes All American and Sweet Heat Beet veggie burgers, Sunday Funday veggie sausages, Super Greens veggie nuggets, Classic Chick’N Tenders, Grandpa Mel’s BBQ Chick’N Tenders and Gametime Buffalo Chick’N Tenders.
Just in time for the brunt of winter to hit along with consumer desire for cozy comfort foods, Modern Family will roll out in February a line of new boxed vegan mac & cheese. The trio of flavors will include Southwest, White Cheddar Style and Classic Cheddar Style. The classic elbow noodles and spirals in the boxes are made from lentils, peas and rice and offer 15-16 grams of complete protein depending on the flavor. The line will be available in Whole Foods for a suggested price of $3 to $4, according to a company spokesman.
Portable almond butter and almond oil brand Noosh expands its line to include three almond protein powders that offer 17 to 21 grams of protein per serving. The line includes chocolate, vanilla and unflavored, which does not include any sweeteners or added flavors because unlike some plant-based proteins that can be bitter, almond has a mellow flavor profile, according to a spokeswoman. The protein powder is a byproduct of its almond oil production as it is what is left after the fat is removed from the nuts – giving the line a strong waste reduction story, as well. The line launched in January and is available online and at Vitamin Shoppe retail stores.
As a leader in the breakfast oat space it was only a matter of time before PepsiCo’s Quaker Oat brand launched an oat beverage. The new beverage stands out in the competitive landscape by being formulated with oat bran to qualify for the FDA heart health claim. Each 8 ounce serving has 75 grams of soluble fiber, which studies show may reduce the risk of heart disease when 3 grams are consumed daily as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol. The beverage will be available in January for $4.29 for a 48-ounce bottle and will come in original, original unsweetened and vanilla.
Ronzoni’s new SuperGreens rotini and thin spaghetti packs three servings of vegetables in every 3.5 ounce portion thanks to the addition of dried vegetable powder from spinach, zucchini, broccoli, parsley and kale. The pastas also are a good source of fiber, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and folate.
Dried superfood snack brand Rhythm expands its line of crunchy vegetable-based snacks with the launch of organic Carrot Sticks, which tout 10g to 11g of fiber per serving. The baked, not fried, snacks come ‘naked,’ in sea salt and ‘pre-dipped’ in ranch flavors.
The allergy-friendly, protein-focused brand OWYN (Only What You Need) is rounding out its portfolio of powders and ready to drink shakes with a new line of protein bars that are free of the top eight allergens – a key component that sets them apart from the competition. Each bar offers 10 g to 11 g of protein and are sweetened with a touch of cane sugar. This differs from the company’s drinks, which also have monkfruit. The bars are available in select retailers currently, but will be distributed broadly early next year.
The maker of Caulipower frozen pizza expands into a new category with the upcoming launch of Sweet PotaTOASTS, which claims to be the first frozen toast made from sliced and roasted sweet potatoes. At the show the sweet potato slices served as a base for everything from avocado to Nutella, showcasing their versatility. With the addition of a new core vegetable to its products, the company also created a new umbrella brand – Vegolutionary Foods, which is on a mission to revolutionize vegetable-based foods.
Chocolate milk is already a popular recovery drink for athletes, but Hershey’s Plus Protein shelf stable chocolate milk goes to the next level with 16 grams of protein in an 8 ounce serving. The Carb-to-protein ratio is “perfect for replenishing tired muscles,” according to the brand. The beverage will first target universities and sports stores and will become more broadly available in 2019.
With one in seven people struggling with symptoms of irritable bowel symptom, Enjoy Life Foods saw an opportunity to expand its mission to provide enjoyable safe food to consumers following specialty diets by becoming FODMAP Friendly certified. Currently, 22 of its products meet the special dietary certification, but the brand hopes more products will be approved in the future. At the same time, the brand continues to innovate within its broader allergen-friendly profolio with the addition of breakfast ovals and a new grab-and-go individually portioned package of Protein Bites, which have 6 grams of plant-protein and taste like a decadent truffle.
The Campbell Soup Co. also is rising to meet the need of consumers looking for low-FODMAP options with the upcoming launch of its Prego Sensitive Recipe traditional Italian sauce, which skips the onions and garlic. It also recognizes consumer desire to cut back on sugar with the launch of its No Sugar Added traditional Italian sauce.
Soozy’s continues to prove that gluten-free doesn’t have to mean taste-free with the launch of its coffee cake muffins, which are soft, moist and packed with fragrant fall flavors including cinnamon, nutmeg and dried orange peel. The allergy-friendly muffin launched in August and joins a line up that also includes wild blueberry, double chocolate and sweet potato. Other new flavors in the works include matcha green tea and banana chocolate.
Tolerant is reformulating its chickpea pasta to include only one ingredient, which means consumers will get a more nutrient-dense product that is free from the additives, fillers and binders often included in competing bean-based pasta lines. The company also offers allergen-friendly red lentil and green lentil pastas in a variety of shapes, all of which offer 14-21 grams of protein per 3 ounce serving and 40-48% of the daily recommended amount of fiber.
Just because a product is high in protein, doesn’t mean it has to be heavy as illustrated by Atkin’s new light and crispy protein wafers. The brand launched lemon vanilla, peanut butter and chocolate mint varieties as an indulgent desert that is low in sugar and carbs but have 10 grams to 11 grams of protein and 4 grams to 5 grams of fiber.
Beginning in December, parents will be able to buy Quaker Kids Organic chocolate or strawberry soft-baked, filled bars and blueberry and strawberry crunchy oat bites as a premium complement to Quaker’s existing Chewy granola snack bar line. The new line is made with “simpler labels and more premium ingredients,” as well as no artificial flavors, artificial preservatives or added colors. They have 11g to 16g of 100% whole grains and only 5g to 6g of sugar per serving.
Recognizing that on-the-go snackers and schoolchildren at lunch in the cafeteria don’t always have spoons to enjoy yogurt, Stonyfield Organic recently launched its Snack Packs with graham crackers or pretzels that double as ‘utensils’ for strawberry or chocolate low-fat yogurt.
Dave’s Killer Bread is expanding its popular bagel line with the addition of Boomin’ Berry, which is packed not only with cranberries, blueberries, blackberries and acai, but tout 13 grams of whole grains, 11 grams of protein and no high fructose corn syrup. The new flavor first launched in April and joins a line up that includes Epic Everything, Cinnamon Raisin Remix and Plain Awesome.
FNCE attendees chilled by an unexpected cold front sipped Pacific Foods’ organic bone broth made with chicken, Turkey or beef and a variety of herbs and spices. The bone broths are available in single serves for sipping on the go or in larger cartons for drinking alone or using as an ingredient in dishes. They offer 9 grams of protein per serving and are crafted to comply with several on-trend diets.