Recently launched Moyu is a revolutionary superfood baking start-up creating plant-powered, gluten-free products rooted in Konjac - a fibre-rich root vegetable that has been used in Asia for over 2,000 years.
A flour alternative, Konjac contains glucomannan, a soluble dietary fibre renowned for its ability to absorb water and form a gel-like substance. It is also considered sustainable because it requires little care when grown in the right terroir.
Moyu is the brainchild of third-generation food entrepreneur Gillian Hu, who grew up in Yunnan, China, and now resides in New York City. While Konjac was ingrained in her childhood, it was while training as a competitive athlete that Gillian discovered the ingredient’s potential to create recipes that met her daily carb, protein, fat and micronutrient requirements.
Hu then spent two intense years with food science and agricultural experts to develop a first-of-its-kind Konjac-based proprietary batter & baking mix.
“MOYU is more than a product; it’s my dream brought to life, redefining wellness in both bustling marketplaces and intimate kitchen corners,” said Hu.
“From quick bites to soulful kitchen sessions, Moyu empowers everyone with a wholesome way to embrace today's wellness and nutrition trends, suiting every style, every moment.”
Moyu has launched with two offerings - a Konjac Batter & Baking Mix and ready-to-eat superfood cakes.
The batter & baking mix can be used to create fibre and protein-packed bakery treats - such as pancakes, muffins and brownies - and can be adapted for a variety of dietary preferences (high protein, low carb, vegan and paleo). It is made without top 14 allergen ingredients and no added sugar, and packs in 9g of fibre and protein.
Moyu’s range of RTE superfood cakes are grain-free, gluten-free and high in protein. With zero added sugar and made with pasture-raised eggs, the cakes are available in three variants, including The Yunnan (Cacao Reishi Mushroom), The Kunming (Orange Blossom Goji) and The Dali (Jujube Walnut Banana). They are sold at $8.99for 50g mini-loaf and $28.99 for a 200g loaf.
Despite its infancy, Moyu has already won support from Natalia Coelho (athlete and professional women’s physique competitor), Zhongjing-Fang (ballerina and choreographer, American Ballet Theatre) and Zoey Gong (social media sensation and chef).
“Every element in our Moyu blend tells a story of deep-rooted culture, respect for nature and our shared pursuit of wellness within a harmonious existence with the world around us,” Hu added.
The Konja Batter & Baking Mix has an RRP of £13.69, while the cakes are $8.99 for a 50g mini-loaf and $28.99 for a 200g loaf. Available online for shipping across the US, products are also sold at speciality retailers like The Well New York and Foodcellar.
Country Archer Provisions has developed two alternatives to traditional snacking options in convenient, kid-friendly packaging just in time for back-to-school.
Unlike chips and pretzels, which lack an abundance of protein, these Mini Meat Sticks and Jerky Snack Packs stand out by using real, premium ingredients. The portioned protein snacks are made from clean-label ingredients, which will resonate with health-conscious consumers seeking better-for-you snacking options.
The Rosemary Turkey Mini Sticks feature all-natural turkey infused with herbs and spices like rosemary, basil, thyme, garlic and onion. The Original Beef Jerky Snack Packs consist of 100% grass-fed beef combined with spices like garlic and onion powder. The bite-sized sticks and beef jerky packs are low-to-no sugar, free of nitrites/nitrates and contain no unnecessary preservatives.
“Unlike most of our competitive set, the Country Archer brand is a true meat snack portfolio, offering a wide variety of flavours, proteins, pack formats and sizes to ensure consumers have healthy, delicious options whenever and wherever they need them,” said cofounder and CEO Eugene Kang.
“We are thrilled to introduce a new protein - turkey - to our hugely popular Mini Sticks line and also launch a snack pack version of our beef jerky, ideal for portion control and back-to-school. Driven by a growing appetite for quality and portable protein, we developed these two products in response to overwhelming consumer demand for an expanded range of our portfolio.”
