PepsiCo and Beyond Meat Unveil Nostalgic Plant-Based Lemonade and ‘Cow-Free’ Chocolate

March 25, 2022 — This week in NPD News, Cleveland Kitchen added Mild Kimchi to its product line, which was showcased at Natural Products Expo West, Meati launched its classic, crispy plant-based cutlets, Mike’s Hard Lemonade brought back the 90s with Mike’s Hard Freeze and Organic Valley launched a premium line of creamers with less sugar. Meanwhile, DKSH has partnered with CFF to distribute dietary fiber concentrates in Switzerland, and Fonterra will exit its Russian operations amid the invasion of Ukraine.

In short: NDP
Beyond Meat Jerky is the first product to come out of the PepsiCo and Beyond the meat joint venture, called Planet Partnership, LLC. According to the two companies, it is a plant-based product that provides a flavor-packed on-the-go snacking experience. Beyond Meat Jerky is marinated and slow roasted to deliver the savory experience of traditional beef jerky in three flavors: Original, Hot & Spicy and Teriyaki. It has 10g of protein per serving, is cholesterol free, and is made with plant-based ingredients like peas and mung beans, all without GMOs, soy, or gluten.

Gourmet fermented food brand Cleveland Kitchen added Mild Kimchi to its product line. This variety of snacks was perfected and developed with local Korean chefs at the Korea House restaurant in Cleveland. The side dish can dress eggs, rice, noodle dishes and toast.

Barry Callebaut launched a zesty, fruit-flavored chocolate, Evocao WholeFruit Chocolate, from Cacao Barry in Europe, Eurasia and the Middle East, Asia and the Americas. He then received the World Food Innovation Award for “Best Artisan Product”. The chocolate was developed by 30 collaborating chefs and artisans from around the world.

Chocolate Covered Protein Bars are a new addition to the No Cow product line.

no cow, the makers of plant-based, low-sugar protein bars and powders, has launched chocolate-coated protein bars to bring more decadence to the brand’s lineup. Each bar is powered by a proprietary blend of rice and pea protein. The protein bars contain classic American sweets and candies and contain over 20g of vegetable protein, 5g of carbohydrates and 1g of sugar. The bars are available in six flavors: Chocolate Sea Salt, Chocolate Salted Caramel, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup, Chocolate Mint Cookie, Chocolate Dusted Donut, and Chocolate Coconut Almond.

Start-up whole and complete alternative meats Meat launches its first national consumer offerings, the classic escalope and the crispy escalope. Their steak tenderloin will be available later in the spring. All cuts are made with meat mycelium, a superfood protein similar to the root structure of mushrooms and provides nutritional benefits in a low calorie whole food.

Organic Valley launched a premium range of creamers available in French Vanilla and Sweet Cream flavors. Home baristas can use the creamer option, which contains 40% less sugar than other brands, contains no artificial ingredients and is lactose-free.

In response to fans’ love of nostalgic flavors, Mike’s Hard Lemonade brought back the 90s with Mike’s Hard Freeze, a collection of four refreshing, retro flavors that will remind consumers of their favorite slush flavors. The company reports that more than 70% of consumers seek out nostalgic flavors, reminding them of simpler times and carefree days.Mike’s Hard Gel.

Galactic launched Natural Basil Flavor, a natural ingredient designed for meat alternatives and plant-based meals through fermentation and infusion. The ingredient has been formulated to infuse round flavors and offers producers labeling options such as plant-based, natural and clean labels. Natural basil flavor can be used in burgers, sausages, nuggets, deli meats, spreads and plant-based ready meals.

Based in San Francisco, The EACH co launched an animal-free egg white, EVERY EggWhite. The ingredient offers bakers and chefs the taste and culinary functionality of egg whites without the need to use chicken eggs. To celebrate the move, the company introduced the product with a macaron designed by Chantal Guillon, maker of the West Coast French macaron. Since its inception in 2014, EVERY, formerly Clara Foods, has advocated to advance the development of alternative animal proteins such as animal-free pepsin.

Brand of healthier frozen treats, GoodPop unveiled its Certified Organic Junior Pops made with US Department of Agriculture fruit juice, frozen pops with no added sugar. The pops come in a varied six-pack in three flavors; orange, cherry and grape.

In Brief: Commercial Movers
Distributor of specialty chemicals and ingredients, DKSH in partnership with SBB, supplier of renewable natural fibres, to distribute its dietary fiber concentrates in Switzerland. DKSH’s Performance Materials business unit will provide business development, marketing, sales, logistics and distribution services for CFF’s Sanacel range of natural fiber concentrates for food applications. The cooperation with DKSH enables SBB to market and expand their brand presence in Switzerland.

fonterra is closing its operations in the Russian Federation following the cooperative’s decision to suspend product shipments to the region in late February, amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Fonterra exports a small amount of products to Russia, mainly butter, totaling approximately 1% of our annual exports. Fonterra, a New Zealand multinational, joined the Unifood joint venture in December 2018. New Zealand has been exporting butter to Russia for over 40 years.

In short: SustainabilityGoodpop popsicles.
Poultry producer PHW Group and Great Meat, a food technology company developing cultured meat products, has officially signed a memorandum of understanding to produce meat products including chicken, turkey and duck for the European market. PHW Group and Supermeat will work together to obtain European product clearance and be among the first to develop, manufacture and distribute cultured meat at scale for consumers. Through SuperMeat’s proprietary cultured meat platform, they will be able to offer cultured meat products that meet consumer expectations for taste, texture and nutritional composition.

Cherished ingredients, a company that transforms food waste into sustainable products and generates renewable energy, has chosen to convert its used cooking oil into cleaner-burning renewable transportation fuel. Darling Ingredients’ DAR PRO Solutions service brand will recycle cooking oil from all Chick-fil-A restaurants in the United States and Canada.

In Brief: Other Highlights
FrieslandCampina and DSM are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from dairy cattle with a pilot project using DSM’s Bovaer feed additive on 200 FrieslandCampina dairy farms. The additive has consistently reduced cows’ methane emissions by around 30%. Following EU approval for the use of the additive in February 2022, the companies decided to launch the pilot project. Dutch feed supplier Agrifirm will supply the feed additive to participating farmers.

Ontario grain growers called on all parties to immediately restore CP rail operations. Keeping the commercial transportation system running is critical to Canada’s food supply, the organization says. Farmers rely on the transportation of goods that are important for planting crops and transporting grain to markets. In Canada, a rail transportation shutdown adds risk to the food supply system and further exacerbates the already strained transportation system.

By Inga de Jong

To contact our editorial team, please email us at Editorial@cnsmedia.com