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nestlé's Wunde pea-based milk

© Nestlé

Nestlé’s Plant-Based Brands Wunda, Garden Gourmet and Mezeast to Stop Retailing in UK Supermarkets

March 20, 2023March 17, 2023

Nestlé has announced it will no longer sell its plant-based brands Wunda, Garden Gourmet, and Mezeast in the UK due to poor sales and current market conditions, reports The Grocer. UK supermarkets will begin to phase out the products during the second quarter of this year. Garden Gourmet products will continue to be sold for food service through Nestlé Professional. Competitive market conditions and rising production costs, exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine, are the primary factors in withdrawing the products from the UK and Irish markets, Nestlé UK & Ireland Food MD Honza Dusanek told The Grocer. Nestlé is not leaving the plant-based category and has plans to invest in and leverage brands such as Mindful Chef and Simply Cook, which offer extensive vegan and …

Perfect Day Cowabunga Milk

©Perfect Day

Products & Launches

Nestle Trials ‘Cowabunga’ Animal-Free Beverages Made with Perfect Day Whey

December 19, 2022

Alt-dairy startup Perfect Day announces that Nestle has begun testing its first animal-free milk product, Cowabunga, in select Safeway stores in San Francisco. Made with Perfect Day’s fermented whey protein, Cowabunga Animal-Free Dairy Beverages is the first product collaboration between the two companies. Available in Original and Chocolate flavors, each 15 oz serving of Cowabunga contains 14 grams of fat and 250 calories, and is fortified with calcium and Vitamin D. Along with Perfect Day’s animal-free whey protein, the drinks contain oat concentrate and high oleic sunflower oil. Cowbunga, which appears to be a chilled product, is currently being trialed at six Safeway stores in the San Francisco Bay Area. Latest liquid milk Perfect Day and Nestle first revealed a joint collaboration in September, when …

Topics:whey protein

Nestle Dairy-Free

©Nestle

Food & Beverage

Nestlé to Launch Plant-Based Toll House Chocolate Morsels in 2023

December 5, 2022

Nestlé USA announces it is planning to debut a new plant-based version of its Toll House chocolate morsels. According to the conglomerate, which released a line of allergy-friendly, dairy-free chocolate morsels in 2018, the upcoming product will reportedly be newly positioned with more innovative ingredients, says Axios. “Nestlé Toll House plant-based morsels will be a brand-new product within the Toll House portfolio,” Nestlé said in a statement. “As we continue to look to innovate in the plant-based category, baking is an area we’re excited to explore.” Nestlé says the new plant-based chocolate morsels might potentially debut in stores in early 2023. “Plant-based, especially for those that are trying to avoid dairy, can be one of those places where you feel like you have to compromise,” …

Topics:Chocolate

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plant-based-egg-Nestlé

©Nestlé

Egg Alternatives

Nestlé Launches Plant-Based Egg Product in Latin America

December 4, 2022November 28, 2022

Following last week’s news of the F&B conglomerate’s vegan foie gras product for Spanish and Swiss retail, Nestlé announces it has developed a plant-based powdered egg mix which is being tested under the Malher brand in Central America, with plans to expand to further markets within Latin America. The egg product is soy based, suitable for scrambled eggs and omelettes, and according to Nestle offers a reduced amount of saturated fat and cholesterol but with the same protein at an affordable price. Nestle launched a vegan egg alternative under the Garden Gourmet brand last summer, called vEGGie, along with a plant-based shrimp called Vrimp. It states that “R&D teams are also exploring novel solutions for affordable, time-stable protein blends that can be used as meat …

vegan foie gras product called voie gras made by gourmet garden

© Garden Gourmet Schweiz-Suisse-Svizzera

Products & Launches

Garden Gourmet Launches Vegan Foie Gras in Swiss and Spanish Supermarkets

November 25, 2022November 25, 2022

Garden Gourmet, Nestle’s plant-based brand, recently announced the launch of a limited edition of Voie Gras, the brand’s vegan alternative to foie gras, in Swiss and Spanish supermarkets. Voie Gras, which simulates the taste, texture, and aroma of the traditional duck liver pâté, will be the first vegan-certified alternative to reach large retail distribution in both countries, said Garden Gourmet in a statement. Foie gras consumption has fallen Traditionally, foie gras producers force-feed ducks to make their livers fatty for the rich and greasy spread. This routine is widely considered one of the cruellest practices in the farming industry. According to Animal Equality UK, foie gras production is banned in many countries, including Switzerland, the UK, the Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Poland, Germany, and Turkey. …

