Key Takeaways:
- Bel Group, the company behind Babybel and GoGo Squeez, has announced a strategic partnership with food technology company Foodberry to develop healthier snacks using real fruit.
- Bel’s U.S. division will utilize Foodberry’s plant-based coatings made from real fruit to create innovative products that offer nutrition, convenience, and taste in new formats.
- The first product from this collaboration, combining real fruit and protein in a convenient snack format, is set to launch in select U.S. markets later this year.
Insightful Collaboration:
Despite the increasing focus on health and wellness, Americans still fall short on fruit consumption. Foodberry’s plant-based coatings aim to address this gap by providing nutritious and delicious snacks that are also convenient.
Developed in prestigious labs at Harvard and MIT, Foodberry’s products mimic fruit with protective coatings rich in fibers, phytonutrients, and minerals. These coatings can be used to create a variety of snacks, including fruit-coated ice cream bites and savory bites with real vegetable wrappings.
Carolina Cespedes Virguez, general manager of GoGo Squeez at Bel US, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating that it will make fruits, veggies, and dairy more accessible through delicious and nutritious snacks. The collaboration aims to bring unique snacking options to the market.
With a focus on a fruit snack containing protein, Bel and Foodberry align with consumer preferences and the latest dietary guidelines. Fresh fruit and vegetable sales have shown modest growth as consumers prioritize their health and opt for minimally processed foods.
Despite these gains, a large portion of the U.S. population still falls short of the recommended fruit intake. The partnership between Bel and Foodberry strives to make healthier choices more convenient and appealing to consumers.
Marty Kolewe, CEO of Foodberry, highlighted the shared mission of creating healthier snack options that taste great. The collaboration between Bel and Foodberry is pushing boundaries in the snacking category, offering consumers real fruit and functional ingredients in innovative formats.
Food scientists are exploring novel ways to incorporate fruits’ health benefits into various applications. Startup Novella, for example, produces fruit-derived ingredients through cell cultivation, bypassing the need for the entire plant.