Upfield Group has debuted a new plant-based butter brand in the US, with the launch of Flora Plant Butter. Available in salted and unsalted varieties, Flora Plant Butter is free from gluten and non-GMO, as well as vegan. Upfield’s latest plant-based offering is made from a blend of ‘responsibly sourced’ palm, sunflower and canola oils and reportedly contains no artificial flavours or preservatives. The ‘rich and creamy’ product can be used like dairy butter 1:1 in cooking and baking, or for spreading, and is packaged in plastic-free FSC-certified parchment paper. “Flora is a culinary-inspired premium brand that brings a rich heritage of chef experience from markets around the world, and it is a thrill to bring this new brand to American consumers,” said Bernice Chao, brand lead, Flora, Upfield North America. “We are a product loved by chefs that can be used by home cooks and bakers who are looking to put a twist on traditional recipes with a dairy-free and great-tasting ingredient. “We are deeply passionate about creating new foods that will change our world because they are better for you and better for our planet. With Flora Plant Butter we have done just that. “First, as a plant butter that is a vegan and non-dairy product that offers a suitable option to help consumers meet their dietary or lifestyle needs. Second, as an environmentally conscious brand that is leading the way with 100% plastic-free paper packaging.” Flora Plant Butter is available, for an RRP of $3.49 per 8.8oz pack, from select Kroger stores. Earlier this year, Upfield Group unveiled plans to invest €50 million in a new plant-based research and development (R&D) facility, which will be located in Wageningen, the Netherlands. #Flora #UpfieldGroup #US

Upfield Group has debuted a new plant-based butter brand in the US, with the launch of Flora Plant Butter. Available in salted and unsalted varieties, Flora Plant Butter is free from gluten and non-GMO, as well as vegan. Upfield’s latest plant-based offering is made from a blend of ‘responsibly sourced’ palm, sunflower and canola oils and reportedly contains no artificial flavours or preservatives. The ‘rich and creamy’ product can be used like dairy butter 1:1 in cooking and baking, or for spreading, and is packaged in plastic-free FSC-certified parchment paper. “Flora is a culinary-inspired premium brand that brings a rich heritage of chef experience from markets around the world, and it is a thrill to bring this new brand to American consumers,” said Bernice Chao, brand lead, Flora, Upfield North America. “We are a product loved by chefs that can be used by home cooks and bakers who are looking to put a twist on traditional recipes with a dairy-free and great-tasting ingredient. “We are deeply passionate about creating new foods that will change our world because they are better for you and better for our planet. With Flora Plant Butter we have done just that. “First, as a plant butter that is a vegan and non-dairy product that offers a suitable option to help consumers meet their dietary or lifestyle needs. Second, as an environmentally conscious brand that is leading the way with 100% plastic-free paper packaging.” Flora Plant Butter is available, for an RRP of $3.49 per 8.8oz pack, from select Kroger stores. Earlier this year, Upfield Group unveiled plans to invest €50 million in a new plant-based research and development (R&D) facility, which will be located in Wageningen, the Netherlands.

UK free-from brand Livia’s has raised £1 million in a funding round, prior to the campaign’s public launch on crowdfunding platform Seedrs today. The round is said to have already attracted over 400 new investors, as well as met its £1 million investment target, and will now continue into overfunding. According to Livia’s, the new funds will help the brand to launch new products, develop its direct-to-consumer platform, grow its marketing and sales teams, and scale its operations. Livia’s offers a range of cookies, dips, and other ‘treats’ catering for those with allergies and intolerances. Lest year, Livia’s unveiled a new brand positioning, created in response to growing consumer demand for better-for-you indulgence, as well as to appeal to a more mainstream audience. As part of this, strong visuals and brighter graphics were introduced to create greater stand out on shelf. Commenting on the brand’s latest funding push, founder and CEO Olivia Wollenberg said: “I’ve always wanted to bring our customers and community on board as we continue to grow. “From day one, our community has been at the heart of everything we do, and every decision we make, and now is the time for them to be involved in a more meaningful way. “With this raise, we will be able to accelerate our growth in the UK and beyond while continuing to revolutionise sweet snacking through product innovation.” Among the private investors backing the brand are Andy Weston-Webb, who was previously president at Mars, and Vegetarian Butcher founder Jaap Korteweg. “Livia’s combination of fabulous tasting free-from sweet treats with a genuinely values-led business rightly has a passionate consumer following,” said new investor and advisor, Weston-Webb “The growth to date has been impressive enough to capture the attention of the UK’s key retailers. Still, the brand has huge headroom with store expansion, further exciting innovation and by building on the existing fanbase. I’m looking forward to helping Olivia and her impressive team further unlock this.” By 2025, the brand aims to be distributed throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US, as well as to almost quadruple its product range. #freefrom #Livias #UK

