US beverage brand Koia is launching a new ready-to-drink smoothie line that it claims has the lowest sugar and net carbs on the market. According to Koia, its range of plant-based smoothies contain 80% less sugar than the leading fruit smoothie brands. The new line comes in four flavours: magic mango, rise & shine, straw-nana dream, and tropical passion. With no added sugar, the dairy-free smoothies also contain prebiotic fibre to help aid digestion, and a whole coconut, a source of potassium. Each flavour also features a blend of pea protein, ranging between 4-5g of protein per bottle. The new range will be available in Whole Foods across the US.

US beverage brand Koia is launching a new ready-to-drink smoothie line that it claims has the lowest sugar and net carbs on the market. According to Koia, its range of plant-based smoothies contain 80% less sugar than the leading fruit smoothie brands. The new line comes in four flavours: magic mango, rise & shine, straw-nana dream, and tropical passion. With no added sugar, the dairy-free smoothies also contain prebiotic fibre to help aid digestion, and a whole coconut, a source of potassium. Each flavour also features a blend of pea protein, ranging between 4-5g of protein per bottle. The new range will be available in Whole Foods across the US. #Koia #lowsugar #smoothies #US

Whitworths has entered the ready meal category with the launch of a range of ambient pouches, Protein By Nature. Suitable for vegans, each 250g pack contains 20g of plant protein from pulses and grains such as pinto beans, quinoa, lentils and wheatberries. The range is available in four variants: Brazilian smoky beans, Moroccan grains, Indian lentil dhal and Mexican spicy grains. The pouches can be prepared in two minutes in the microwave or on the hob, and consumed as a main for one or side for two. Whitworths says that the range is low in sugar and saturated fat, offers all nine essential amino acids and is free from additives and flavourings. “With huge consumer trends around natural protein and meat reduction we have seen a real opportunity to better utilise beans, pulses and grains to meet consumers' needs,” said Whitworths commercial director, Phil Gowland. “The Protein By Nature product is a nutrient powerhouse, being 100% natural, high in protein and fibre, low in salt and sugar and rich in vitamins and minerals. “It was clear from speaking to consumers that we needed to overcome three clear barriers: offer genuine ‘good for you’ products rather than a product masquerading as healthy, don’t compromise on taste - the biggest barrier to healthy eating, and keep it simple and convenient. “Delivering products that do this is exactly what the Whitworths brand has been doing in snacking for the past few years; our wide recognition and unrivalled brand trust made this move an obvious one for us.” With an RRP of £2.00 per pouch, the range is available in select Morrisons stores and three of the variants will be rolling out to select Tesco stores from 9 November.

Whitworths has entered the ready meal category with the launch of a range of ambient pouches, Protein By Nature. Suitable for vegans, each 250g pack contains 20g of plant protein from pulses and grains such as pinto beans, quinoa, lentils and wheatberries. The range is available in four variants: Brazilian smoky beans, Moroccan grains, Indian lentil dhal and Mexican spicy grains. The pouches can be prepared in two minutes in the microwave or on the hob, and consumed as a main for one or side for two. Whitworths says that the range is low in sugar and saturated fat, offers all nine essential amino acids and is free from additives and flavourings. “With huge consumer trends around natural protein and meat reduction we have seen a real opportunity to better utilise beans, pulses and grains to meet consumers’ needs,” said Whitworths commercial director, Phil Gowland. “The Protein By Nature product is a nutrient powerhouse, being 100% natural, high in protein and fibre, low in salt and sugar and rich in vitamins and minerals. “It was clear from speaking to consumers that we needed to overcome three clear barriers: offer genuine ‘good for you’ products rather than a product masquerading as healthy, don’t compromise on taste – the biggest barrier to healthy eating, and keep it simple and convenient. “Delivering products that do this is exactly what the Whitworths brand has been doing in snacking for the past few years; our wide recognition and unrivalled brand trust made this move an obvious one for us.” With an RRP of £2.00 per pouch, the range is available in select Morrisons stores and three of the variants will be rolling out to select Tesco stores from 9 November. #plantprotein #UK #Whitworths

Australian plant-based brand Fable Food Co has launched a range of ready meals made with its plant-based braised beef product. Fable’s plant-based braised beef is made with minimally processed shiitake mushrooms and all-natural plant-based ingredients. It is described as having a slow-braised meat texture that “looks, cooks and tastes like slow cooked pulled meats”. The vegan braised beef has been used to create three microwavable ready meals: stroganoff, rogan josh, and chilli con carne. Each ready meal serves one and are available to purchase at Woolworths stores across Australia. The roll out of the brand's ready meals comes at the same time as Fable secured a deal with Coles to see its plant-based braised beef launch into the store, four months after it hit over 600 Woolworths shelves. The meat alternative brand – which is backed by celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal – aims to meet demand as more Australians adopt plant-based or flexitarian diets. “We want to show Aussies that plant-based proteins can be as delicious as meat and help make it easier for people to make more sustainable food choices without compromising on taste or quality,” said Michael Fox, co-founder and CEO of Fable.