Available in select retailers across the US - as well as on Amazon and online - the Rosemary Turkey Mini Stick comes in 12-35-count multipacks starting at an RRP of £14.99; while the Beef Jerky Snack Pack comes in five individually packaged 1oz snack packs, perfect for on-the-go, starting at $14.99.
After baking for the foodservice market for nearly 40 years, Shipley-based Just Desserts Yorkshire has launched its own-label retail classic sponge cake range.
Housed in sustainable and recyclable packaging, the newly developed sponge cakes come in four variants: Victoria Sponge, Chocolate, Lemon and Toffee.
“We are excited to be able to reveal our first prepackaged products available for the retail market,” said Kate Williams, general manager of Just Desserts Yorkshire.
“As part of our growth, Just Desserts products are now available to both business and consumer markets.
“The new sponge cake range really showcases the quality of our brand and the products we produce.”
The brand is currently working on expanding its handcrafted desserts range for retail.
“This is just the beginning of our retail expansion and customers can look forward to more retail developments in the coming weeks,” added Williams.
The cake retail range is available to both the business and consumer markets, retailing for an RRP of £4.49 (1 x 6 case size).
Healthy snacking company That’s it. has launched its first-ever holiday edition snack product.
In a radical departure from the typical sugar-laden Halloween go-to’s, these seasonal treats contain just fruit and nothing more.
Most importantly, they’re also 100% allergy friendly. Halloween is a holiday infamous for a spike in cases of anaphylaxis (an acute, life-threatening hypersensitivity disorder).
“Halloween should be a time of joy and excitement for all children, including those who have food allergies,” said Dr Sung Poblete, CEO of Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE).
“With food allergies on the rise, it is so important to have top-9 allergen free options and we are thankful that brands like That’s it. offer safer alternatives for our food allergic community during this festive time and throughout the year.”
Available in two flavours - Mummy Mango and Wicked Banana - each fun-sized fruit bar is made with 100% real fruit and contains just two ingredients: mango/banana and apples. Absolutely no juices, purees or concentrates or added sugars. The treats are also non-GMO, gluten-free and kosher.
Parents of children who suffer from food allergies can now allow their little ones to celebrate along with other trick-or-treaters.
Available online, on Amazon and at Costco’s in the Northeast, Northwest and Texas in a 40-pack that includes 20 of each flavour for an RRP of $24.99.
With Oktoberfest (16 September-3 October) around the corner, Eastern Standard Provisions - Boston-based makers of artisanal soft pretzels - partnered with the legendary brewers at Samuel Adams to create the ideal lager for the occasion.
Wheelhaus Dunkel (5.5% ABV) is brewed from Eastern Standard Provisions’ brioche-style soft pretzels that provide a deep bready note, while a touch of salt brightens and adds zing.
“As we started to think about this brew, we looked at our classics,” said Jacobi Reid, a brewer at Samuel Adams.
“We’ve long served Eastern Standard Pretzels at our taprooms and Dunkels are a favourite fall style for our beer garden season and our brewing team.
“Pretzels have that crusty, toasty, and nutty flavour - the same sort of flavour profile you look for in a Dunkel - so we add them in to pump up the bready notes to this lager and salt to add some contrast that brightens up the beer.”
From 15 September, fans can enjoy the Wheelhaus Dunkel at Samuel Adams’ Boston brewery locations or purchase it on draft and in limited-time 4-packs (RRP of $18), while stocks last.
Kerrygold has introduced ready-to-eat cheese sticks in a convenient and snackable format.
Rolling onto store shelves across the US with eight sticks per pack, Kerrygold Cheese Snacks are gluten-free and a good source of protein. Made from the milk from Kerrygold’s Irish grass-fed cows, which is rich in beta-carotene and gives the snacks their rich golden colour.
The range contains two variants:
- Aged Cheddar: A connoisseur’s cheese, expertly graded and notable for its rich, rounded flavour, creamy taste and firm body.
- Dubliner: Distinctive, rounded flavour of a mature cheddar, with sweet nutty tones of a Swiss and a piquant bite of aged Parmesan.
