Expo West: Plant-based Innovations and Snack Bars Line Extensions

Natural Products Expo West saw a plethora of new product launches, and we are digging back into our notebooks to highlight some of what we found. Here’s a roundup of the latest plant-based innovations – spanning kimbap to bao buns and alt-honey – as well as some notable new snack highlights from BTR Nation, Perfect Snacks, Nature’s Bakery and more.

Konscious Foods

Plant-based brand Konscious Foods unveiled a trio of new products, including a Korean kimbap roll packed with rice, marinated carrots, chili crunch mushroom protein, pickled cucumber and sesame seeds, with a side of sriracha sauce.

BTR Nation

Building on its mission to “unjunk” vending machines everywhere, BTR Nation unveiled a protein-plus superfood bar delivering 15 grams of organic complete plant protein with no added sugar and 500 mg of a functional mushroom blend. Peanut Butter Crunch Protein+, made with crushed peanuts and quinoa crisps, is the first flavor in the lineup with an additional option launching later this year.

Bionature

Organic Italian food brand Bionature introduced a new line of sourdough-based pastas at this year’s show. The products are made in Italy and come in Spaghetti, Penne Rigate and Fusilli shapes. They are made with organic and non-GMO ingredients, and the unique, fermented grain base is designed to help aid digestion and support gut health.

Mellody

Plant-based honey maker Mellody unveiled its latest innovation – Hot Honey – that carries Spicy Habanero flavors. This marks the company’s first expansion beyond its original plant-based honey product, which made its CPG debut at the trade show in 2023. Mellody Hot Honey will be available in 12 oz. squeeze bottles for $12.

Harmless Harvest

Coconut product brand Harmless Harvest is working to use more parts of its flagship ingredient with the launch of a Rich and Creamy variety of its plant-based yogurt. Available in Unsweetened Vanilla Bean and Unsweetened Plain, the new yogurt iteration utilizes more of the coconut meat, a spokesperson explained, resulting in a Greek yogurt-like texture. The new variety will be available in both single-serve 4.4 oz. cups as well as multi-serve 8 oz. tubs.

Whoa Dough

Gluten-free and allergen friendly snack bar brand Whoa Dough has merged two of its top flavors to create a new Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bar. The new flavor contains 150 calories and 3 grams of protein. The Cleveland, Ohio-based brand also unveiled its new packaging design during the show which now features food photography on the top section of each bar wrapper.

OmniFoods

Green Monday-backed Omni Foods introduced a slate of new plant-based innovations at this year’s show including Vegetable Kimbap, Tuna Sushi, Lion’s Mane Mushroom Steak and four varieties of Sweet Bao Buns with Red Bean, Molten Chocolate, Matcha and Black Sesame fillings.

Perfect Snacks

Refrigerated bar brand Perfect Snacks added a new Chocolate Brownie SKU to its original protein bar line. The product is made with a peanut butter and honey base as well as Fairtrade chocolate and contains 290 calories, 12 grams of protein and 12 grams of added sugar.

Simply V

Cream cheese manufacturer Franklin Foods used this year’s expo to expand with a new brand of plant-based cream cheeses under the name Simply V. The almond-based products come in three varieties: Original, Strawberry and Onion & Chive, each packed in an 8 oz. cup. The products are also available for foodservice use in single-serve cups.

Nature’s Bakery

Soft-baked bar brand Nature’s Bakery introduced two new mini innovations to its Fig Bar lineup with new 1 oz. single bar packs in Raspberry and Blueberry flavors. The smaller format results in a 100-calorie snack that is plant-based and contains real fruit and whole grains. The brand also expanded its soft-baked brownie bar line with the launch of a new Salted Caramel SKU.

King Arthur Baking Company

King Arthur expanded further into the bakery category with the debut of a new line of mixes for Pull Apart Garlic Bread, Flat Bread, Pretzel Bites and Focaccia. The products are designed to be ready in one hour and can be prepared by adding water and either butter or oil, depending on the variety. Each 16.5 oz. box contains the mix, a yeast packet and a seasoning packet.