UK free-from brand Livia’s has raised £1 million in a funding round, prior to the campaign's public launch on crowdfunding platform Seedrs today. The round is said to have already attracted over 400 new investors, as well as met its £1 million investment target, and will now continue into overfunding. According to Livia’s, the new funds will help the brand to launch new products, develop its direct-to-consumer platform, grow its marketing and sales teams, and scale its operations. Livia’s offers a range of cookies, dips, and other ‘treats’ catering for those with allergies and intolerances. Lest year, Livia’s unveiled a new brand positioning, created in response to growing consumer demand for better-for-you indulgence, as well as to appeal to a more mainstream audience. As part of this, strong visuals and brighter graphics were introduced to create greater stand out on shelf. Commenting on the brand's latest funding push, founder and CEO Olivia Wollenberg said: “I've always wanted to bring our customers and community on board as we continue to grow. “From day one, our community has been at the heart of everything we do, and every decision we make, and now is the time for them to be involved in a more meaningful way. “With this raise, we will be able to accelerate our growth in the UK and beyond while continuing to revolutionise sweet snacking through product innovation." Among the private investors backing the brand are Andy Weston-Webb, who was previously president at Mars, and Vegetarian Butcher founder Jaap Korteweg. "Livia’s combination of fabulous tasting free-from sweet treats with a genuinely values-led business rightly has a passionate consumer following,” said new investor and advisor, Weston-Webb “The growth to date has been impressive enough to capture the attention of the UK’s key retailers. Still, the brand has huge headroom with store expansion, further exciting innovation and by building on the existing fanbase. I’m looking forward to helping Olivia and her impressive team further unlock this.” By 2025, the brand aims to be distributed throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US, as well as to almost quadruple its product range.

Keytone Dairy has launched a new vegan protein shake range in Australia, in an effort to meet growing demand for plant-based health products. Tonik Plant follows the successful roll-out of the company’s Tonik dairy protein shake brand. The RTDs are made from a blend of pea protein and brown rice protein and are available in six flavours: vanilla, salted caramel, coffee, chocolate, banana toffee and choc honeycomb. Each 330ml bottle contains 20g of protein, is low carb and gluten-free. Keytone Dairy CEO Danny Rotman said: “We are extremely excited to launch Tonik Plant and have been overwhelmed with the positive feedback and reception received from our customers, wholesalers and distributors in relation to Australia’s first vegan-based protein shake. “There are a number of ongoing discussions for ranging opportunities for Tonik Plant which will further drive the Tonik brand and Tonik Plant in the near future. The success of the Tonik brand speaks to our ability as a vertically integrated brand owner and manufacturer, offering the company enhanced margin opportunities and speed to market.” The Tonik Plant line-up is currently available currently from independent supermarkets across the nation with a further roll-out planned. Keytone Dairy also announced that it had received its largest order – more than $1.1 million – from Walmart China for its private label milk powders under the Sam’s Club brand. In addition, the company has recently launched its direct-to-consumer milk powders website for the sale of its KeyDairy Whole and Skim Milk Powders. #Australia #KeytoneDairy #plantbaseddairy #plantbasedprotein

