Welcoming the decade with NPD: Protein, sugar-reduction and plant-based trends star

08 Jan 2020 --- With the year only a week old, its strong start in NPD releases could provide an initial glimpse of what the new decade may hold. Reformulation continues to be key, with siggi’s launching yogurt pouches for children, which are touted as containing significantly less sugar and fewer ingredients than other dairy brands. The launch of Genius Gourmet – a ketogenic snack company – and a new chocolate peanut butter cup-flavored plant-based protein powder from Orgain, highlight the emphasis on protein, as well as the shift away from animal-derived products. Also in the plant-based space are ZENB’s new Veggie Bites and Silk’s docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega 3 beverage.

While siggi’s says that leading kids’ yogurt contains an average of 11.3 ingredients and 3.5g sugar per oz (28 g), its new pouches contain an average of 7.5 ingredients and 1.7 g sugar per oz. The US-based company’s pouches will be rolled out to grocery and retail stores this month and contain non-tart 2 percent milkfat yogurt in portable packaging. 

“I feel this is perfect for families – a tasty, simple yogurt pouch with no mess and less sugar,” says siggi’s Founder Siggi Hilmarsson

siggi's yogurt pouches for children will be rolled out to grocery and retail stores this month.This launch closely follows the company’s expansion into plant-based yogurts last month. The products had been in development for two years and address key consumer demands within the non-dairy sector, including natural protein and sugar reduction.

The plant-based movement has already been seen in full-force, with ZENB, a plant-based food company known for its organic vegetable snacks, debuting its Veggie Bites. They are touted as being a bite-sized snack that offers a new way to get a full cup of vegetables into your daily diet. Each pouch of ZENB Veggie Bites offers a full cup of vegetables, is a good source of fiber and comes in a resealable package of six.

“ZENB’s new Veggie Bites offer a wholesome snack with a clean label for people on-the-go and for those who love to graze throughout the day,” says Christiane Paul, CMO of ZENB. “We continually strive to be a resource for plant-based eating and education, and the introduction of our new ZENB Veggie Bites enhances that mission by giving consumers more product options and a range of flavors to choose from.”Silk is launching a DHA omega 3 plant-based beverage.

Meanwhile, US-based plant-based beverage brand Silk is adding a DHA omega 3 plant-based beverage to its nutrition platform. It blends oat and almond milk with pea protein to create a desirable texture and delivers 6 g of pea protein and 32 mg of DHA omega 3 per serving to help support brain health. It also delivers 50 percent more calcium than traditional dairy milk. 

“Silk DHA Omega-3 is the latest example of our ongoing dedication to offering a delicious and diverse array of plant-based products that each deliver their own benefits,” says David Robinson, Senior Brand Manager for Silk. “DHA Omega-3 helps support brain health for people of all ages and represents a simple way that consumers can make a healthy choice that meets their individual needs.”

Protein for all
Those seeking plant-based protein can also turn to Orgain, which is offering Simple Organic Plant Based Protein Powder in Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup to US Costco customers. The clean nutrition producer says this launch meets the growing millennial consumer demand for products with fewer and simpler ingredients.

“Our newest addition to Costco warehouses will bring a satisfying, simple and clean sweet treat to our line of health-conscious products sold within the store,” says Dr. Andrew Abraham, Orgain Founder and CEO.

Orgain is offering Simple Organic Plant Based Protein Powder in Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup to US Costco customers.The Simple Organic Protein Powder is US Department of Agriculture certified organic and contains zero fillers, binders, preservatives, artificial colors or flavors. The powder also serves up 20 g of plant-based protein and 4 g of organic fiber. 

Rounding out the protein space is Genius Gourmet, a new keto snack company launched by Lance Rankin, one of the original co-founders of Premier Protein. The business is now promoting a line of on-the-go shakes, chips and bars. The products contain moderate protein levels and replace sugar with high-quality fat. The keto diet is set to be one of the top diet trends this year with many consumers seeing it as a “magic answer.”

“We saw an opportunity in the keto space that wasn’t being addressed. Consumers are looking for snack products that provide true keto nutritionals and deliver a world-class taste,” comments Rankin. “We partnered with one of the top manufacturing facilities in the world and came up with a line of keto snacks that are increasing in popularity among the keto community.”

By Katherine Durrell