Topics:certification Foie Gras

Nestle Dairy-Free Creamers

©Nestle

Nestle Partners with Perfect Day to Trial Animal-Free Dairy in US

September 20, 2022September 12, 2022

Nestle, the world’s largest publicly held food company, announces it is partnering with fermentation startup Perfect Day to explore the development of products made with animal-free dairy protein. The company will pilot its first product, an unnamed milk-like beverage, later this year at select stores, says Nestle. Created by Nestle’s R&D teams in Switzerland, the beverage contains Perfect Day’s animal-free protein and is identical to the whey protein found in cow’s milk. It also offers the same nutritional and functionality benefits of conventional dairy while being suitable for vegans and lactose-free. The product will be piloted through its newly established US-based R+D Accelerator, which aims to bring highly differentiated product concepts to market in just six months. A changing portfolio According to Nestle, dairy products …

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Plant-Based Creamers

© Coffee mate/Nestlé

Products & Launches

Coffee Mate Launches Plant-Based Creamers for First Time in 50-Year History

August 17, 2022August 17, 2022

For the first time in 50 years, Nestlé-owned brand Coffee mate is launching plant-based creamers in the flavours French Vanilla and Caramel. Coffee mate’s conventional French Vanilla creamer is the best-selling in the refrigerated aisle, and the new almond and oat-based version provides an option for those who avoid dairy. The Caramel flavour is also a customer favourite, with the plant-based version described as having a rich, buttery taste that is ideal for the holiday season. According to Coffee mate, plant-based creamers now account for 15% of the category. Though the brand launched non-dairy options in the US in 2017 as part of its Natural Bliss line, the new launches mark the first time plant-based creamers have been sold under the Coffee mate brand. Non-dairy …

Topics:Coffee Mate Creamer

Matthias Neuner, La Vie

© La Vie

La Vie Hires Matthias Neuner, the Man Behind Nestlé’s Garden Gourmet, as COO

August 11, 2022

La Vie, the French startup leading the way with plant-based alternatives to traditional pork products (and political campaigning), has appointed Matthias Neuner, who worked for more than 20 years at Nestlé, as its new COO. “During his last assignment in Switzerland, his love for plant-based food slowly started to grow: together with his commercial colleagues, he launched Nestlé’s plant-based brand Garden Gourmet in the out-of-home channel in 2019 by building and orchestrating the value chain for this new product category,” explained La Vie. “He has successfully industrialised Nestlé’s vegan products in a very short timeframe to put them on the menu of leading fast food restaurants such as Subway in the UK, Autogrill in Italy, including the very first vegan burger at McDonald’s Germany in …

Nomoo Cheeseburger and Fries

©Nomoo

Gastronomy & Food Service

Nomoo Partners with Nestle Professional to Develop Proprietary Plant-Based Burger, Chicken and Cheese

August 3, 2022

LA burger concept nomoo is partnering with Nestle Professional, the world’s largest global foodservice manufacturer, to develop a proprietary line of plant-based products. The companies’ first offering, a gluten-free, non-GMO pea protein burger, will launch in October 2022, with a plant-based chicken burger and cheese currently in the works. Created to help streamline nomoo’s operations, the new line will provide key advantages for the vegan fast food brand as it prepares to expand its franchise across the US. Expected benefits include lower food costs, less waste, extended shelf-life and more consistency. The Nestle partnership will also significantly reduce labor and boost nomoo’s status as an appealing and scalable concept for potential franchisees. “With a partner like Nestlé, renowned for its commitment to the finest ingredients, …

Topics:Burgers Pea Protein

sustainable food plant-based shrimps

©Happy Ocean Foods

Market & Trends

Alt Shrimp Making Waves as 72% of Consumers Do Not Want Their Seafood to Harm the Environment

July 14, 2022

Though research shows shrimp as the most popular seafood item in the US, consumer concerns regarding ocean pollution are changing ordering habits. Alt shrimp producers across the globe are meeting the demand for environmentally friendly seafood options, with 72% of consumers stating they do not want their seafood consumption to harm the environment, as reported by Restaurant Business Online. With alt shrimp looking like the next big segment in alt seafood, vegconomist takes a look at the biggest players in the emerging market. Aqua Cultured Foods The female-led food tech startup from Chicago has recently launched its “world’s first” whole-muscle cut alt seafood on the market. Using its novel fermentation technology, Aqua Cultured Foods has developed alt shrimp as well as calamari. Happy Ocean Foods …