The snacks stay true to Kerrygold’s tradition of producing all-natural dairy products from premium-quality milk provided from 14,000 small Irish family farms. Kerrygold farmers are members of local milk cooperatives - owned by the farmers themselves - which help preserve family farming traditions that have been passed on for generations.
“The Cheese Snacks range is an exciting addition to Kerrygold’s cheese portfolio, as well as an entry into the ready-to-eat snack category,” said Alexandra Vinci, brand manager for Kerrygold.
“We’re thrilled to now have a Kerrygold option for busy parents and kids, as well as all of the on-the-go snackers and brand fans alike.”
Kerrygold Cheese Snacks are available at Wegman's, Whole Foods and Giant Foods, among other retailers across the US.
UK plant-based cake brand OGGS have launched Mega Caramel and Vanilla Cupcakes to capitalise on the demand for cruelty-free treats.
The launch follows research by the Reading University - Consumer behaviour, perceptions, and preferences towards eggs - which shows that while 92% of Brits choose to buy free-range eggs when possible, that same group aren’t aware that most cakes sold in UK supermarkets use barn or caged eggs. According to a report by the British Hen Welfare Trust, some of the UK’s biggest cake manufactures - including Mr Kipling, Cadbury’s and McVitie’s - use mostly barn (and some cage) eggs in their bakes.
A significant 89% of the respondents said that knowing this, they would be more likely to buy from a cake brand that doesn’t use eggs from barn or caged chickens.
In place of eggs, OGGS’ cupcakes are made from OGGS Aquafaba, a plant-based egg alternative that creates 72% less CO2e than eggs.
“We all like to think that we make the most responsible choices, but this new research shows that this thinking doesn’t apply to cake,” said Hannah Carter, founder and CEO of OGGS.
“By choosing cruelty free cake, we can still enjoy all our favourite treats without compromise.”
Additionally, the cakes are packaged in 100% recycled and recyclable plastic trays, further reducing the impact of our favourite treats on the planet.
To date, purchases of OGGS products (first launched in 2019) have reduced the need for over 6 million eggs, saving more than 2,000 tonnes of CO2e and given over a million chickens a well-deserved week off, added Carter.
“Our new Mega Cupcakes give shoppers a delicious opportunity to celebrate and share, while making a positive impact to animals and the planet.”
The mega cupcakes are available in 9-count packs, from Tesco and Ocado for an RRP of £9.
When embarking on a vegan lifestyle, sadly there are certain snacks you will miss out on.
“Trying different brands on the market, we felt something was still missing. They weren’t satisfying enough,” said Gaby Castro, founder of Botko Foods.
“As a result, I created Botko, a line of products with only the most selective plant based ingredients. Preparing our alternatives allowed us to choose the ingredients, selecting only the best, making sure everything was grain-, gluten-, dairy- and soy free, with no added sugars or artificial preservatives.
“At Botko, we believe in ‘we are what we eat’ and want you to thrive with our love-infused superfood snacks.”
The brand’s Sea Salt Grain Free Crackers are made with only plant-based ingredients like arrowroot, almonds, coconut, flaxseed, extra virgin olive oil and sea salt, making them a good source of fibre, protein and heart-healthy fats to support easy digestion and nourishment. They are certified gluten-free, non-GMO Project Verified, are cholesterol free and pack in 4g of fibre, 9g of healthy fats and 9g of protein.
With a satisfying crunch and a sprinkle of sea salt, “you may find it hard to stop. But that’s okay - with Botko, you can feel good about snacking,” added Castro.
Botko’s Sea Salt Grain Free Crackers are available online in 1-pack ($7), 3-pack ($21) and 6-pack ($36) options.
Potato chips are full of satisfying crunch and salty flavour - but sadly, most are underwhelming in the nutrition department.
Enter Wilde Protein Chips, made from chicken breast, egg whites and bone broth. They deliver the same satisfying crunch of a potato chip, but without a spud in sight and loaded with 10g+ of protein per serving.
