Functional beverage brand Moju has launched a new plant-based prebiotic shot, which it claims supports immune and digestive health. The product is available as a 500ml dosing bottle and as 60ml shot. Designed to be shot daily, Moju says the beverage encourages a healthier, more diverse gut microbiome. Moju’s new shot contains a blend of prebiotics and plant-based fibres, including chicory root inulin, golden kiwi and green banana. Each shot contains 3.7g of plant-fibre and offers the flavour combination of raspberry, lemon and baobab. According to a survey by Moju, over a third of people are looking to prioritise gut health in the next 12 months, highlighting the need for an accessible and convenient prebiotic. “The gut and digestive health category is a really exciting space which has the potential to have a hugely positive impact on consumers’ lives,” said Moju co-founder, Rich Goldsmith. He added: “To date it’s been driven by dairy based probiotic products, but without a diverse menu of food the good bacteria in your gut cannot thrive. We all want to eat a diet full of a wide variety of whole foods but the realities of modern life often make that challenging, so we developed the UK’s first ready to drink product with an efficacious dose of prebiotics and plant fibres in a super convenient, nutrient dense format. “It delivers big on flavour and is free-from dairy, added sugars, sweeteners, gums and preservatives which is an important and significant step forward for the category.” Moju’s new Prebiotic Shot is available online, in Waitrose stores nationwide and will be launching in Ocado at the end of March. Keep up to date with the plant-based industry by subscribing to FoodBev’s latest title, The Plant Base, launching March 2021. #guthealth #Moju #prebiotics #UK

Refrigerated bar maker Core Foods is launching a new keto-friendly line to cater for those looking for low-carb snacks. Containing 3g of net carbs per bar, the new range offers Fudgy Chocolate Brownie and Chewy Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter flavours. Sweetened with allulose, the latest additions to Core’s portfolio contain prebiotic fibre and plant-based protein. Core Keto Bars will be available for $2.99 per bar at Vons, Pavilions, Safeway and via the brand’s website, starting next month. Keep up to date with the plant-based industry by subscribing to FoodBev’s latest title, The Plant Base, launching March 2021. #CoreFoods #Keto #US

Oishii, a vertical farming startup based in New Jersey, has raised $50 million during a Series A funding round led by Sparx Group’s Mirai Creation Fund II. The funds will enable Oishii to open vertical strawberry farms in new markets, expand its flagship farm outside of Manhattan, and accelerate its investment in R&D. “Our mission is to change the way we grow food. We set out to deliver exceptionally delicious and sustainable produce,” said Oishii CEO Hiroki Koga. “We started with the strawberry – a fruit that routinely tops the dirty dozen of most pesticide-riddled crops – as it has long been considered the ‘holy grail’ of vertical farming.” “We aim to be the largest strawberry producer in the world, and this capital allows us to bring the best-tasting, healthiest berry to everyone. From there, we’ll quickly expand into new fruits and produce,” he added. Oishii is already known for its innovative farming techniques that have enabled the company to “perfect the strawberry,” while its proprietary and first-of-its-kind pollination method is conducted naturally with bees. The company’s vertical farms feature zero pesticides and produce ripe fruit all year round, using less water and land than traditional agricultural methods. “Oishii is the farm of the future,” said Sparx Group president and Group CEO Shuhei Abe. “The cultivation and pollination techniques the company has developed set them well apart from the industry, positioning Oishii to quickly revolutionise agriculture as we know it.” The company has raised a total of $55 million since its founding in 2016. #Oishii #strawberry #US #verticalfarming

Halo Top is launching a new range of oat milk ice cream tubs in the UK, each containing 400 calories or less. Replacing the brand’s current dairy-free line, which features a coconut milk base, Halo Top’s new range comes in two vegan-friendly flavours. Packed with dark chocolate chips and chewy brownie pieces, Peanut Butter Chocolate Overload features a creamy peanut butter base blended with oat milk, as well as a fudge swirl. Meanwhile, Caramel Chocolate Pretzel balances sweet and salty with caramel swirls, fudge-coated pretzels and a creamy, caramel oat milk base. Ryan Bouton, CMO of Halo Top International, said: “We’re always working to improve our recipes behind the scenes. When we tried our new oat milk formula for our plant-based tubs, we immediately knew we had created a creamier, more indulgent texture our fans would really love. “We are so excited for our fans to taste the two new flavours and enjoy another dairy-free and vegan-friendly alternative to our traditional dairy tubs.” The Halo Top Oat Milk range will be available in Tesco stores nationwide starting in mid-March. Keep up to date with the plant-based industry by subscribing to FoodBev’s latest title, The Plant Base. #Dairyalternatives #HaloTop #lowcalorie #UK

