Check out FoodNavigator-USA’s latest gallery of new products hitting US shelves, from a slew of plant-based meat and dairy alternatives to caffeinated dairy beverages, boba-packed Bubble Fruit cups, prebiotic-laced ‘Gut Happy’ cookies, ketchup with added veggies, and a new line of wellness beverages and shot from Ocean Spray.
Bubble Fruit from Del Monte Foods – rolling out at Walmart, Target, Kroger, Ahold and SUPERVALU – combines chunks of real fruit with popping boba in three flavors: Peach Strawberry Lemonade, Pear Berry Pomegranate and Sour Apple Watermelon.
HEINZ Tomato Ketchup with a Blend of Veggies features carrots and butternut squash (at inclusion rates of 25%) and has 25% less sugar than regular HEINZ Tomato Ketchup.
Littles - the latest innovation from Dr. Praeger’s - include broccoli, kale, spinach, and sweet potatoes, and make it “easy and yummy for kids to eat their veggies,” says the brand.
Oikos Pro Fuel caffeinated dairy beverages contain 25g protein from nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate and 100mg of caffeine from coffeebery extract per 10 oz. bottle. "Oikos Pro Fuel is the first product in a new portfolio, which is focused on high-protein and functional nutrition," said senior brand manager James Valdes.
Coca Cola Energy will make its US debut in January, says the firm, which launched the brand in Europe earlier this year. Each 12oz can contains 114mg caffeine, guarana extract and B-vitamins, with full sugar and diet options available.
“We saw an opportunity to meet an unmet need in the category,” said trademark innovation brand director Janki Gambhir, who said energy drinks are growing 5% annually in the US, although growth has slowed. “Research shows that people are open to trying energy drinks, but are hesitant to give these products a try because of unfamiliar brands touting unfamiliar ingredients.
“With Coca-Cola Energy, we are giving people even more reasons to reach for a Coke. Coke Energy is a disruptive proposition that will push Coca-Cola to places it hasn’t been before.” Read more HERE.
Cranberry coop Ocean Spray has unveiled its first new brand: Atoka Wellness. Developed at its Boston-based innovation hub Lighthouse, Atoka (which means cranberry in French-Canadian), features oatmilk elixirs, tea tonics, and herbal shots, which will debut in Boston and roll out in January 2020.
REBBL's new sparkling prebiotic tonics contain 6g fiber per bottle and are low in sugar (6-8g/bottle), making them a "perfect alternative to high-sugar kombuchas," says the brand.
Promising to bring an “indulgent adult treat and authentic flavors to the coffee aisle,” Kraft Heinz has teamed up with Diageo to launch non-alcoholic ready-to-drink cold brew coffee in cans (MSRP $2.39) with the flavor profile of cream liqueur brand BAILEYS.
The cold brew will launch with Irish Cream and Salted Caramel flavors, with new flavors hitting shelves in 2020. The pair have also developed BAILEYS roast & ground coffee bags and K-Cup pods (both with an (MSRP of $7.99).
Protein & Coconut is a new line of plant-based 'snack drinks' from Harmless Harvest made with a blend of coconut and plant-based proteins including pea, sunflower and pumpkin. The new line can be purchased at national retailers, including Whole Foods (MSRP $3.99).
Califia Farms has unveiled a new line of shelf-stable nitrogen-infused cold brew lattes made with oat milk in slim cans. The dairy-free lattes (XX Espresso, Mocha, Salted Caramel and Unsweetened Black & White) are available via Amazon and Califia’s website in 12-packs and in c-stores (MSRP $2.99).
The products feature a widget that froths the latte when the cans are cracked open.
The a2 Milk Company has launched a new line of coffee creamers in the US featuring milk made from cows that only produce A2 beta casein protein (most milk contains A2 and A1, which the company claims may be responsible for digestive discomfort experienced by milk drinkers that cannot be attributed to lactose intolerance or milk allergy).
Cold-pressed nut milk brand MALK Organics has unveiled a new line of creamers – claimed to be the first organic plant-based creamers with no gums or fillers - made from gluten-free organic whole grain oats and organic nuts available exclusively at Whole Foods.