When the Tennessee-based producer was founded in 2017, the brand took a hyper-targeted approach, zeroing in on niche, fitness-focused retail spaces. In recent years, the benefits of protein have become more prevalent to all health-conscious consumers and Wilde revamped its strategy to meet a wider audience, from parents shopping for kids’ snacks, to health-aware millennials and on-the-go road trippers.
Today, Wilde is in over 21,000 stores across the US, from convenience stores to majors, natural stores to ecom retail spaces such as Thrive Market and Amazon.
The company has recently expanded its lineup with a new flavour: Barbeque. According to a 2020 survey from Statista, barbeque is the second most popular potato chip flavour after plain - and knowing consumers are seeking snacks that are high in protein, Wilde is excited to serve BBQ fans with a product unlike anything they've had before (other protein chip brands get their punch from a protein powder.)
Available in seven flavours, Wilde’s range of 100% all-natural chicken breast, egg white and bone broth chips offer a totally unique option: real ingredients, high protein, bold flavours and a thin, crispy texture.
Wilde Barbeque Protein Chips are available in retailers across the US for an RRP of $7.99 for a 4oz bag.
With the Mid-Autumn Festival (30 September) fast approaching, Kitsby - the NYC-based Asian baking and culinary experience company - has updated its All Star Mooncake Box Set.
This year, Kitsby’s mooncakes come from first-generation Taiwanese American founder Amy Hsiao’s original recipes. Offered while supplies last, the sampler box comes in four modern flavours:
- Black Sesame: Made with black sesame imported from Taiwan, which is roasted and ground into a smooth and thick paste and pan-fried until fragrant. The aromatic sesame is not only used in the filling; the skin of the mooncake is also aged/soaked in the paste for five days.
- Taiwanese Black Tea with Salted Egg Yolk: Taiwanese black tea is mixed with bean paste and paired with creamy egg yolk for a rich and bold flavour. Aged for five days in bean paste.
- White Lotus Paste with Salted Egg Yolk: White lotus paste is the most traditional filling. This mooncake is also aged in it for an extra five days for maximum flavour and moist texture.
- Green Tea with Azuki Bean (Red Bean): Japanese matcha tea is fused with white bean paste (suitable for people with nut allergies) while the azuki beans are kept whole for texture. Aged for five days in bean paste.
Derived from the custom of honouring the moon and commemorating the autumn harvest, Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated by numerous Asian countries each year on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar. Mooncakes are the food staple of the holiday, with their round shape symbolising family unity.
While some of Kitsby’s flavours are creative and non-traditional, Hsiao said the skin of Kitsby’s mooncakes is produced in the more labour-intensive traditional method. The dough is made by combining flour with lye water and golden syrup. After baking, the mooncakes are wrapped and left to sit for five days so that the fat of the paste that is used in the filling can soak in and increase moisture. Nowadays, many commercial mooncakes are machine-made, but Kitsby’s are all crafted by hand in New York.
A native of Chinatown NYC, Hsiao bridges childhood memories with traditional techniques to create fun, accessible recipes that incorporate Asian ingredients — from cream puffs and matcha brownies to hotpot and herbal soups. Melding ‘kits by’ and pronounced ‘kits-bee’, Kitsby’s name communicates a desire to offer products for anyone, anywhere.
“Growing up in an Asian American family, we waited excitedly for relatives to bring mooncakes to our Mid-Autumn Festival gatherings because my parents had craftily tricked me into thinking that mooncakes can only be eaten if they were gifted to you,” said Hsiao, who also offers workshops in NYC.
“Perhaps that’s why now I’ve both ‘rebelled’ by making my own and embraced the tradition of gifting mooncakes.”
Kitsby’s All Star Mooncake Box Set is available for nationwide shipping across the US for an RRP of $55.
Wellness brand BelliWelli has won a listing in 1,554 Target stores across the US for its best-selling flavours Crunchy Peanut Butter Chocolate and Chocolate Chip.
Recognised as the ‘second brain’, the gut has a profound influence on our entire body, impacting everything from our skin to mood. Furthermore, roughly 72% of adults grapple with digestive issues with women being 2x as likely as men. Despite all this, gut health is still not prioritised or given enough attention on shelves.