Swedish vegan brand Oatly has unveiled plans for a new plant-based dairy manufacturing site in Peterborough, marking its first UK factory. The company has partnered with food and drink capital investment firm Integrated Food Projects to build its new facility, which is expected to be completed in early 2023 and create over 200 jobs. The facility will able to produce 300 million litres of oat drink per year at launch, with the capacity to expand to 450 million litres, which Oatly says will make it one of the largest plant-based dairy factories in the world. Located in Peterborough, the factory will form part of a new end-to-end integrated supply chain in the UK – sourcing oats locally across the UK and supplying oat beverages to the UK market. The Peterborough site forms part of Oatly’s wider initiative to build factories ‘fit for the future’, with efficient use of resources and minimal negative impact on the planet. By 2029, the company aims to use 100% renewable energy and decrease its energy consumption and waste by 75% at the factory. “We look forward to supplying the UK with more oat drink – we’re even more excited to do it in a sustainable way,” said Johan Rabe, Oatly chief supply chain officer. He added: “Like everything we do at Oatly, we’ve ensured that sustainability is core to our factory planning. Everything, from the sourcing of our oats, to the production of our product range specifically designed for humans, has sustainability at the heart of it. Even as we strive to grow one of the biggest plant-based dairy factories to its full capacity, this will still be our top priority.” Matt Carr, joint-managing director at Integrated Food Projects, said: “There is a huge demand for Oatly products in the UK, and we are delighted to be working with them to deliver their vision of what a factory of the future can achieve. Sustainability is at the heart of Oatly’s business and helping to create a new factory and UK supply chain, in line with the ethos of the Oatly brand, is vital for the successful delivery of the project.” Last July, Oatly sold a minority stake in its business for $200 million to fund its expansion and the inauguration of new production plants. Keep up to date with the plant-based industry by subscribing to FoodBev’s latest title, The Plant Base, launching March 2021. #Oatly #UK #sustainability #Oatmilk #plantbaseddairy

Meat alternatives producer Planted has raised CHF 17 million ($18.3 million approx.) in a Series A financing round. Planted, a spin-off from public research university ETH Zurich, will use the funds to support its international expansion and bolster its research and development (R&D) platform. The plant-based meat company’s Series A round was co-led by Blue Horizon Ventures and Vorwerk Ventures, which were joined by Swiss footballer Yann Sommer and a number of existing investors. Michael Kleindl, founder and managing partner of Blue Horizon Ventures, will join the Planted board. Planted – which was founded in 2019 – is said to be committed to using only 100% natural ingredients across its portfolio. The brand’s product ranges, each consisting of different plant protein sources, include: Planted. Chicken, Planted. Pulled, and Planted. Kebab. The company’s products are currently sold through retailers in Switzerland, Germany and Austria, as well as via its online shop, while Planted also supplies hundreds of foodservice partners. “Unique aspects such as our natural, healthy, non-artificial ingredients and incredible taste make all the difference and are being valued by an increasing number of customers,” said Planted co-founder, Pascal Bieri. “We’re excited to further strengthen our international footprint with the current funding, expand our product range and extend our partner network.” The company plans to make significant investments in R&D, including continuing to develop its fermentation technologies with the aim of enhancing product structure and taste. Planted co-founder, Lukas Böni, said: “We will further invest in our structuring and fermentation platforms. Combining structuring technologies with the biochemical toolboxes of natural microorganisms will allow us to create ultimately new products with transformative character — all clean, natural, healthy and tasty.” Keep up to date with the plant-based industry by subscribing to FoodBev’s latest title, The Plant Base, launching March 2021. #BlueHorizonVentures #Planted #meatalternatives #plantbased #Switzerland

