Health, bold flavours and authenticity run through this month’s line‑up of new launches.
Urban Farm‑Produce Prepared Mane
Urban Farm‑Produce has expanded its meat‑free offering with Prepared Mane, a new whole‑food range made from UK‑grown, organic Lion’s Mane mushrooms.
The business is aiming to carve out a niche in the alternative meat category, pushing this fungi into new formats - but, importantly, without synthetic ingredients or ‘ultra processing’.
Positioned as a clean label, plant-based option, its new launch includes smoked and unsmoked vegan ‘steaks’ and a ‘mince’, designed to have a neutral base, rather than acting as a meat‑mimicking replacement.
The products target both retail and foodservice, with a limited pre‑launch batch released online to capture early consumer insight from health‑focused and flexitarian shoppers increasingly seeking minimally processed, locally sourced choices.
For operators, the products can be cooked in minutes and are available in bulk formats. Optional rubs and marinades are also on offer to allow customers to make a customised dish.
With its hero product grown in the UK, Urban Farm-Produce is looking to target consumers after a transparent, sustainable alternative.
The launch follows the brand entering a £1.9M seed round last month. Investment raised through the seed round will directly fund revenue generating infrastructure, expand production capacity, and accelerate the launch of new Lion’s Mane formats for retail, foodservice, and the health sector.
The firm is planning to expand its fruiting room capacity, establish a substrate production facility for full vertical integration, enhance operational efficiency to drive margins toward its 24% target, and fuel brand expansion through premium retail and direct to consumer channels.
Founder and CEO, Elliot Webb said: “Consumers now expect better food security, stronger sustainability and exceptional flavour, and Lion’s Mane delivers all three. We’re not trying to imitate meat or mask ingredients, we’re delivering whole food nutrition in its purest form, grown right here in Britain.”
Nestlé Yorkie Caramel Pretzel
Nestlé Confectionery has expanded its Yorkie lineup with a limited‑edition Salted Caramel Pretzel Duo, now rolling out across the UK and Ireland.
The chunky bar comprises caramel‑flavour milk chocolate with crunchy pretzel pieces and is designed to attract shoppers looking for indulgent but familiar flavour twists.
The launch marks Yorkie’s 50th birthday, with this new latest addition made at Nestlé’s York facility where the brand was first launched.
All products in the range are made without artificial colours or flavours and use Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa. While the milk used in product is from First Milk farmers based in southwest Scotland.
Rachel Beaufoy, marketing manager for Nestlé Confectionery, said: “We know that Yorkie fans love a chocolate bar with substance, and the new Yorkie Salted Caramel Pretzel Duo delivers just that. The combination of smooth caramel flavour milk chocolate and crunchy pretzel pieces brings extra texture to the bar while staying true to the brand’s chunky format. We’re really looking forward to hearing what people make of it!”
The bar is available in stores nationwide this week, supported by ongoing brand visibility through Yorkie’s year‑long milestone activity.
London Essence Zero Sugar Tonics
London Essence has expanded its premium mixer portfolio with two new launches: Zero Sugar Tonic Water and Riviera Tonic Water.
Designed to tap into health‑led and at‑home mixology trends, Zero Sugar Tonic is a high-end zero‑sugar mixer, free from artificial sweeteners. While its Riviera Tonic, which is made from rosemary extract sourced from the Italian coast, taps into the demand for authentic, flavour-forward experiences.
The launches come as demand for healthy drinks continues to prove popular, with 66% consumers proactively making choices to improve their health and 23% reducing sugar from their diets.
Russell Goldman, managing director for breakthrough brands at Carlsberg Britvic added: “Our mixing range is entering a new era with the launch of two standout innovations: Zero Sugar and Riviera tonic waters. They respond to growing consumer demand for premium, healthier choices when socialising, without compromising on taste. As the UK’s only premium zero sugar tonic free from artificial sweeteners, we’re proud to offer a natural, great-tasting option that delivers the best of both worlds.”
With distribution across Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Ocado, Amazon and soon Morrisons, the new tonics have a RRP of £4.00 for 6 x 150ml.
Peperami Doritos collaboration
Peperami and Doritos have teamed up to launch a limited‑edition BBQ Sweet Tang range.
The new product introduces Doritos’ fastest‑growing flavour – which accounts for 37% of category sales – into Peperami’s meat snack formats, including a five‑stick multipack, minis and singles.
The move aims to attract young adults and flavour‑driven snackers, while strengthening Peperami’s position in the expanding protein snacking category – which has doubled in value over five years to more than £335 million.
With one in five UK households now seeking out high‑protein snacks, the brand expects the new launch to broaden usage occasions spanning work breaks, travel, TV nights and meal‑deal purchases.
Peperami’s Minis ranges is a top-performing lunchbox staple, with the brand looking to broaden their appeal with families as the new flavour rolls out.
Meanwhile, with their long shelf-life, Singles are geared towards consumers eyeing up convenient, on-the-go protein options.
The launch is backed by a £3.5 million plan covering social, digital, connected TV, influencer activity and shopper marketing.
Karina Caricco, head of Peperami marketing, said: “This iconic partnership brings together two bold, much-loved brands. By pairing Peperami’s protein-packed sticks with Doritos’ distinctive flavour credentials, we are opening up new usage occasions and giving retailers a major opportunity to drive incremental sales. We expect this collaboration to attract more young adults into the category and further accelerate Peperami’s momentum.”
