Banza, a maker of chickpea-based foods, has launched two new pizza offerings that include plant-based ingredients from Beyond Meat and Danone-owned Follow Your Heart. Banza Supreme is a vegetarian option made with smoky San Marzano tomato sauce, a three cheese blend of mozzarella, provolone and white cheddar, red onions, fire-roasted green and red peppers and plant-based Beyond Meat Sausage Italian Crumbles. Meanwhile, Banza Plant-Based Cheese is a vegan pie layered with San Marzano tomato sauce, infused with caramelised onion and roasted garlic and topped with plant-based mozzarella from Follow Your Heart. According to the company, the new pizzas offer the same nutritional benefits as Banza’s original pizza varieties, with more protein and fibre and fewer net carbs and sodium than other pizza crusts. Banza’s CEO and co-founder, Brian Rudolph, said: “Chickpeas, and more broadly beans, are one of the best foods for human health and the environment. Since launching our crust, we’ve hoped to create a vegan cheese pizza.” Rudolph continued: “While we aren’t comfortable using meat, we’re filling the void using a plant-based option. We created these two new varieties to give people another way to enjoy their favourite foods, all while eating more chickpeas.” Banza’s Supreme and Plant-Based Cheese pizzas are available nationwide at retailers and e-commerce platforms, including Kroger and Amazon. #FollowYourHeart #US #Banza #BeyondMeat #Danone #pizza

SternVitamin, a subsidiary of Stern-Wywiol Gruppe, has developed new micronutrient premixes for the fortification of plant-based products. The company’s new SternVitalityV premix was designed for a coffee oat drink and features vitamins and minerals that are said to reduce tiredness and fatigue. Meanwhile, SternDefenceV was developed for a fruity oat drink and contains vitamins, minerals and botanicals, including sea buckthorn, vitamins B2, C, D and E, and trace elements selenium and zinc. “Customer interest in micronutrient premixes for plant-based products is growing,” said SternVitamin product manager, Christina Mesch. “So together with our sister company, Planteneers, we have developed further concepts for plant-based drinks that address the current health trend.” #Planteneers #SternVitamin

Squeaky Bean has launched new additions to its plant-based slices range. The new variations include roast chicken, honey roast ham and Applewood smoked ham. The new flavours are made from wheat and pea vegetable protein and are fortified with vitamin B12, iron and zinc. They also contain over 20g/100g of protein. The ready-to-eat lunchtime sandwich slices have a ‘delicate’ texture and are coated with seasonings to mimic real meat slices. Sarah Augustine, Squeaky Bean brand manager, said: “We have only just scratched the surface of what’s possible for vegan Squeaky Bean options at lunch and we’re very excited about this launch and pumped to give everyone another tasty, easy switch.” She continued: “This will be an area of real innovation as the sector growth accelerates and Squeaky Bean will continue to be at the forefront with a game-changing product pipeline”. The 120g packs are available in Sainsbury’s from 29 September with an RRP of £3. Roll-out with other retailers is expected to follow. #plantbased #SqueakyBean #UK #vegan

Plant-based oils and fats supplier AAK has announced its acquisition of speciality lecithin compound business, BIC Ingredients, for an undisclosed sum. BIC Ingredients, a subsidiary of BIC International Holding, sources raw materials from numerous regions around the world to produce lecithin – an unrefined emulsifier composed of plant-based oils such as soy, sunflower and rapeseed. Alec van Veldhoven, commercial director at AAK, said: “BIC Ingredients is a natural fit with our business. BIC’s existing lecithin customers will now be able to benefit from AAK’s unique customer co-development approach, which is driven by customer needs, built on collaboration, and geared for better success rates and lasting value. By expanding our portfolio further, we will be able to create even better solutions in close collaboration with our customers globally.” Harro de Groot, CEO of BIC International Holding, commented: “I am pleased for our customers that BIC’s lecithin business will now be integrated into AAK’s co-development approach, focusing on finding solutions for the customers we serve, alongside our current high standards of quality assurance”. He continued: “My team and myself will remain involved in the business and will continue to support AAK’s natural emulsifiers team over the next three years. This transaction will further enable BIC International Holding to increase its focus on plant-based protein through our entity BIC Protein.” The acquisition is said to give customers “the opportunity to source speciality lecithin ingredients alongside oils and fats from one trusted supplier”. AAK will incorporate BIC Ingredients’ portfolio into its current speciality lecithin offering, which is sold under the Akolec brand. #BICInternationalHolding #BICIngredients #AAK #oilsandfats #lecithin

