As Veganuary returns this month for the tenth year running, this year’s sign-ups to the plant-based pledge have hit a record rate at one person every 2.4 seconds.
With more Brits looking to try or commit to a vegan diet, Grocery Gazette has taken a look into the latest products and range expansions across the plant-based market. From vegan meat to chocolate and cheese, here’s a run down of retailers and FMCG brands’ latest launches…
Tesco
Tesco’s plant-based range has been significantly expanded over recent months, including new ranges from brands such as Beyond Meat and This, both offering their take on plant-based burgers.
To help give vegans a boost throughout January, Tesco has introduced a new meal planning tool with vegan and vegetarian recipes to help make Veganuary as simple as possible.
The retailer has also launched five new products to its Plant Chef frozen food range, inlcuding meat free hot dogs and fish-free goujons.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s is offering a variety of seasonal vegan items this month, including a new range of deserts from free-from brand We Love Cake.
Named the fastest-growing free-from bakery brand for two years in a row and owned by bakery chain Bells of Lazonby, We Love Cake will release it’s brand new Choc-a-lot’ pudding, Caramelicious Salted caramel and chocolate tart, and When life gives you lemons lemon tart into Sainsbury’s stores nationwide as of January.
Aldi
Aldi is set to launch its biggest vegan range yet, with prices starting at 99p. The German retailer is adding a wide range of products to its plant-based line-up, including Pulled No Pork, No Chicken Wings and Vegan Battered Sausages.
From Asian style vegan dishes to a range of exclusive own-brand vegan ciders, Aldi has a lot to offer vegans this month at affordable prices.
Asda
Supermarket giant Asda launched a vegan toad in the hole across 300 Asda stores nationwide this week, on top of launching two new vegan ranges containing over 112 products.
The OMV! range will offer meat-free meals and snacks, while the Plant Based range will provide nutritionist-approved meat alternatives.
The OMV! offer includes Hot & Spicy No Chicken Burgers (£2.25) made with a pea and wheat protein blend.
Other vegan-friendly OMV! items include Brioche Burger Buns (£1.15), Macaroni Cheese (£2.85), and Choc Brownies.
Meanwhile, the Plant Based range offers Bacon-style rashers (£2) and on-the-go options such as wraps and sandwiches.
86 products will be available in Asda’s stores and online from this month, with the full range becoming available throughout the year. The retailer is also currently stocking vegan basil pesto, plant-based bolognaise and plant-based soya mince, among many others.
Waitrose
Waitrose is expanding its vegan offerings for 2023 by rolling out plant-based meat brand Heura across almost 200 stores. The range launched on 28 December and includes Mediterranean Chick’n Pieces, Spanish Chorizo Sausage and a Chorizo burger.
Additionally, the supermarket is running a vegan meal deal this month, which includes two mains and a side or dessert for £9.
M&S
M&S will be launching a new vegan Victoria sponge cake this month. The retailer already has over 250 products in the Plant Kitchen range making it one of the largest own brands on the high street.
Developed by M&S chefs, every product in the Plant Kitchen range is rigorously benchmarked so it tastes “just as good or even better” than its meat or dairy counterpart, according to the website.
Morrisons
Morrisons is offering a wide range of vegan and plant-based items for Veganuary. With a list of main meals, dairy alternatives and recipes, the retailer also has food cupboard vegan essentials on display for a quick meal.
Co-op Food
The Co-op is providing vegan food options that are “tasty, convenient and exciting” with a growing range of vegan products.
One of the brands the retailer is highlighting is Gro, the Coop’s own plant-based brand that offers sandwiches, wraps, sausages, ice cream and much more.
Heinz
Last week Heinz launched vegan alternatives to two of its classic recipes, rolling out Creamy Tomato Soup and Beanz & Vegan Sausages via online-only supermarket Ocado.
Also launching in Sainsbury’s on 8 January, the soup contains fermented soy, while the Beanz & Vegan Sausages is made from wheat protein, rapeseed oil, potato starch and wheat starch.
Better Nature
Better Nature has launched a new range of Martinated Tempeh Pieces in flavours Mediterranean, Curry and BBQ.
The 100% natural and gluten-free products will be rolling out at RRP £3.29 as a new listing in Holland & Barrett and via distribution to Allplants, Gopuff, Minful Chef and Selfridges.
This
Alternative meat brand This has launched ‘Isn’t Streaky Bacon’ combining its Fat 2.0 made from olive oil, alongside its plant-based meat which uses pea and soya protein.
Rolling out across almost 3,000 stores including in Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose at RRP £3.25, the vegan streaky bacon has 17 kcal per rasher, is high in protein, low in fat with 88% less than the average meat equivalent, a good source of fibre as well as fortified with vitamin B12 and iron.
Vegan Fried Chick*n (VFC)
Vegan chicken brand VFC has spiced things up for 2023 with a new spicy range, which launched just in time for Veganuary.
The VFC Spicy range includes fillets and tenders, both of which come with a habanero chilli-infused crunchy coating and richer flavour. The next-generation plant-based chicken – crafted by chef and co-founder Adam Lyons – is low in saturated fat and packed with protein.
Created in partnership with the founder of Veganuary itself, Matthew Glover, VFC, which is made from soya and wheat protein, is inspired by a sell-out dish on the menu at Adam’s York restaurant, Source.
Premier Foods
Premier Foods mealtime brand Bisto has extended its meat-free gravy offering with a new chicken flavour.
Following on from Bisto’s meat-free beef flavour which launched in October 2022, the chicken gravy is available in Tesco.
Premier Foods Paxo brand has launched a new meat-free, plant-based Burger Mix and Meatball Mix available in all major grocery retailers, with a Sausage Mix still to come.
The food manufacturer has also rolled out a new range of 100% plant-based protein pots under its Plantastic brand, in Satay Noodles with sweet red pepper, ‘Bolognese’ Pasta in tomato sauce and Cajun Rice with tomato and pepper at Tesco.
Tindle
Plant-based chicken brand Tindle is expanding the availablility of its vegan wings, nuggets and burgers online and in-store at Morrisons until 24 January.
Priced at £3 per pack, the products are usually featured on restaurant menus, including BrewDog, BIRD Fried Chicken & Waffle and Clean Kitchen.
Heura
Plant-based meat brand Heura has expanded its range of Mediterranean Chick’n Pieces, Spanish Chorizo Sausage and Chorizo burger across almost 200 Waitrose stores.
Rolling out in time for Veganuary, Heura hopes it will reach the 43% of Brits looking to eat less meat through this wider availability.
Terry’s Chocolate Orange
Terry’s launched a plant-based alternative of its orange Christmas staple late last year, made using rice syrup instead of dairy.
Using the same orange oil essence to create its signature citrus flavour, the product is available at Sainsbury’s, Ocado and Nisa.
Cathedral City
Cathedral City made its debut into the vegan market last year with the launch of its plant-based cheese alternative range.
Available in a 280g block format, the cheese made from coconut oil and potato starch can also be purchased in 150g grated and sliced variations in Tesco.