Australian plant-based brand Fable Food Co has launched a range of ready meals made with its plant-based braised beef product. Fable’s plant-based braised beef is made with minimally processed shiitake mushrooms and all-natural plant-based ingredients. It is described as having a slow-braised meat texture that “looks, cooks and tastes like slow cooked pulled meats”. The vegan braised beef has been used to create three microwavable ready meals: stroganoff, rogan josh, and chilli con carne. Each ready meal serves one and are available to purchase at Woolworths stores across Australia. The roll out of the brand’s ready meals comes at the same time as Fable secured a deal with Coles to see its plant-based braised beef launch into the store, four months after it hit over 600 Woolworths shelves. The meat alternative brand – which is backed by celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal – aims to meet demand as more Australians adopt plant-based or flexitarian diets. “We want to show Aussies that plant-based proteins can be as delicious as meat and help make it easier for people to make more sustainable food choices without compromising on taste or quality,” said Michael Fox, co-founder and CEO of Fable. #Australia #Fable #meatalternatives #plantbasedmeat

Organic food and drink producer, Wessanen UK, has expanded its Kallø range with the introduction of two new flavours of plant-based stock cubes. The new umami and sriracha flavours join the existing mushroom and garlic & herb variants in the brand’s portfolio of organic vegan stock cubes. Sold in packs of six stock cube portions, Kallø’s latest offerings are free from added artificial preservatives, colourings or flavourings. Wessanen says that Kallø’s stock cube sales were boosted by the ‘surge’ in scratch cooking during the first phase of lockdown. According to data from Kantar Worldpanel for the 52 weeks ending September 2020, supplied by Wessanen, sales were up 22% year-over-year. “We are seeing significant growth in the flexitarian market, with 86% of plant-based meals eaten by non-vegans,” said Wessanen UK marketing and category director, Bryan Martins. “There is nothing quite like our umami and sriracha stocks on shelves at the moment, and the natural ingredients list will appeal to the ever-growing number of health-conscious customers.” Both the new flavours are available, with an RRP of £1.20 per 66g pack, from Tesco, with further listings in Sainsbury’s and Waitrose for organic umami. Earlier this year, Wessanen UK introduced protein-packed veggie cakes in two flavours to the Kallø portfolio. #Kallø #UK #WessanenUK

Organic food and drink producer, Wessanen UK, has expanded its Kallø range with the introduction of two new flavours of plant-based stock cubes. The new umami and sriracha flavours join the existing mushroom and garlic & herb variants in the brand’s portfolio of organic vegan stock cubes. Sold in packs of six stock cube portions, Kallø’s latest offerings are free from added artificial preservatives, colourings or flavourings. Wessanen says that Kallø’s stock cube sales were boosted by the ‘surge’ in scratch cooking during the first phase of lockdown. According to data from Kantar Worldpanel for the 52 weeks ending September 2020, supplied by Wessanen, sales were up 22% year-over-year. “We are seeing significant growth in the flexitarian market, with 86% of plant-based meals eaten by non-vegans,” said Wessanen UK marketing and category director, Bryan Martins. “There is nothing quite like our umami and sriracha stocks on shelves at the moment, and the natural ingredients list will appeal to the ever-growing number of health-conscious customers.” Both the new flavours are available, with an RRP of £1.20 per 66g pack, from Tesco, with further listings in Sainsbury’s and Waitrose for organic umami. Earlier this year, Wessanen UK introduced protein-packed veggie cakes in two flavours to the Kallø portfolio.