UK vegan bakery brand Oggs is expanding its product range with its first-ever chilled aisle dessert – plant-based hot puddings. The new offerings are available in two flavours: chocolate fudge pudding and sticky toffee pudding. Both puddings include Oggs Egg Alternative Aquafaba, its liquid egg alternative for use in home baking and cooking. Hannah Cartner, Oggs founder, commented: “Most people enjoy a sweet treat after dinner, but the search for plant-based options that taste great can still be a challenge. We are super excited to launch this brand-new product range in time for autumn and ahead of Christmas festivities when finding a great plant-based alternative to Christmas pudding is difficult.” “For vegans and the environmentally-conscious consumer, the new melt-in-the-middle puddings are the perfect choice for a guilt-free, ethical dessert which isn’t going to harm the planet”. The puddings will launch in the chilled dessert aisle of Sainsbury’s stores across the UK from 10 October and come in packs of two with an RRP of £2.75. #desserts #Oggs #plantbased

Vegan and vegetarian brand Cauldron Foods has unveiled two new additions to its tofu portfolio: Organic Quick & Tasty Tofu and organic tofu mince. In celebration of National Tofu Month, the new vegan offerings are made from organic tofu and sustainable soya beans. The tofu mince is high in protein, calcium and low in saturated fat. Tom Lindley, head of Cauldron, said: “Shoppers are increasingly looking to replace beef mince with vegan products that are made from organic ingredients. Cauldron’s Organic Tofu Mince is a first for the brand and is the only vegan mince in the market that is made from organic and sustainable soya beans.” Cauldron Organic Quick & Tasty Tofu is available now in Asda with an RRP of £1.90 per 250g. The organic tofu mince is available in Asda and Tesco with an RRP of £2.25 per 180g. #CauldronFoods #plantbased #Tofu

UK plant-based brand Moving Mountains has announced the release of its second plant-based seafood product offering with its new fish fillet. The Moving Mountains fish fillet is 100% free of microplastics and mercury, has 10g of protein and 4.5g of fibre per 100g. The fillet has a flaky texture designed to mimic actual fish and is coated in panko breadcrumbs. Simeon Van der Molen, founder of Moving Mountains, says: “The Moving Mountains fish fillet is going to revolutionise the nation’s favourite meal: fish and chips. 380 million portions of fish and chips are eaten every year, but this is impacting the oceans, where there is already a sustainability crisis. Our ground-breaking new product will allow Brits to enjoy this national treasure whilst protecting sea life across the globe.” He continued: “Our team have spent years perfecting the fish fillet, so it looks and tastes just like the real thing, with all the health benefits too. Our fish fillet has 10g of protein and 4.5g of fibre for every 100g. We are thrilled to be launching the product in Ocado, so that Brits can enjoy the product nationwide.” The plant-based fillet can be cooked from frozen in a frying pan or cooked in the oven in less than 20 minutes. This launch comes after the release of its fish fingers last year. The new product is now available to purchase on Ocado with an RRP of £3.99. #MovingMountains #Plantbasedseafood #UK

Plant-based dairy company Ripple Foods has raised $60 million in a Series E funding round led by Rage Capital, Ajax Strategies and S2G Ventures. Headquartered in California, Ripple Foods uses protein from yellow peas to create dairy alternative products such as plant-based milk, protein shakes and frozen desserts. The company’s Series E round was also backed by OurCrowd, GV, Prelude Ventures, Euclidean, Fall Line Capital and Tao Capital Partners. Commenting, Ripple Foods CEO Laura Flanagan said: “This capital raise will enable us to accelerate innovation and growth across product categories, and expand into new channels and global markets”. “It allows us to further achieve our mission of making plant-based foods that are better for people, and better for the planet, on an even larger scale,” she added. Chuck Templeton, managing director of S2G Ventures, said: “Our investment with Ripple supports its continued growth and success in the milk aisle and its upcoming innovation in new product categories”. “Ripple is a clear leader in plant-based dairy alternatives, and we are excited to support this team of proven industry veterans as they continue to scale the business.” #Dairyalternatives #RippleFoods #S2GVentures #US

