New product aimed at combating frailty in the elderly to be launched
Welsh food and drink producers will once again be at the fore of an important London exhibition, Food Matters Live, showcasing new products, the latest developments and proving once more that innovation and quality are at the heart of the food and drink revolution in Wales.
The Welsh Government is supporting 12 companies to exhibit at Food Matters Live. Lesley Griffiths AM, Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, said:
“Food and drink is a key priority sector for the Welsh Government. We are supporting the industry to develop and move in positive new directions, embracing new technology and advancements in research and development.
“Our action plan ‘Towards Sustainable Growth: An Action Plan for the Food and Drink Industry 2014-2020’ sets out ambitions to grow sales within the sector by 30% to £7 billion by 2020 and raise the profile of Welsh food and drink on the national and international stage. Food Matters Live is an important platform for the Welsh food and drink industry, and we know from past experience that the companies involved will find success from being part of this event."
Plas Farm, an Anglesey company that has become the UK’s leading frozen yoghurt manufacturer will unveil their new high-protein, high energy frozen yoghurt/ice cream product aimed at helping those at risk of frailty, consume an enriched source of protein in an enjoyable and convenient way.
This innovative new food, brought about in collaboration with the NutriWales cluster and the Food Technology Centre in Llangefni, is set to become an important source of nutrition for recovering patients and elderly people who might be finding it difficult to eat more traditional protein sources like meat, fish and cheese.
Commenting on this exciting new product, Plas Farm’s Business Development Director, Rhian Williams, said:
“Protein is an essential part of a balanced diet, but we know that for the elderly and those recovering from illness, it can be difficult to consume the quantities needed to combat frailty. It has been recommended that the NHS adds high-protein and high-energy products to their standard menus, but often these foods are unappetising. We believe that our new high-protein frozen yoghurt and ice cream will help speed recovery in patients and help combat frailty in the elderly.
We have collaborated with leading nutritionists on this product so that it is high in protein and other essential nutrients, and yet retains the amazing taste experience that customers readily associate with Plas Farm foods."
Plas Farm is among 12 other Welsh food and drink companies coming together for the third year running at Food Matters Live, London, all looking to showcase how Wales is growing in confidence when it comes to inventing new food products that appeal to an increasingly health-conscience consumer.
Another company preparing for a launch at Food Matters Live, is Aberdare based Lovemore Free From Foods, part of Welsh Hills Bakery. The dedicated gluten, wheat and dairy free manufacturer, will be unveiling its completely redesigned vibrant branding which spans its entire range of gluten free desserts.
Welsh Hills Bakery Managing Director, Peter Douglass, explained:
“Lovemore products are now sold right across the world and our exciting new Lovemore brand identity is designed to cement our position as a market leader in the ‘gluten free’ market. We were keen to create a brand that would stand out from our competitors, and this new look will make it easier for customers to identify the gluten, wheat and dairy free range. Not only do our gluten free deserts taste great, the product will now look great, too.”
The good news continues for Welsh manufacturing business Brighter Foods with their latest product, Wild Trail. Their raw fruit and nut bars are gluten, dairy, and refined sugar-free and are made with just 5 simple and natural ingredients.
Following a national listing of the range with Tesco at the end of July, Wild Trail’s Seed and Nut bar has been shortlisted in the sweet snack category of this year’s Good Choice Quality Food Awards.
Brighter Foods founder Robin Williams says it’s another great moment for Wild Trail:
“At Brighter Foods we pride ourselves on innovation and it’s great to see our first Wild Trail products being sold in Tesco stores and being recognised by the Quality Food Awards. For us Wild Trail is all about using simple ingredients to give health conscious consumers a delicious and nutritionally balanced bar so we’re delighted to be recognised for this award”.
Food Matters Live is held at ExCeL in London from 22 to 24 November 2016, and is the only cross-sector networking event bringing together over 600 food and drink organisations and leading professionals in a range of fields spanning from retail to nutrition and manufacturing to healthcare, to enable collaboration and innovation to support a sustainable food landscape for the future.
Michael Costain, Director of Food Matters Live said:
“With 15,000 visitors expected to attend, Food Matters Live is fast becoming the best place for retailers, buyers and manufacturers to discover the latest products and innovation, shaping the future for food and drink. We are delighted to be hosting so many Welsh companies, all looking to showcase how innovation is driving availability of a wide range of healthy and nutritionally, better for you food and drink products.
Welsh Government is also hosting a regional Food Innovation event in their offices in Swansea on
10 October 2016 which will provide an excellent platform for the producers ahead of Food Matters Live.”
There will be 12 Welsh businesses present this year under the Cymru/Wales banner, presenting products that range from gluten free cakes, nutritious soya based foods, to vegetarian Indian snacks.
Last year’s attendance at the event proved very lucrative for the Welsh food and drink producers exhibiting with the overall commercial gain of over £700K and some securing deals with retailers such as Sainsbury’s and Tesco.