KANSAS CITY — The keto craze continues.
The number of new food and beverage launches in the United States boasting the keto claim have almost doubled within the past year, according to Mintel’s Global New Product Database. Keto products accounted for 1.2% of total food and drink launches between June 2019 and May 2020, then that number jumped to 2.3% between June 2020 and May 2021.
Think!, a subsidiary of Glanbia PLC, is expanding its reach in the keto category with two new Think! Keto Protein Bars: Chocolate Mousse Pie and Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Dough. Sweetened with erythritol, the gluten-free, keto-certified bars contain 10 grams of milk and whey protein and 2 to 3 grams of net carbs.
“We’ve received tremendous response to our first Think! Keto Protein Bar, and our team is thrilled to expand the offering with new flavors that provide the delicious taste and high-quality ingredients people expect,” said Perri Gordon, vice president and general manager for Glanbia Performance Nutrition’s Healthy Lifestyle Brands. “We launched think! Keto Protein Bars over a year ago and they attracted immediate interest. Excellent reviews (4.9/5 stars), incredible demand and outstanding repeat sales showed us that we had achieved something special with our Keto Protein Bars. They truly taste like a treat that melts-in-your mouth, while delivering high protein and keto low carb, low sugar values.”
Cappello’s has created new certified keto pizzas featuring crust made with turnips, almond flour, cage-free eggs, mozzarella cheese, flaxseed and coconut flour. Certified gluten-free, the lineup includes plain Keto Pizza Crust, Keto Cheese Pizza and Keto Buffalo Ranch Pizza.
“Not only do these delicious pizzas meet the basic nutritional desires of keto enthusiasts, keto diet dabblers, general low-carb seekers and health-conscious consumers, they are also intentionally crafted to satisfy the consumer the way a classic slice of pizza would,” said Ben Frohlichstein, co-founder and co-chief executive officer of Cappello's. “Our country has a love for pizza baked into our cultural DNA, and our team at Cappello's has taken inspiration from that and from those trying to do something better for themselves through their diet.”
Orgain is offering new Keto-Friendly Protein & Waffle Mix, made with almond flour, oat flour and pea protein. The gluten-free, vegan mix is sweetened with erythritol, monk fruit and stevia and contains 5 grams of net carbs.
New from Good Planet Foods is a line of individually-wrapped, keto-certified plant-based cheese wedges. The vegan, Non-GMO Project verified wedges are made with coconut oil and chickpea protein and come in three varieties: original, pepper jack and smoked gouda. Each wedge contains 60 to 70 calories and 6 grams of fat.
“The plant-based cheese segment is growing extremely fast, but the potential is far greater than we are seeing,” said Bart Adlam, co-chief executive officer of Good Planet Foods. “We are committed to growing the segment by making it easy for consumers to make a sustainable choice and choose plant-based. With this innovation, we are delivering an allergen free, keto-certified, plant-based snackable cheese wedge that delivers all the creaminess, satisfaction, and taste of dairy cheese.”
Don Pancho Authentic Mexican Foods is debuting keto-friendly, grain-free tortilla chips and tortillas, made with cassava flour and flax seeds. The products are soy-free, paleo friendly, Non-GMO Project verified and gluten-free. The tortilla chips come in three flavors: Smoky Queso, Sea Salt and Hint of Lime.
“We’re upping our tortilla game,” said Ricardo Baez, president of Don Pancho. “Consumers are looking for healthier and better-for-you options, including non-grain flours and controlling carbs. These grain-free tortillas and chips deliver the same great taste and texture that generations of families have come to enjoy from Don Pancho.”