UK brand Native Snacks has announced the launch of its vegan prawn crackers under its range of retail snacks ‘Super Street Snacks’. The new Pr*wn Crackers are available in two flavours – original prawn and sweet chilli – and are crustacean-free, egg-free, milk-free and gluten-free. Charlie and Darcy, founders of Native Snacks, said: “We were shocked to hear that the farming of prawns produces more Co2 than beef per kg. We wanted to create an easy like-for-like swap for such an iconic snack for vegans and non-vegans alike to enjoy. We loved eating prawn crackers as kids and no Friday night takeaway felt right without a bag.” They continued: “We always had some friends who couldn’t eat them due to being veggie or vegan. As well as creating something that tasted delicious, it also had to work from an ethical standpoint too. We knew from looking at the many vegan Instagram accounts that we follow – many who have posted about wanting to find a ‘prawn’ cracker – that the demand was there.” The crackers contain just under 99 calories per serving and will be available in the vegan bay across 222 Asda Stores from 4 October with an RRP of £1.60 for a 60g sharing bag. The range will also be available from Planet Organic and the Native Snacks website. #NativeSnacks #plantbased #snacks #UK

Upfield-owned dairy-free cheese brand, Violife is expanding its portfolio with the launch of a new plant-based light butter alternative: Violife’s Viospread Light & Creamy. The new offering is free from dairy, soya, gluten, lactose, nuts, and preservatives. Violife’s senior marketing manager, Bianca Harris, said: “Not only is it perfect for easy spreading and topping, as with all Violife products, Viospread Light & Creamy is 100% vegan and retains the same great taste and appeal to all audiences, as the rest of our dairy-free products”. She continued: “For those following a vegan, vegetarian or flexitarian lifestyle, our Viospread Light & Creamy is a great option for everyone interested in trying new plant-based alternatives”. With an RSP of £2, Viospread Light & Creamy is available in Asda and Sainsbury’s stores across the UK. Last month, Violife launched a new vegan butter alternative, Vioblock. #Dairyalternatives #UK #Violife #Viospread

McCain Foods has announced the launch of its new plant-based brand which will offer dips, spreads, sauces and cheeses made from root vegetables. The Simple Root range will include cooking sauces – such as bechamel, truffle and cheese – pesto, cream ‘cheeze’ and a variation of dips such as roasted garlic and herb and smoky chipotle. The range will be made with minimal processing, a low carbon footprint and from locally sourced ingredients. The plant-based brand uses innovative technology to transform potatoes and other root vegetables into a creamy taste and texture but without any artificial flavours and allergens such as dairy, nuts, soy and eggs. The technology was developed in collaboration with McCain Foods and Pilot Lite Capital. Lora Spizzirri, global chief technology officer, said: “Our patented technology truly delivers a creamy and smooth ingredient base so we can create dairy and nut-free versions of consumers favourite foods, like cooking sauces, dips and cheese spreads, making it easy for them to easily upgrade their food choices, but with no sacrifice to taste or texture.” The brand will be unveiling its full range of products at the Lunch! trade show taking place at the ExCel London on 23-24 September. A full product launch is expected nationwide across the UK later this year. #McCainFoods #plantbased #TheSimpleRoot #UK

UK pulses and grains brand Merchant Gourmet has announced the launch of its new range of easy vegan jars, named Plant Jars. The ready-to-eat range comes in three variations – Rich Puy Lentil Bolognese with Porcini Mushrooms, Spicy Lentil Chilli with Black Beans & Corn, and Fragrant Lentil Madras Curry with Chickpeas & Squash. Each jar is designed to provide convenient meals without meat that can be added to rice, pasta or eaten on its own. They can either be microwaved or heated up on the hob. Richard Peake, managing director at Merchant Gourmet, commented: “We are incredibly proud to be launching a unique and disruptive plant-based ready-meal concept to market. Plant Jars marks an exciting new chapter for Merchant Gourmet as we expand our plant-based portfolio even further.” “The new range strengthens our position within the plant-based category, showing our commitment to create simple, great-tasting products that continue to excite shoppers. We want to make plant-based food accessible, convenient and simple so that more people are inspired to eat more plants and feel better. Quick, delicious and ready in minutes, our Plant Jars are made using the best quality ingredients that are not only better for our health, but also for the planet.” The glass jars are fully recyclable and reusable with a unique lid commissioned by London-based artist, Rose Electra Harris. The range will be available in Waitrose from 20 September with an RRP of £3.50 per 330g. Further roll-out is expected in Sainsbury’s and Ocado from October. #MerchantGourmet #plantbased #UK