Plant-Based Goes Mainstream with New Product Innovations
The global plant-based food market is booming, with the segment expected to grow to $166 billion in the next decade. As more consumers embrace “flexitarian” eating, brands are broadening their product portfolios with new plant-based innovations across food and beverage categories. Here are a few buzzed-about new products worth noting.
Flavor and sustainability in plant milk
Alternative dairy products—particularly milks—are of the most mature and frequently purchased products in the plant-based category.
Califia Farms continues to innovate with recently introduced seasonal variations in oat and almond plant-based milks. Unique package shape and design, in addition to intriguing flavor profiles, position the products beyond foundational sustainable attributes.
One interesting option in the plant-based milk category is Sproud, made from yellow split pea protein. The company markets sustainable benefits based on its pea protein source, with claims that its production requires less water compared to some plant-based milks.
A rival for dinner
Dinnertime staples such as enchiladas, burgers and tacos are getting meat-free makeovers thanks to several new plant-based innovations.
The universal appeal of comfort food drives new products from Starlite Cuisine, including recently introduced Enchiladas Verdes, made with pea protein. Cutting Vedge lives up to its brand name with a new plant-based burger made from artichokes. The product line also includes sausage and meatballs.
As with many innovations in the plant-based category, Hodo Foods promotes a range of attributes with it new ready-to-eat Adobo Mexican Crumbles, such as USDA Organic and gluten-free.
Catching seafood lovers
The plant-based seafood category has not grown at the same rate as dairy and meat alternatives, offering plenty of untapped potential.
Good Catch Foods’ “fish” burgers, cakes, fillets, and sticks are made with a blend of six legumes – peas, soy, chickpeas, fava beans, lentils and navy beans—and promise the same flavor and flaky texture from animal-based seafood.
Sweet endings
Although many plant-based products market beyond those eliminating animal products entirely, Single Origin Un-Honey is targeted at vegans. Their Copper Vegan Un-Honey, with chocolate and caramel flavors, uses Medjool dates. Product messages identify the farm source and sustainability practices.
Act on market trends
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