“PB triple play”: Nestlé develops completely plant-based “bacon cheeseburger”

10 Oct 2019 --- Nestlé has developed vegan alternatives to cheese and bacon, designed to complement its existing plant-based burger patties. The innovation, which is part of Nestlé’s sharpened plant-based focus, makes the Swiss food giant the first food and beverage company to develop and produce all three essential elements for a no-compromise plant-based “bacon cheeseburger”.

With Nestlé’s plant-based burger patties providing the meat-like base, the “PB triple play” offers a complete vegan burger experience. The vegan cheddar cheese alternative has the texture, meltability and rich taste of a dairy cheese. The vegan bacon alternative becomes crispy and chewy when cooked, similar to animal-based bacon, and has the same satisfying flavor, according to Nestlé.

This complete burger solution will first be offered to professional clients such as restaurant and foodservice operators. Nestlé’s plant-based burger patties are already available to food professionals, with the full package including the cheese and bacon alternatives to following in 2020.

The move is part of the Nestlé’s efforts to speed up the transformation of its portfolio with innovative, sustainable products. The company recently announced its ambition to achieve zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, which involves offering more plant-based food and beverages.

It also closely follows Nestlé launching its Sweet Earth Awesome Burger in the US and its Garden Gourmet Incredible Burger in Europe for retail and foodservices.

Acquired by Nestlé USA in 2017, Sweet Earth is a leader in the modern food movement with over 60 plant-based products. 

Speaking with FoodIngredientsFirst last month, Kelly Swette, CEO and Co-Founder of Sweet Earth, explains how the Awesome Burger was created in a kitchen, not a lab, with a focus on achieving “awesome flavor and nutrition in wholesome ways.”

“Despite the launches of other plant-based burgers, we think it’s still early and the plant-based segment continues to gain momentum. We were intent on getting the Awesome Burger to culinary perfection – the nutritious ingredients, satisfying texture, and juicy, delicious taste are something we wanted to get right, even if it meant we weren’t the first on the market,” Swette said. 

“More and more consumers are looking for delicious, nutritious and sustainable plant-based options when they dine out,” says Nestlé CEO Mark Schneider. “We have now raised the bar by developing a “PB triple play” of ingredients for an all-time classic – the bacon cheeseburger. We’re continuing to make good on our promise to offer consumers food that is right for them and right for the planet.”

The development of the “PB triple play” comes at a time of major growth in plant-based foods as global consumers seek to reduce meat and look for exciting meat-free alternatives. This is also linked to the continuing rise of health and wellness trends driving consumer demands as well as ethical and environmental issues. 

Nestlé stresses this development “is intended to appeal to consumers who are actively seeking to reduce meat in their diet and switch to plant-based meals more often.” It delivers on familiar tastes that consumers are seeking out in plant-based alternatives, the company notes. 

The plant-based “bacon cheeseburger” is significantly lower in fat and saturated fat, free of cholesterol and has a higher fiber content compared to a standard bacon cheeseburger. Like Nestlé’s existing plant-based offerings, the new products will also have a lower environmental footprint.

Nestlé leveraged its R&D expertise and proprietary technology to develop the vegan alternatives to cheese and bacon, using a combination of natural ingredients such as plant-based proteins, fibers and oils. In creating these ingredients, culinary chefs and food scientists worked alongside foodservice experts to tailor the products for use in professional kitchens, taking into account their specific cooking and serving requirements.

The company also offers a variety of vegan burger sauces to create a completely plant-based and delicious burger experience.

In August, Nestlé expanded its plant-based food range in Europe with its new “cook from raw” Garden Gourmet Incredible Mince and introduced a new and improved version of its Garden Gourmet Incredible Burger. Nestlé will continue its strategy to position the company towards high-growth categories and pivot its businesses to changing market conditions, while renewing its commitment to healthy and nutritional food.

By Gaynor Selby