UK-based Munchy Seeds has unveiled six new sweet and savoury seed blends, which aim to provide consumers with a ‘third condiment’. The brand’s new Breakfast Boosters come in three flavours: Super Berry, Goji Berry, Chia & Cranberry Seed Mix; Totally Tropical, Coconut, Mango & Banana Seed Mix; and Cacao & Apricot, Cacao, Apricot & Date Seed Mix. The new Savoury Sprinkles collection includes three flavours: Toasted Tamari Mega Omega 7 Seed Mix; Spicy Peri Peri Chilli, Sunflower & Pumpkin Seed Mix; and Warm Cumin & Fennel Sunflower, Pumpkin & Cumin Seed Mix. A source of vitamin E, the seeds are dry roasted ‘for maximum flavour’, and are high in fibre and protein. The new range is suitable for vegans and free from gluten. “Everyone knows that seeds are good for you – they are packed with protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals – and yet they still need inspiration as to when and how to use them,” said Lucinda Clay, co-founder of Munchy Seeds. “Our new Savoury Sprinkles and Breakfast Boosters remove the guess work and give people a clear use for our delicious, flavour-packed seed mixes. “From adding to salads, soups and savoury dishes, to blending in a smoothie, using in porridge or granola, or mixing into yogurt, we’re setting out to show the nation just how easy it is to add seeds to your daily meals.” With an RRP of £2.99 for a 125g pack, all six products will launch into Ocado. Keep up to date with the plant-based industry by subscribing to FoodBev’s latest title, The Plant Base, launching March 2021. #MunchySeeds #seeds #UK

Soreen has brought back its Chocolate & Orange Spring Mini Loaves, with a vegan edition. The malt loaf brand claims that its new offering has “50% less sugar and also 64% fat that the average Easter cake bar”. Mark Simester, managing director at Soreen commented: “We have been working hard to launch a full vegan range, ensuring to retain that squidgy texture and treat-like taste that Soreen is notorious for. “The results from our taste panel sessions have been a huge success and we’re pleased to be able to offer an even wider range of vegan products this year, including our firm family favourite Chocolate & Orange Spring Mini Loaves,” he continued. Soreen’s loaves come in multipacks of five and will be available in Nisa, Iceland, B&M, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Co-Op, Spar, Morrisons and Aldi for a limited time only. RRP £1. #chocolate #Easter #Soreen #veganfriendly

US agribusiness Bunge has launched a new programme to monitor soybean crops from its indirect supply chain in the Brazilian Cerrado region, an area at high risk of deforestation. The programme aims to support grain dealers and producers by utilising monitoring systems, such as satellite and farm-scale imaging services, and fostering large-scale action in the Cerrado area to identify and track indirect purchases of soybeans. The company says it hopes to reach 100% traceability and monitoring of its indirect soybean purchases by 2025 – Bunge currently traces and monitors 30%. “We recognise the important role we can play in our industry. This unprecedented initiative is a way for Bunge to share with its supply chain the best practices we use to build value chains that are traceable and verifiable,” said Rob Coviello, Bunge’s chief sustainability officer and government affairs. “We value our partnership with dealers and producers to make our supply chains increasingly productive and sustainable and we believe that solutions at-scale and with long-term impacts are only possible when all partners in the value chain, from farmers to customers, are involved and engaged,” he continued. Through the initiative, Bunge will share its knowledge, methodologies and tools with partner dealers looking to implement or improve the social environment evaluation of their suppliers. The pilot will be carried out in collaboration with Brazilian agricultural company Agrícola Alvorada. “Bunge’s support and expertise in monitoring and tracking is critical to the overall improvement of our supply chain. It accelerated our adaptation to market demands,” Jarbas Weis, managing director of Agrícola Alvorada, added. Roberto Marcon, Bunge’s origination director, emphasised the importance of such monitoring systems: “Grain dealers play an important role in our industry by giving market access to small and medium-sized farmers. By helping them implement traceability and monitoring systems and tools, we are doing our part to contribute to the entire sector.” #AgrícolaAlvorada #monitoring #soybean #sustainability #traceability #Bunge

