Scottish brand Three Robins has announced the launch of two oat milk-based fruit smoothie pouches for children’s lunchboxes and family outings.
Described as “pioneering”, the ambient pouches are available in two flavours — Super Berry and Totally Tropical. They contain 24-45% fibre-rich vegetables and are said to provide a more nutritious alternative to typical apple juice-based products.
The smoothie pouches are reportedly “causing a real stir” at supermarkets, food service outlets, independent stores, delis, and food halls. Three Robins eventually hopes to expand the products into education and the NHS.
Multi-purpose oat milk
Three Robins was launched in 2022 by Karen Robinson, an Edinburgh-based mother who discovered that one of her children was lactose intolerant. After struggling to find a milk alternative that was equally suitable for kids’ cereal and creating barista-style froth in coffee, she decided to develop a vitamin-rich, multi-purpose oat milk. The product quickly proved successful, gaining its first retail listing at Findlay’s Grocers in Edinburgh the same year.
In 2023, Three Robins launched a chocolate oat milk said to contain 30-50% less sugar than mainstream brands. Like the company’s regular oat milk, it is fortified with essential vitamins and minerals (B12, B2, D, iodine, folic acid, and calcium). Berry and banana-flavoured milks will be added to the range in 2026.
Plant-based milk for kids
In recent years, an increasing number of brands have launched plant-based milk products aimed at children. Last month, Califia Farms introduced a product called Complete Kids in the US, featuring a protein blend derived from peas, chickpeas, and fava beans. Another US brand, Brooklyn-based Kiddiwinks, makes dairy-free children’s milks from oats and chickpeas. By making their products nutrient-rich, the companies are demonstrating that plant-based milk can provide an alternative to cow’s milk for growing children.
“As a challenger brand, I love the open-mindedness of a food and drinks sector that is so receptive to brands fulfilling unfulfilled consumer needs,” said Robinson. “The short-term focus has been to create a strong community of loyalist followers that can be activated when we enter the supermarkets. With Little Smoothies solving a real pain point for parents struggling to find healthy and convenient snacks and being an authentic Scottish-produced disruptor, we are truly excited about the next stage of growth for the business.”
