January: What’s new in plant based?
We do publish a round-up of dairy and dairy alternative products from around the world at the end of each month, and we are always grateful for new product launch details. Please send details of new launches and an image/images to us here.
Unilever introduces 19 new frozen treats for 2022
Unilever has unveiled its new 2022 portfolio offerings across four of its packaged ice cream and frozen novelty brands in the US, including Breyers, Klondike, Magnum ice cream, and Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto.
These new creations which will be available in major retailers nationwide throughout January and February 2022 include a reimagined twist on classic American flavors, unexpected pairings, and the expansion of fan favorite lines, better-for-you offerings and non-dairy options.
Non-dairy flavors
Magnum ice cream has expanded its non-dairy offerings to include new flavors, Hazelnut Crunch and MINI Variety Pack, featuring Non-Dairy Classic and Non-Dairy Almond flavors.
Magnum Non-Dairy Hazelnut Crunch Bars feature a hazelnut base with a salted caramel swirled throughout, dipped in caramelized hazelnuts and non-dairy chocolate.
Magnum Non-Dairy MINI Variety Pack offers Non-Dairy Classic and Non-Dairy Almond, now available as MINI bars.
Magnum Vegan Minis have also launched in the UK.
The extension of the Magnum Vegan portfolio in the UK is the latest move as part of Unilever’s wider global Future Foods ambition launched globally with two key objectives: to help people transition towards healthier diets and to help reduce the environmental impact of the global food chain. The ambition includes an annual global sales target of more than €1bn from plant-based meat and dairy alternatives.
The new Magnum Vegan Mini Classic and Almond multipack will be rolling out from January in Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Ocado, and Waitrose. Each six pack (6 x 55ml/330ml) is priced at £4.29.
Ben & Jerry's Adds Two New Flavors to its Non-Dairy Collection
Ben & Jerry's has added two more flavors to its certified vegan, non-dairy choices.
Non-Dairy Boom Chocolatta is a mocha and caramel frozen dessert with fudge flakes, gluten-free chocolate cookies and a gluten-free chocolate cookie core. Non-Dairy Bananas Foster has a banana and cinnamon base with almond toffee pieces and a salted caramel core.
Ben & Jerry's now offers 18 non-dairy flavors, almost 40% of the company's range.
"We know that people who choose non-dairy frozen desserts love variety," said Dena Wimette, head of innovation for Ben & Jerry's.
Ben & Jerry's began making non-dairy frozen desserts in 2016, due to demand. Since then, the company's non-dairy strategy has been to offer classic favorites with an almond or sunflower base, and some new flavors created exclusively for the non-dairy line.
In addition to being non-dairy and vegan, both new additions are also certified gluten-free.
"Our flavor gurus believe in creating concoctions for all," said Wimette.
Boom Chocolatta and Bananas Foster will have a suggested price of $4.49-5.79.
Cold Stone Creamery introduces new Silk plant-based frozen dessert
Cold Stone Creamery is teaming up with Silk in the US to introduce a new plant-based flavor, Silk Chocolate Almondmilk Frozen Dessert.
Along with the new flavor, Cold Stone is introducing the Don't Cry Over Spilled Silk Creation, made with Silk Chocolate Almondmilk Frozen Dessert, Banana, Peanut Butter and Roasted Almonds.
"We're absolutely thrilled that Cold Stone Creamery chose to work with Danone North America and the Silk brand to bring the ice cream parlor's first-ever plant-based frozen dessert to Cold Stone customers," said Derek Neeley, vice president of marketing for Silk, Danone North America.
"Cold Stone's creativity and leadership in frozen desserts paired with our expertise in plant-based dairy alternatives and strong track record of delivering great taste and texture, is a powerful combination for bringing a delicious, plant-based dessert collaboration to frozen treat lovers across the country."
"Cold Stone is delighted to share our very first plant-based flavor," said Sara Schmillen, vice president of marketing for Kahala Brands, parent company of Cold Stone Creamery.
"We pride ourselves on our high flavor standards. It was important for us to innovate with an equally high quality and well-respected brand like Danone and their Silk Almondmilk product.”
Silk Chocolate Almondmilk Frozen Dessert is available at Cold Stone Creamery stores nationwide.
Silk debuts Silk Nextmilk
Silk Nextmilk, from Danone North America, is now available in the US.
