Plant-based focus: Nestlé unveils vegan sausages in Europe and US

17 Jan 2020 --- Nestlé is launching plant-based sausages in Europe and the US, continuing to pivot its businesses to changing market conditions and dietary shifts toward vegan products. In Europe, the soy-based Garden Gourmet Incredible Sausage will be available in Bratwurst and Chorizo styles. It will launch for retail in March in 11 European markets, including Austria, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. A version for restaurants and foodservice will be available to out-of-home customers shortly.

The US will see the pea protein-based Sweet Earth Sausage in April, in three varieties including Habanero Cheddar, Asian Ginger Scallion and Chik’n Apple. A version for foodservice will be available as well. The Swiss giant will also launch a range of plant-based deli meats, which will be available in the US, both in retail (pre-packaged) cases and from the deli counter.

“After the success of our plant-based burgers and grounds, we now have a new addition. These plant-based sausages deliver on both flavor and texture,” says Wayne England, head of Nestlé’s food business. “Their juiciness and firm bite mean you can cook and enjoy them any way you like, including grilling, roasting or pan-frying.”

Last August, Nestlé expanded its plant-based food range in Europe with its “cook from raw” Garden Gourmet Incredible Mince. It also introduced a new and improved version of its Garden Gourmet Incredible Burger. 

Nestlé’s sharpened plant-based focus comes as consumers continue to seek out different ways to balance their protein intake, move away from meat and lower the environmental footprint of their diets. It’s also part of the company strategy to position the company towards high-growth categories.

Nestlé is reaffirming its commitment to providing nutritious and sustainable plant-based options for global consumers. 

Garden Gourmet is putting the “incredible” into plant-based sausages with ingredients including soy, beetroot, carrots, peppers and rapeseed and coconut oils. With 13 grams of plant-based protein, no cholesterol and around 40 percent less fat than a sausage made of pork, the Garden Gourmet Incredible Sausage scores a “B” rating on the Nutri-score front of pack labeling system.

The Garden Gourmet and Sweet Earth sausages have a lower environmental impact than sausages made with meat. For example, the Garden Gourmet Incredible Sausage has soy as its main ingredient. Compared to a pork-based sausage, a soy-based sausage can account for roughly 90 percent less CO2, 90 percent less water and 80 percent less land use. The packaging for the Garden Gourmet Incredible Sausage has also been designed to be fully recyclable.

US vegetarian food innovator, Sweet Earth, which is owned by Nestlé, unveiled the “Awesome Burger,” last September. In an in-depth interview with FoodIngredientsFirst at the time, Kelly Swette, CEO and Co-founder of Sweet Earth, talked about the plant-based offering that competes with rival products from the likes of Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat.

Furthermore, Nestlé recently announced its ambition to achieve zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, including by offering more plant-based food and beverages. The company has also said it will make all its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025.

Nestlé already has a wide range of meat alternatives on the market, including burgers, grounds, nuggets and schnitzels. Garden Gourmet and Sweet Earth are also continuing to expand ranges of other products based on vegetables.

Garden Gourmet Incredible Mince.“On top of meat alternatives, our chefs and plant-based food experts are developing tasty and nutritious veggie-centric ingredients and meals. These are full of flavor and surprising textures from vegetables, grains and pulses to inspire plant-based or flexitarian eaters to widen their horizons,” England adds. 

Nestlé’s pronounced plant-based focus is in line with the number two trend from Innova Market Insights this year, Plant-Based Revolution. Innova Market Insights highlights a 68 percent average annual growth in food and beverage launches with a “plant-based” claim (Global, CAGR 2014 to 2018).

“Plant-based is definitely something that’s very positively perceived by consumers. We think there is a lot more opportunity for mainstream plant-based claims. This is one of the results from our survey, which asked consumers what claim they prefer when buying meat or dairy alternatives [vegetarian, vegan or plant-based]. Plant-based was the clear winner,” says Lu Ann Williams, Co-Founder and Director of Innovation at Innova Market Insights. 

Aside from plant-based products, Nestlé is also targeting other high-growth categories, including coffee and the premiumization of KitKat chocolate bars. Earlier this week, KitKat Gold was unveiled in Europe.

By Gaynor Selby