Topics:Shrimp

SMA Nutrition Nestlé baby food

©SMA Nutrition

Products & Launches

Nestlé Launches Plant-Based Toddler Milk Little Steps Plantygrow in UK

June 29, 2022

Nestlé-owned SMA Nutrition is bringing a new plant-based infant nutrition drink to market in the UK. The Little Steps Plantygrow Plant-Based Growing Up Drink is nutritionally designed for toddlers aged one to three. Rolling out into Tesco and Asda, SMA claims the new drink is a versatile choice for parents looking to diversify their toddler’s diet, with no added sugars and a source of vitamins A, C, B2, B12 & Iron, as well as iodine, and Omega 3 & 6. The drink also contains Calcium and Vitamin D which are needed for normal growth and bone development in children. Nestlé in plant-based Multinational food conglomerate Nestlé has invested heavily into plant-based across its divisions, from plant-based eggs and shrimp to a new $73 million alt …

Topics:Baby Food infant nutrition

Herta knacki sausages

©Herta

Marketing & Media

Herta Launches Plant-Based Knacki for Kids With Sausage Balloon Animals

April 27, 2022April 26, 2022

Update 27th April: this product has been found to contain eggs. Nestlé-backed processed meat brand Herta has developed a novel plant-based approach for its new range of vegan sausages for kids. Herta, one of France’s leading meat brands, has presented the vegetable-based version of its Knacki sausages as balloon animals. Citing research from the brand that 77% of children under 10 are reluctant to vary their diet, Herta has launched the new plant-based Knacki range along with the eye-catching sausage balloon animal campaign. Despite claiming to be France’s leading charcuterie brand, Herta has declared its commitment to plant-based education for future generations and the adoption of greener diets. In the shape of a dog, giraffe, butterfly, and an octopus, the campaign aims to be a …

Topics:Sausage

Very Good Burgers

© The Very Good Food Company

Amid More Changes, Very Good Food Company Selects Former Nestle Exec Matt Hall as New Interim CEO

April 26, 2022

The Very Good Food Company, a plant-based food technology brand, announces it is appointing former Nestle executive Matthew Hall as Interim Chief Executive Officer. In addition, Hall will join the company’s board of directors at the commencement of his employment on May 2, 2022. It was also revealed that Ana Silva, Very Good’s President, Interim CFO and Corporate Secretary, resigned from the company on April 22. A series of shake-ups The news is the latest in a series of abrupt leadership changes at Very Good Food, the parent company of Canada’s The Very Good Butchers. Earlier this month, co-founder Mitchell Scott was removed from his position as CEO at the financially troubled brand, whose stock value has steeply plummeted over the past year. Very Good …

Vegan chicken wings Sundial Foods

©Sundial Foods

Products & Launches

Sundial Foods Announces Foodservice Debut for Plant-Based Chicken with Skin and Bone

April 25, 2022

Sundial Foods, the vegan chicken company creating plant-based chicken wings with realistic skin, has announced its first foodservice partnerships. The move comes as part of a gradual rollout throughout 2022, beginning in the Bay Area and New York. The soft launch will see the innovative chicken wings, formed around a small bamboo stick, available at Orchard Grocer & Deli on New York’s Lower East Side, as well as multiple locations in San Francisoco’s Foghorn Taproom. Additional restaurant partners are slated to be announced over the spring and summer. Founded by Jessica Schwabach and Siwen Deng, who met while working on the University of California Berkeley’s Alternative Meats Program, Sundial spent a year developing prototypes in a basement kitchen before progressing through Nestle’s R&D Accelerator in …

Topics:Chicken Chicken Wings Sundial Foods

Nestle Garden Gourmet

© Nestlé

Nestlé to Open Alt-Meat Facility in Serbia, Will Produce 12,000 Tons Annually

March 2, 2022

Multinational food conglomerate Nestlé has announced it is building an alt-meat facility in Serbia for its Garden Gourmet brand. The facility will cost $73 million to build and cover 18,440 square metres. Construction of the manufacturing plant is already underway and is expected to be complete by the final quarter of 2022. The facility will create 330 jobs and produce 12,000 tons of plant-based meat per year. Meat alternatives produced at the factory will be exported mostly to other European markets such as France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and the UK. Garden Gourmet in Europe Last September, Nestlé relaunched Garden Gourmet in the UK with a range of four products — mince, burgers, sausages, and filet pieces. The brand had previously been pulled from …