The drink is a source of six key nutrients found in dairy, including calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, B12, riboflavin and phosphorus. Silk Nextmilk also delivers 4g (8% DV) of plant-based protein per serving. Silk Nextmilk is lactose-free, Non-GMO Project Verified and has 30% fewer calories than dairy milk.
"Some consumers remain skeptical about plant-based food and beverages due to taste and texture, but Silk Nextmilk is on a mission to change that. We deconstructed dairy to create this revolutionary product that delivers the taste and texture we think dairy drinkers will love," said John Starkey, president of plant-based food and beverages, Danone North America.
"Thanks to Silk Nextmilk—a true category game changer—we're confident dairy lovers will want to cross the aisle."
Danone North America said its research team deconstructed the dairy drinking experience—including key nutritional factors, molecular composition and sensory elements—and reconstructed it with plants that mirrored the different components of dairy's flavor curve and mouthfeel, in partnership with its own dairy experts.
Silk Nextmilk is now available in Whole Fat and Reduced Fat varieties in multiserve cartons (MSRP: $4.99/59-oz. carton) in the refrigerated section at grocery stores nationwide, including Target, Kroger, Publix, HEB and more.
Renewal Mill Teams Up with Salt & Straw with upcycled vegan ice cream flavor
Renewal Mill, a US upcycled ingredient supplier, has partnered with small batch ice-cream company Salt & Straw to create a custom chef-driven vegan ice cream flavor, Chocolate Salted Caramel Cupcake.
The new flavor is made using Renewal Mill’s baking mix, Dark Chocolate Brownie, and is a part of Salt & Straw’s annual “Veganuary’s Vegandulgence Series” campaign to raise awareness about vegan food options.
Renewal Mill’s Chocolate Salted Caramel Cupcake is available to purchase in-store at Salt & Straw’s 25 locations, and online at Salt & Straw’s website through Jan. 31, 2022.
Renewal Mill’s Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix is made with upcycled organic okara flour, which Renewal Mill crafts by upcycling the soybean pulp generated during soymilk production.
By upcycling the soybean pulp that would otherwise go to waste and release greenhouse gases which cause global warming, Renewal Mill is fighting climate change and global food loss by converting food manufacturing by-products into ingredients.
“According to leading research, around 1.3bn tons of food gets wasted each year with much of it ending up in landfills and contributing to climate change,” said Caroline Cotto, co-founder of Renewal Mill.
“By improving the efficiency of our food system, Renewal Mill is helping ensure that the next-generation of eaters have a healthy planet and a sustainable future. Upcycling is about respect: respect for all the resources that go into growing and producing our food, and the people who do it. We are honored to collaborate with Salt & Straw and help not only raise awareness about food loss and climate-friendly food options, but prove that eating sustainably doesn’t sacrifice taste.”
“At Salt & Straw, we make some of the most indulgent and thoughtfully crafted vegan ice creams in the world," said Tyler Malek, co-founder and head ice cream maker at Salt & Straw.
"Partnering with Renewal Mill was one of our most important initiatives in this menu because their products have captured that perfect mix of being revolutionarily thoughtful, as well as downright delicious. Their brownie mix is really, really good. We simply bake that mix off, slather it in a homemade caramel vegan frosting, and stud it into an oat milk ice cream to create one of the most delicious desserts you'll ever taste.... vegan or not."
Ilchester partners with Sainsbury's to list ‘best melting vegan cheeze in the market'
British cheese supplier Ilchester has a new listing in Sainsbury's for its newest plant-based cheese alternative, the Ilchester Vegan Melting Mature block.
The sixth product in the Norseland portfolio of vegan cheese alternatives, which includes Applewood Vegan Block, Applewood Vegan Slices, Applewood Vegan Grated, Mexicana Vegan and Ilchester Vegan Blue, is available in 459 Sainsbury's stores and will retail at £2.35.
Lisa Harrison, senior brand manager for Ilchester, said, "This is a fantastic way to start 2022 and to celebrate Veganuary with a listing for one of our newest cheeses, our Ilchester Vegan Melting Mature which only launched in July 2021.
"To secure another listing for the Melting Mature is really the icing on the cake as we want as many people as possible who are keen to try a flexitarian, vegan or vegetarian diet to have access to our plant-based cheese alternatives.
"The demand for vegan food isn't shown any signs of slowing down as the pandemic has really focused people's thoughts on eating healthy and strengthening their immune systems.
"Figures for 2020 showed that there was a 40% increase in people following a vegan diet in Britain, up from 1.1m to 1.5m, equivalent to three percent of the population."
