Slideshow: New products in the plant-based space

KANSAS CITY — The plant-based category is expanding as more companies debut products that appeal to a wider range of consumers. To tap into the roughly 10% of US adults who identify as vegan or vegetarian, food manufacturers are innovating within the plant-based space. From dips to burgers to protein bars, applications of plant-based ingredients continue to make their way to retail.

MOSH, the brain health brand founded by Maria Shriver and her son Patrick Schwarzenegger, added three plant-based protein bars to its lineup in response to consumer requests for vegan options. The newest offerings are formulated with a blend of soy, pea and pumpkin protein and flavored with fruit.

“A lot of people have friends or family members who are plant-based,” said Mr. Schwarzenegger in an interview with Food Business News. “It’s obviously a large growing trend in the CPG category, specifically in the bar set, and it just allows us to cast a wider net with more individuals that we weren’t being able to hit with our grass-fed whey and collagen line. That was really the reasoning for it.”

Food manufacturers are taking notes from menu trends to inspire their latest plant-based burger alternatives. A variety of companies, including Beyond Meat, MorningStar Farms and Plantasia Foods, added new plant-based burgers to their portfolios.

For a more detailed examination of plant-based trends, check out Food Business News’ latest webinar, during which our editors look at new products and startups making waves in the market for meat- and dairy alternatives. Keith Nunes, editor; Monica Watrous, managing editor; and Sarah Straughn, digital associate editor, discuss the market trends, new product trends and innovative startups driving change within the plant-based category in this 30-minute on-demand webinar.