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

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.”

UK brand Gosh! Food has announced that it is investing £5 million in a new manufacturing facility, as it seeks to grow its vegan and free-from food operation. The Milton Keynes-based company says that it plans to open its second factory early in 2021, with up to 25 new manufacturing jobs expected to be created. Like the brand’s existing production site, the new 17,000 square foot facility will be completely allergen-free. According to Gosh! Food, the second site will provide it with the opportunity to expand its offering and to move into new categories, as well as help it to meet consumer demand. “We believe strongly that food should be as natural as possible and have a brand that prides itself on offering high-quality, great-tasting and perfectly natural products,” said Gosh! Food CEO, Jane Rayner. “With 45% of grocery shoppers either following or considering a plant-based diet, demand for plant-based products has grown significantly. We look forward to being able to continue to grow our capacity to meet demand and support retailers in improving the way we eat. “We’re also excited about the opportunities that expanding to a second site presents in creating new jobs in an exceptionally difficult economic time.” Gosh! Food has also appointed Jahangir Khan, former innovation and category controller at Charlie Bigham’s, as its first senior category manager. #GoshFood #UK

UK brand Gosh! Food has announced that it is investing £5 million in a new manufacturing facility, as it seeks to grow its vegan and free-from food operation. The Milton Keynes-based company says that it plans to open its second factory early in 2021, with up to 25 new manufacturing jobs expected to be created. Like the brand's existing production site, the new 17,000 square foot facility will be completely allergen-free. According to Gosh! Food, the second site will provide it with the opportunity to expand its offering and to move into new categories, as well as help it to meet consumer demand. “We believe strongly that food should be as natural as possible and have a brand that prides itself on offering high-quality, great-tasting and perfectly natural products,” said Gosh! Food CEO, Jane Rayner. “With 45% of grocery shoppers either following or considering a plant-based diet, demand for plant-based products has grown significantly. We look forward to being able to continue to grow our capacity to meet demand and support retailers in improving the way we eat. “We’re also excited about the opportunities that expanding to a second site presents in creating new jobs in an exceptionally difficult economic time.” Gosh! Food has also appointed Jahangir Khan, former innovation and category controller at Charlie Bigham’s, as its first senior category manager.

Nestlé has announced the release of a vegan alternative to its popular Carnation range, made from a blend of oats and rice flour. The new product is certified by the Vegan Society as suitable for those following a vegan diet. According to the Swiss food giant, it also provides baking enthusiasts with an alternative to make dairy or caramel-based treats without compromising taste, texture or appearance. Marketing lead for dairy brands UK, Vittoria Simms, said: “Our new Vegan Condensed Milk Alternative has been in development for 18 months, bringing the plant-based, dairy-free trend straight into the kitchen for home baking. We have seen the desire to bake at home and experiment with new ingredients really boom this year, with a 61% rise in sweet baking in March and April.” She continued: “It has been a challenge for vegans to find suitable alternatives to make dairy or caramel-based sweets treats or desserts, without having to compromise on taste, texture or appearance. Carnation Vegan has a very simple taste with a hint of lightly toasted oats, which makes it very versatile for a wide variety of baking and sweet treats.” Vegan Condensed Milk Alternative goes on sale with Ocado in September, Morrisons UK supermarkets in October and Tesco in the UK and Ireland also in October. #Nestlé #veganfriendly #condensedmilk #Carnation #vegan #dairyfree

Nestlé has announced the release of a vegan alternative to its popular Carnation range, made from a blend of oats and rice flour. The new product is certified by the Vegan Society as suitable for those following a vegan diet. According to the Swiss food giant, it also provides baking enthusiasts with an alternative to make dairy or caramel-based treats without compromising taste, texture or appearance. Marketing lead for dairy brands UK, Vittoria Simms, said: “Our new Vegan Condensed Milk Alternative has been in development for 18 months, bringing the plant-based, dairy-free trend straight into the kitchen for home baking. We have seen the desire to bake at home and experiment with new ingredients really boom this year, with a 61% rise in sweet baking in March and April." She continued: “It has been a challenge for vegans to find suitable alternatives to make dairy or caramel-based sweets treats or desserts, without having to compromise on taste, texture or appearance. Carnation Vegan has a very simple taste with a hint of lightly toasted oats, which makes it very versatile for a wide variety of baking and sweet treats.” Vegan Condensed Milk Alternative goes on sale with Ocado in September, Morrisons UK supermarkets in October and Tesco in the UK and Ireland also in October.