Califia Farms has added two new plant milks to its Barista Blends line, including an oat milk with mushroom extracts. According to Califia, its Mushroom Oat and Hemp Barista Blends were developed with professional baristas and double as creamers. The two new offerings are said to “steam and foam beautifully without sacrificing taste or quality”. With the launch, the company aims to meet the demand for functional ingredients, which were named the most important quality in plant-based alternative milks and creamers by one in five coffee drinkers in research conducted on behalf of Califia Farms. With a ‘smooth, earthy’ flavour, Mushroom Oat Barista Blend contains 3,000mg of whole Cordyceps and 2,400mg of Lion’s Mane mushrooms. Meanwhile, Hemp Barista Blend has a ‘mild, nutty’ flavour and is a source of calcium and omega-3 ALA fatty acids. “Our new Mushroom Oat and Hemp Barista Blends have the creaminess and consistency that elevate the at-home coffee experience with the added benefits of functional ingredients,” said Suzanne Ginestro, chief marketing officer at Califia Farms. With an MSRP of $5.99, Mushroom Oat Barista Blend and Hemp Barista Blend are available in the US at retailers including Whole Foods. Last year, Califia Farms expanded its portfolio of oat-based drinks and creamers, with the launch of its Protein Oat line. Keep up to date with the plant-based industry by subscribing to FoodBev’s latest title, The Plant Base, launching March 2021. #CalifiaFarms #Dairyalternatives #plantbased #US

Lactalis-owned Siggi’s has announced the launch of a new lower sugar yogurt line, as well as range of plant-based probiotic drinks. Siggi’s claims that its 2% low-fat yogurts contain 50% less sugar than the leading Greek yogurt, with 2-8g of sugar per serving. Made with no artificial sweeteners, the reduced sugar line comes in 5.3oz cups of blueberry, vanilla, mixed berries, strawberry, key lime, coconut, black cherry, vanilla & cinnamon and seasonal spiced apple. 24oz cups of plain and vanilla varieties are also available, as well as packs of four in vanilla, strawberry and mixed berries flavours. The brand has also released a line of plant-based probiotic coconut drinks in strawberry, peach and vanilla varieties. Each drink provides 8g of protein and 7g of sugar per serving. Siggi’s coconut drinks joins the brand’s existing plant-based line, which first launched in December 2019 with yogurts made using a proprietary blend of coconut, macadamia and pea protein. The brand has also launched a larger 24oz vanilla yogurt tub. “At Siggi’s, we believe in using real fruit in our products instead of artificial flavours and sweeteners. We are proud to introduce a new product line with even lower sugar to further reinforce our mission of pushing sugar levels in yogurts lower,” said Siggi’s founder, Siggi Hilmarsson. Siggi’s new lower sugar yogurt line and plant-based additions are available now at US retailers nationwide. Keep up to date with the plant-based industry by subscribing to FoodBev’s latest title, The Plant Base, launching March 2021. #Lactalis #US #yogurt #reducedsugar #probiotics #plantbased #Siggis

Due to the ever-evolving coronavirus situation, the Plant Based World Europe Conference & Expo will now be postponed to October 2021. In a move that prioritises the safety, comfort and confidence of the attendees, PBW Europe feel that these months will prove crucial in the delivery of a safe show. Jonathan Morley, Managing Director of Plant Based Global, said: “The move is welcomed and supported by everyone in the plant-based sector and the wider food industry. The new show dates will allow millions more people to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and only builds further anticipation for the in-person events we all miss so much, which will showcase the latest and greatest plant-based products. We all want to reconnect in person with our suppliers, buyers, guests, investors, friends, and colleagues – and meet new contacts. To do that with confidence and respect for everyone’s safety is paramount.” We want to assure you that the World Plant-Based Taste Awards 2021 will still be taking place. The awards will still be held at the PBW Europe Conference & Expo, at the Business Design Centre in London, on the new dates: 15-16 October 2021. Our awards team are committed to ensuring our entrants the best opportunity to showcase taste in the pant-based industry and celebrate their successes with a live tasting event and awards ceremony. With that in mind, the deadline for entries into the World Plant-Based Taste Awards will be extended to the new date of Friday 20 August 2021, which means there is still plenty of time to get your entries in. As one of the first of its kind in this sector, these awards are a fantastic way for you to enhance the promotion of your plant-based brand and to ensure it gains global recognition. New ceremony date: 15-16 October 2021 New deadline date: 20 August 2021 If you have any questions or queries regarding the awards and the postponement please do not hesitate to get in touch with our awards team: awards@foodbev.com Our awards team are working from home and can be reached via LiveChat or email to answer any questions. #plantbased #WorldPlantBasedTasteAwards #WorldPlantBasedTasteAwards2021