Califia Farms has launched a new long-life oat drink exclusively in the UK market, as it aims to encourage consumers to make the switch from dairy milk and reduce their environmental ‘foodprint’. The vegan beverage is soy-free and made with whole rolled oats, without any sugar. It also contains added calcium and vitamin D, in an effort to appeal to health-conscious consumers. Califia Farms is encouraging consumers to be more experimental with their plant-based milk and suggests that its newest drink is used not only in tea and coffee, but as an ingredient in breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes. “Shoppers have more choice than ever when it comes to selecting which dairy-free milk alternative to add to their basket, which is why we are encouraging them to demand more from their oat and get the most of this astoundingly efficient grain,” said Lauren Visagie, UK marketing manager at Califia Farms. She added: “The trend towards a plant-based diet is showing no signs of slowing and having built a loyal customer base with the rest of our range, our new Oat Drink is designed to excite consumers with its new-found versatility.” The unsweetened oat drink joins the US brand’s range of plant-based drinks that are available in the UK such as its oat barista blend, flavoured almond beverages, and range of cold brew coffee. The new oat drink is available now in Sainsbury’s for £2 per litre carton. #CalifiaFarms #UK #vegan #dairyfree #Oatmilk

Califia Farms has launched a new long-life oat drink exclusively in the UK market, as it aims to encourage consumers to make the switch from dairy milk and reduce their environmental ‘foodprint’. The vegan beverage is soy-free and made with whole rolled oats, without any sugar. It also contains added calcium and vitamin D, in an effort to appeal to health-conscious consumers. Califia Farms is encouraging consumers to be more experimental with their plant-based milk and suggests that its newest drink is used not only in tea and coffee, but as an ingredient in breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes. “Shoppers have more choice than ever when it comes to selecting which dairy-free milk alternative to add to their basket, which is why we are encouraging them to demand more from their oat and get the most of this astoundingly efficient grain,” said Lauren Visagie, UK marketing manager at Califia Farms. She added: “The trend towards a plant-based diet is showing no signs of slowing and having built a loyal customer base with the rest of our range, our new Oat Drink is designed to excite consumers with its new-found versatility.” The unsweetened oat drink joins the US brand’s range of plant-based drinks that are available in the UK such as its oat barista blend, flavoured almond beverages, and range of cold brew coffee. The new oat drink is available now in Sainsbury’s for £2 per litre carton.

Meati Foods has raised $28 million in a Series A funding round to scale up production of its plant-based meat product. Colorado-based Meati uses an edible type of mycelium – the thread-like vegetative component of fungi – to make its meat alternative product. 3oz of Meati meat reportedly offers 16g of complete protein, is a source of fibre and contains essential vitamins and minerals. Meati claims that the mycelium – which it cultivates in-house – is ‘extremely’ resource efficient, resulting in cost savings that will in the future enable Meati to reach price parity with conventional animal meat. The company’s Series A round was led by Acre Venture Partners and included investments from Prelude Ventures, Congruent Ventures, Tao Capital and others. Meati’s latest financing push was also backed by Once Upon A Farm CEO, John Foraker, as well as Sweetgreen co-founders, Nicolas Jammet and Jonathan Neman. The company says that it will use the funds to expand its production capacity, including with the construction of a new facility and through hiring more staff. This in turn will support commercial collaborations across retail and foodservice. “For years we have looked for an alternative meat that is as nutritious as it is sustainable. With Meati, there is no need to compromise,” said Lucas Mann, managing partner at Acre. “The company has attracted a uniquely experienced syndicate of investors to help Meati get to market in a significant way.” Meati Foods CEO and co-founder, Tyler Huggins, added: “We started Meati Foods to deliver nutrient-rich, energising food in an enjoyable and familiar way, while also diversifying our food system with an offering that reduces costs to people and our environment.”

Meati Foods has raised $28 million in a Series A funding round to scale up production of its plant-based meat product. Colorado-based Meati uses an edible type of mycelium – the thread-like vegetative component of fungi – to make its meat alternative product. 3oz of Meati meat reportedly offers 16g of complete protein, is a source of fibre and contains essential vitamins and minerals. Meati claims that the mycelium – which it cultivates in-house – is ‘extremely’ resource efficient, resulting in cost savings that will in the future enable Meati to reach price parity with conventional animal meat. The company’s Series A round was led by Acre Venture Partners and included investments from Prelude Ventures, Congruent Ventures, Tao Capital and others. Meati’s latest financing push was also backed by Once Upon A Farm CEO, John Foraker, as well as Sweetgreen co-founders, Nicolas Jammet and Jonathan Neman. The company says that it will use the funds to expand its production capacity, including with the construction of a new facility and through hiring more staff. This in turn will support commercial collaborations across retail and foodservice. “For years we have looked for an alternative meat that is as nutritious as it is sustainable. With Meati, there is no need to compromise,” said Lucas Mann, managing partner at Acre. “The company has attracted a uniquely experienced syndicate of investors to help Meati get to market in a significant way.” Meati Foods CEO and co-founder, Tyler Huggins, added: “We started Meati Foods to deliver nutrient-rich, energising food in an enjoyable and familiar way, while also diversifying our food system with an offering that reduces costs to people and our environment.” #meatalternatives #MeatiFoods #US