Innocent targeting spelt and yoghurt

Innocent Drinks has unveiled more details of its plans to move into yoghurt-based smoothies and has outlined aims to expand its portfolio using spelt as a core ingredient.

“We’re hoping to get spelt into our products soon, but we have had a technical issue with the consistency of spelt,” said Lucy Thomas, product development manager for innovation.

She said the company aimed to use spelt to add texture to its smoothies, but added: “Spelt is an ancient cousin of wheat and it’s a lot easier to digest. People with wheat intolerance find it less bloating.”

However, she said it was hard to process because it was a tougher grain to mill, with a tougher husk that meant it took longer to clean.

Other plans for 2008 included Innocent’s major push into yoghurt-based smoothies, which would begin in May with the launch of a new flavour, yoghurt, mangoes, peach and passionfruit, in a larger 750ml carton. The launch of yoghurt, vanilla, bean and honey and yoghurt, oats, raspberries and blueberries flavours, which already exist in 125ml bottles, into the larger format will take place at the same time.

The company said it also had plans to introduce a lighter, more refreshing range of smoothies for the summer.