Nestlé expands plant-based product range with new shelf-stable SKUs in Chile
The food and beverage industry is witnessing a surge in plant-based products, and Nestlé is staying ahead of the trends. With the launch of their latest offerings under the Maggi Veg brand in Chile, the company continues to cater to the growing demand for plant-based alternatives in the market.
One of Nestlé’s notable additions is their shelf-stable plant-based minced meat, a first in their product portfolio. This innovative SKU combines vegan ‘mincemeat’ with flavorful seasonings suitable for various dishes like tacos, empanadas, or spaghetti bolognese. Additionally, Nestlé introduces a lentil soup to their range.
These new products are made with soy and carry the certification of being vegan. Torsten Pohl, Nestlé’s global head of R&D, emphasizes the company’s commitment to offering delicious and nutritious alternatives to meat, aligning with the changing preferences of consumers worldwide.
Nestlé’s expansion into plant-based alternatives complements their existing offerings in the chilled and frozen sections. However, earlier this year, the company made a strategic decision to focus on their core portfolio by pulling out the Garden Gourmet meat-free and Wunda alt-dairy brands from retail in the UK and Ireland.
Despite this, Nestlé maintains the Garden Gourmet brand for the UK foodservice market and other European countries. Moreover, the company provides plant-based options in beverages and confectionery, ensuring a wide range of choices for consumers.
In another move to strengthen its plant-based presence, Nestlé’s Israel food unit Tivall has formed a partnership with More Foods, a leading manufacturer of vegan meat analogues. This collaboration aims to develop a range of innovative, pumpkin seed-based products for main meals.
Furthermore, Nestlé has demonstrated its commitment to the plant-based market by piloting ready-to-heat, shelf-stable plant-based meal kits in China. These kits feature popular local recipes like Mala Xiang Guo and Curry Chicken, catering to the diverse taste preferences of Chinese consumers.