Keytone Dairy has launched a new vegan protein shake range in Australia, in an effort to meet growing demand for plant-based health products. Tonik Plant follows the successful roll-out of the company’s Tonik dairy protein shake brand. The RTDs are made from a blend of pea protein and brown rice protein and are available in six flavours: vanilla, salted caramel, coffee, chocolate, banana toffee and choc honeycomb. Each 330ml bottle contains 20g of protein, is low carb and gluten-free. Keytone Dairy CEO Danny Rotman said: “We are extremely excited to launch Tonik Plant and have been overwhelmed with the positive feedback and reception received from our customers, wholesalers and distributors in relation to Australia’s first vegan-based protein shake. “There are a number of ongoing discussions for ranging opportunities for Tonik Plant which will further drive the Tonik brand and Tonik Plant in the near future. The success of the Tonik brand speaks to our ability as a vertically integrated brand owner and manufacturer, offering the company enhanced margin opportunities and speed to market.” The Tonik Plant line-up is currently available currently from independent supermarkets across the nation with a further roll-out planned. Keytone Dairy also announced that it had received its largest order - more than $1.1 million - from Walmart China for its private label milk powders under the Sam’s Club brand. In addition, the company has recently launched its direct-to-consumer milk powders website for the sale of its KeyDairy Whole and Skim Milk Powders.

Plant-based brand Alpro has expanded its Big Pot range in the UK with the addition of a 100% oat-based yogurt alternative. According to Alpro, Absolutely Oat is a source of fibre and is naturally low in sugars and fat. It is also said to contain natural cultures. “Oat drinks are now a firm favourite amongst consumers, with oat on track to become the number one ingredient in plant-based drinks by the end of 2020,” says David Jiscoot, marketing director for Alpro UK & Ireland. “Naturally, this means that there’s a huge opportunity to mirror this success in the yogurt aisle and, as the clear and consistent category leader, Alpro is uniquely placed to make this happen. “As well as being rich in fibre, Alpro Absolutely Oat is made from 100% European oats, so we are confident it will appeal to people looking for new ways to enjoy healthy, sustainable oat-based products in their diets. It’s the ideal choice for a delicious, nutritious breakfast – or to enjoy as a snack in the afternoon.” Alpro Absolutely Oat is available, for a MRSP of £1.99 per 350g pot, from Tesco stores nationwide. The brand also offers a range of plant-based milk alternatives, chilled coffee drinks, dairy-free desserts and ice cream in the UK. #Alpro #UK

Plant-based brand Alpro has expanded its Big Pot range in the UK with the addition of a 100% oat-based yogurt alternative. According to Alpro, Absolutely Oat is a source of fibre and is naturally low in sugars and fat. It is also said to contain natural cultures. “Oat drinks are now a firm favourite amongst consumers, with oat on track to become the number one ingredient in plant-based drinks by the end of 2020,” says David Jiscoot, marketing director for Alpro UK & Ireland. “Naturally, this means that there’s a huge opportunity to mirror this success in the yogurt aisle and, as the clear and consistent category leader, Alpro is uniquely placed to make this happen. “As well as being rich in fibre, Alpro Absolutely Oat is made from 100% European oats, so we are confident it will appeal to people looking for new ways to enjoy healthy, sustainable oat-based products in their diets. It’s the ideal choice for a delicious, nutritious breakfast – or to enjoy as a snack in the afternoon.” Alpro Absolutely Oat is available, for a MRSP of £1.99 per 350g pot, from Tesco stores nationwide. The brand also offers a range of plant-based milk alternatives, chilled coffee drinks, dairy-free desserts and ice cream in the UK.

Plant-based food start-up The Real Foodists has launched into the UK market after securing a $2.5 million investment from Müller and Bel Group. The Real Foodists has entered the UK market with Yo’ridge, a range of ready-to-eat breakfast pots that blend dairy-free yogurt, porridge and bio-live cultures. It plans to use the capital to fund its global expansion. The start-up is part of Yofix Probiotics, an Israeli plant-based start-up which launched a dairy-free yogurt line with probiotic cultures under its Only brand in January. Yo’ridge similarly adds prebiotics and probiotics to its natural ingredients to support gut health. It is made from a blend of oats, lentils, sesame and coconut and combined with maple syrup and fruit. The chilled breakfast pots are available in three varieties: Banana, Maple & Cocoa Nibs; Apple, Cranberry & Cinnamon and Blueberries, Raspberries & Blackcurrants. According to The Real Foodists, its plant-based range is free-from soya and refined sugar. It also boasts a clean label with no additives, thickeners, emulsifiers, added preservatives, or GMO ingredients. “Our innovative and completely natural, plant-based food and drink will meet growing demand for products of this nature in Britain and we are confident that our first launch, our Yo’ridge range, will be very popular in the country,” said Steve Grun, CEO of The Real Foodists. He added: “Yo’ridge is the first product of its kind in the UK. A plant-based range of ‘yo’gurty’ porridge on-the-go pots that are filled with bio-live cultures and will provide Brits with a completely unique option for breakfast.”