Guided by a mission to improve gut health, BelliWelli has established itself as a leader in the $280bn functional food space. By helping women eat better and feel better, the brand is helping improve the lives of hundreds of millions - and that is just scratching the surface.
On 17 September, BelliWelli’s wellness snacks will be available nationwide, tapping into this underserved segment in an effort to make gut health mainstream. This news follows BelliWelli’s rapid retail expansion into over 1,000 new doors, including Sprouts, H-E-B, Kings, Fresh Thyme, Hungry Root and more.
The brand’s gluten-free, dairy-free, low-sugar and low FODMAP baked snack bars has seen the company increase tenfold since launching in 2021, with $15.4 million raised in a Series A round earlier this year.
Relatable marketing is at the heart of BelliWelli’s ethos, evident in the 40% jump in sales in over a million impressions to its site in just two weeks when it deployed its ‘Hot girls have IBS’ out-of-home billboard campaign last year. Gut health is also gaining attention on social platforms like TikTok, a trend that BelliWelli is tapping into, spending 20% of its annual ad budget on influencer marketing.
“Using humour to kind of make the message stick and make it more digestible for a lot of audiences is really clever,” cofounder and CEO Katie Wilson told Modern Retail.
“It’s taking a really refreshing approach to women’s gut health.
“When you’re a consumer faced with 120 different bar options in the bar aisle, you’re probably more likely to choose the one that you have a personal connection to.”
Rude Health has added a new flavour to its lineup of Bircher Muesli
Apple & Cinnamon is rolling out in 136 Waitrose stores across the UK, followed by wholesales Auguste Noel and Suma, for an RRP of £3/375g.
Building on the success of the original Soft & Fruity Bircher Muesli, Rude Health developed the Apple & Cinnamon variant using the same base of finely milled oats that go soft in seconds, before adding pieces of apple and cinnamon for a touch of spice.
“We know more people are choosing to have breakfast-at-home in a bid to save money on their café croissant, however we also know they are short on time in the morning and so want a quick and delicious option,” said Rude Health founder Camilla Barnard.
“To meet this growing consumer need, it made perfect sense to build on the success we’ve seen with our original Soft & Fruity Bircher Muesli.
“We hope that by adding this new softly spiced and classic flavour combination, we will help widen the appeal of our Bircher range.”
The full Rude Health range is made using quality ingredients and nothing artificial. All products are non-UPF (ultra processed foods), organic, dairy-free, non GMO and contain no gums. While other dairy-free brands can be prescriptive and packed with emulsifiers and additives, Rude Health is focused on taste and enjoyment.
The Putney Bridge-based company was founded by Nick and Camilla Barnard in 2005 at their kitchen table to overcome the typical bland healthy food scenario.
Nearly 18 years in, Rude Health can be found in fridges and cupboards worldwide with a 60+ product portfolio comprising granolas, porridges, puffs, flakes, snacks and dairy-free drinks. Its commitment to championing sustainability through its sourcing and packaging also saw the brand achieve BCorp status in 2021.
Britain’s largest bakery brand - Warburtons - has debuted its latest innovation.
The Soft Naans have a soft, fluffy texture and an authentic taste that consumers are set to love. They can be warmed in the toaster in under two minutes to be enjoyed on their own or as a perfect pairing with any curry or kebab. The naans are also great as an alternative base for a pizza.
Warburtons has invested £400m in innovation over the past decade and now produces over 70 different types of products to cater to all tastes. The Soft Naans follow the brand’s launch of Crumpet Thins, the expansion of the 21 Seeds & Grains line into Thin Bagels, and Gluten Free Fruity Buns.
“Consumers are always looking for different, more interesting meal options, which is why we continue to invest in expanding our product range,” said Jonathan Warburton, chairman of Warburtons.
“Our Soft Naans offer consumers a high-quality product that is convenient and versatile.”
Also certified vegan, Soft Naans are exclusively available at Morrisons, with a further rollout in Tesco, Iceland, Asda and Co-op for an RRP of £1.50 for a 4 pack.