Hälsa - Swedish for health – has moved into the spoonable dairy-free yogurt category with oatgurt in 5.3oz cups (MSRP $2.29) boasting a short, clean label (fermented whole grain oats, organic fruit juice, organic pea protein, organic coconut oil, organic tapioca flour, and organic flavor).
“The way we get more consumers to buy plant-based is to make better products: delicious, nutritious, and completely free of additives,” said CEO Mika Manninen.
Ice cream brand Van Leeuwen has tapped into the plant-based trend with a 7-SKU oatmilk based line of frozen desserts. The line will be available on the Van Leeuwen website in October 2019, and on retailer shelves in early 2020.
The latest additions to the portfolio at dairy-free brand Miyoko’s Creamery include cultured oat milk butters and nut-free cheeses made with potatoes, legumes, and oats.
Nestlé’s new ‘cook from raw’ plant-based Awesome Burger (launching under the Sweet Earth brand in retail and foodservice) has similar levels of sodium and saturated fat to the Impossible Burger and the Beyond Burger, but has significantly more protein and fiber, say Sweet Earth founders Brian and Kelly Swette (picture: Hardy Wilson).
Each Awesome Burger - which contains textured yellow pea protein, vital wheat gluten, coconut oil, and canola oil – contains 26g protein (vs 19g/20g for Impossible/Beyond), and 6g fiber (vs 3g for Impossible/Beyond).
Kellogg's MorningStar Farms is also getting in on the action with its new Incogmeato line, which includes a refrigerated plant-based burger made with non-GMO soy hitting shelves early next year, and frozen Chik'n tenders and nuggets.
The leading player in the frozen plant-based meat segment, MorningStar Farms has a 25% share and is growing in the high single digits according to Nielsen data.
Retail giants Albertsons and Kroger are both introducing new lines of plant-based products. Kroger’s collection - under the Simple Truth brand - includes fresh meatless burger patties and grinds as well as plant-based cookie dough, pasta sauces, sausages, deli slices, dips, and other products; while Albertsons’ line features the Plant Based Foods Association’s (PBFAs) ‘Certified Plant Based’ seal.
In a panel debate at the Good Food Conference last month, Kroger VP of Our Brands Gil Phipps said: “We’re seeing fantastic growth in plant-based. We’re at an intersection of curiosity and culinary. Customers are really open to plant-based alternatives when they taste delicious.”
Kroger has also teamed up with the PBFA to trial dedicated three-foot plant-based meat sets within its conventional meat department in 60 stores in Denver and parts of Indiana and Illinois.
Direct to consumer brand Raised Real has launched Breakfast Oats, four organic plant-based meal options for young children combining oats with fruits and veggie ingredients such as açaí, cranberry seed oil, ginger, and pears.
Parents can prepare the oats by adding water to the meal in a saucepan and heating for 5-6 minutes.
Square Baby – which ships frozen baby food directly to consumers in recyclable, re-sealable plastic jars – has launched a new SKU - Peanut Pumpkin Pie – featuring peanuts and okara (an upcycled ingredient from soybean pulp leftover from soymilk production) reflecting science showing that early introduction of allergens can reduce babies’ risk of developing food allergies.
Gut-friendly brand Uplift Food has launched low-sugar, high protein organic Gut Happy Cookies, which feature a blend of prebiotics and probiotics (MSRP $3.29). Production is set for October 2019 with the first expected launch online at www.upliftfood.com and Amazon in November 2019.
SMASHMALLOW DIPPED is the third product extension from the gourmet marshmallow brand and comes in two flavors: Dark Chocolate DIPPED Cold Brew and Dark Chocolate DIPPED Raspberry.
Carrington Farms has unveiled a slew of new products including ground lupin beans, Freekeh flour, goldenberry powder, beet powder, cassava flour, honeysuckle powder, and pomegranate powder.
Plus Products Inc has announced the e-commerce launch of gummies containing 50mg of hemp-derived CBD (per gummie). The launch is being supported by a partnership between PLUS and musician John Legend.
PLUS is also partnering with Casper Sleep Inc. to introduce its melatonin- and CBD-infused SLEEP gummies.