Winterbotham Darby has transformed one of its sites into a dedicated plant-based manufacturing facility, following a multi-million-pound investment. The company says that the refit, which is set to be completed this month, will support its growth into the plant-based market. Winterbotham Darby distributes Dutch meat alternatives brand Vivera in the UK and in 2019, launched its own ‘dirty vegan brand’, Squeaky Bean. Squeaky bean offers products such as kievs, nuggets and ‘fishless fingers’, and recently unveiled a ready-to-eat chickpea-based tortilla, as an alternative to the classic Spanish egg dish. The refit is taking place at the company’s Winterbotham Darby (Bicester) site, which is also changing its name from Alatoni following a corporate brand review. The company’s other manufacturing site, Deli Solutions, will now be known as Winterbotham Darby (Clitheroe). The chilled food manufacturer has also announced that it is launching a new corporate look and feel following the review, as it diversifies into new categories. The new identity will begin to appear over the coming weeks and months and will include an updated logo, as well as a range of new colours, typography and imagery. “This new refreshed look and feel reflects our position at the forefront of innovation in the chilled market and the growth in our chilled plant-based range,” said the company’s CEO, Steven Higginson. “As the retail landscape continues to evolve, we believe our branding decisions will help us future-proof our business as we continue to grow, develop and expand.” #SqueakyBean #UK #Vivera #WinterbothamDarby

Winterbotham Darby has transformed one of its sites into a dedicated plant-based manufacturing facility, following a multi-million-pound investment. The company says that the refit, which is set to be completed this month, will support its growth into the plant-based market. Winterbotham Darby distributes Dutch meat alternatives brand Vivera in the UK and in 2019, launched its own ‘dirty vegan brand’, Squeaky Bean. Squeaky bean offers products such as kievs, nuggets and ‘fishless fingers’, and recently unveiled a ready-to-eat chickpea-based tortilla, as an alternative to the classic Spanish egg dish. The refit is taking place at the company’s Winterbotham Darby (Bicester) site, which is also changing its name from Alatoni following a corporate brand review. The company’s other manufacturing site, Deli Solutions, will now be known as Winterbotham Darby (Clitheroe). The chilled food manufacturer has also announced that it is launching a new corporate look and feel following the review, as it diversifies into new categories. The new identity will begin to appear over the coming weeks and months and will include an updated logo, as well as a range of new colours, typography and imagery. “This new refreshed look and feel reflects our position at the forefront of innovation in the chilled market and the growth in our chilled plant-based range,” said the company’s CEO, Steven Higginson. “As the retail landscape continues to evolve, we believe our branding decisions will help us future-proof our business as we continue to grow, develop and expand.”

Unilever is partnering with Algenuity, a start-up specialised in developing microalgae for use in consumer products, as it looks to innovate in its plant-based portfolio. Biotech company Algenuity will work with the research and development team within Unilever’s Foods and Refreshment (F&R) division to explore ways of bringing foods made with microalgae to market. According to Algenuity, the high chlorophyll content of chlorella vulgaris, a nutrient-rich microalgae, can make it a challenging ingredient to work with. As well as a strong green colour, chlorophyll also gives the plants a bitter taste and smell. In its Chlorella Colours palette, Algenuity is said to have developed a technology that significantly reduces the chlorophyll content of microalgae while allowing them to retain their natural nutrients. This reportedly opens up ‘a wealth’ of potential applications for microalgae, as a sustainable source of protein and fibre, in the food and beverage sector. “Microalgae offer much untapped potential as a viable, climate-friendly protein alternative,” said Alejandro Amezquita, future bio-based ingredients R&D director, Unilever F&R. “They have a significant part to play in food system transformation. We are very much looking forward to working with Algenuity to explore the possibilities of making foods that contain microalgae more mainstream.” Andrew Spicer, CEO and founder of Algenuity, added: “We are delighted to partner with Unilever on this. Our Chlorella Colours platform provides plant-based ingredients that are sustainable, natural, non-GM and protein rich with neutral flavours. “They are also vegan-friendly making them extremely relevant for today’s growing consumer appetite for more plant-based foods with additional functional benefits.” #Algenuity #microalgae #Unilever