Greggs’ new vegan steak bake and KFC’s first meat-free burger are just two of the latest plant-based launches in time for Veganuary 2020, featured in this photo gallery.
Since its launch in 2014, Veganuary has become a popular tradition among some consumers, with the participation more than doubling each year.
As the number of vegans in the UK continues to rise year-on-year, manufacturers and retailers have capitalised on the popularity of the event to launch a plethora of vegan-friendly products to meet the meat-free needs of their consumers.
Launches by Greggs and KFC were joined this month by offerings from sausage manufacturer Heck, Kepak’s hamburger brand Rustlers, and vegan chocolate maker Enjoy.
To find out about all these products and more, click on the next image in this photo gallery of new launches this Veganuary.
This month also saw Perthshire-based Mackie’s of Scotland has launched the “world’s first” haggis, neeps, and tatties flavoured potato crisps to celebrate Burns’ Night later this month.
Meanwhile, Food Manufacture is holding The Future of Plant-Based Proteins: Roots of Further Growth, a conference sponsored by Kerry Taste & Nutrition from 27–28 May 2020 in Amsterdam. To register interest, visit the conference website.
High-street baker Greggs has bolstered its growing range of plant-based products with the launch of its Vegan Steak Bake.
Released one year after the phenomenal success the baker has experienced with its Vegan Sausage Roll, the new bake is similarly made, containing pieces of Quorn instead of beef with onions and gravy.
Consumers were seen queuing outside Greggs’ stores in the early hours of the morning to get their hands on the latest meat-free option from the company.
Chief executive Roger Whiteside said: “Our Vegan Sausage Roll launch was a huge success and we’ve been working tirelessly to expand our vegan-friendly offering and provide more delicious savoury food on-the-go options for people looking to reduce their meat intake.
“The launch of our Vegan Steak Bake is another key milestone on our journey to become our customers’ favourite for food-on-the-go. We look forward to hearing the feedback.”
Fast food restaurant KFC has released its first meat-free burger in stores nationwide, following the success of its imposter burger trial in June.
The Original Recipe Vegan Burger replaces the usual chicken breast fillet with a bespoke Quorn fillet that is coated in KFC’s blend of 11 herbs and spices, served with vegan mayonnaise and iceberg lettuce in a soft glazed bun.
Ira Dubinsky, innovation director at KFC UK and Ireland, said: “Now vegans, flexitarians and our fried chicken fans can all enjoy the taste of our Original Recipe together.
“We’ve worked hard to perfect the flavour and make a vegan burger the Colonel would be proud of. It’s the same flavour of KFC, just with zero chicken.”
Sausage manufacturer Heck has launched two new plant-based products in Asda and Sainsbury’s stores across the UK.
The Heck Vegan Frankfurter, available from more than 250 Sainsbury’s stores, is made of mushroom, carrot, beetroot and a natural hint of smoke. The Ultimate Vegan Burger is launching into Asda on 7 January, alongside Heck’s bestselling Vegan Breakfast Sausage. The ingredients include beetroot, mushroom, sunflower seeds, natural smoke and a kick of red chilli.
Co-founder Jamie Keeble said: “2020 will see us doing to the vegan aisle what we have done in pork and chicken, where we are now dominating with over 25,000 stores across the country. Because of global meat prices, we predict that nearly all our sales will be vegan in the future.”
Snack brand Kettle Chips has made a vegan alternative to the iconic cheese & onion-flavoured crisp.
Developed in partnership with vegan chefs at recipe channel Bosh, Kettle’s Vegan Sheese & Red Onion Crisps are made with a plant-based cheese alternative that contains no artificial ingredients.
Phil Hovey, innovation chef at Kettle, said: “More and more people across are adopting a vegan diet – between 2014 and 2018 the number of vegans in Great Britain quadrupled – and at Kettle we’re always looking for ways to bring our flavour combinations to everyone, regardless of their dietary requirements.
“Who better to team up with to develop this recipe then the guys from Bosh, who are all about great-tasting vegan food without compromise. It was brilliant working with them to develop our Sheese & Red Onion variety and we can’t wait for everyone, vegan or not, to try this exciting new addition to our growing vegan portfolio.”
Retailer The Co-op has launched 35 new meat-free products in stores, which it claimed was the largest ever rollout of own-label vegan products by a supermarket.
Available in 2,000 stores and through 4,000 independent retailers through its wholesale operation Nisa, the GRO range offers plant-based alternatives to some of Britain’s favourite dishes.
Featured products included The Kashmiri Spice Pizza, Spicy Squash & Mex Bean Salad, Chick’n & Stuffin’ – a plant-based alternative to the classic chicken & stuffing sandwich – and Co-op’s own take on a vegan steak bake.
In addition, all Co-op’s beer and cider range will become vegan in 2020, while it already offers almost 120 vegan wines.
Kepak-owned burger brand Rustlers has unveiled its first vegetarian burger to tap into growing customer demand.
Made with chickpea, grated carrot and coriander, the Rustlers Moroccan Vegetarian Burger is served with mango chutney and a yogurt & mint sauce and has been developed to appeal to younger consumers.
Kepak marketing and business development director Adrian Lawlor said: “We are very excited about the category growth potential that this new launch offers.
“With a third of consumers actively seeking to introduce plant-based options into their diets, we feel that as a brand synonymous with taste and convenience, Rustlers can really bring something new to the market, with convenience and enjoyment considered key requirements by flexitarians.”
Swedish meat-free food firm Oumph has launched Sticky Smokehouse Oumph rib-style fillets into Tesco’s frozen section.
Made from soya beans, herbs and spices, Oumph is gluten- and dairy-free. Sticky Smokehouse Oumph is covered in a richly flavoured sticky, smoky barbecue sauce.
The rib-style fillets join Oumph’s other products already available in Tesco stores, including Pulled Oumph, Oumph The Chunk and Oumph Kebab Spiced.
Oumph account manager Laura Weadock said: “Following the phenomenal success of the Oumph Sticky Smokehouse in Sweden, we are delighted to be launching in the UK and partnering Tesco.
“We know this will be a great hit with all customers and Veganuary is a perfect time to try it, whether you’re new to Oumph or trying for the first time, our feedback suggests you’ll be amazed with the great taste and it’s perfect for those big nights In.”
