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Betting on the ubiquitous affinity for chocolate, companies are now trying to create high-quality, tasty sweets that incorporate functional benefits — steering both into the supplement and snack aisles for merchandising — and looking at a variety of functions and ingredients: everything from vitamins that taste like conventional candy to prebiotic European chocolate bars.

Halal frozen meal, sauce and snack brand Saffron Road is mapping another category entry, launching shelf-stable meals this month. The new microwavable pouches come in two Indian-inspired flavors: Chickpea Masala and Delhi Potatoes.

To-date, the plant-based meat world has been largely dominated by sausage, burger and ground beef alternatives — Alpha Foods, however, sees a future in faux fowl. Investors are supporting this outlook, with the brand announcing today the close of a $28 million round of investment.

Michigan-based food and beverage consulting group JPG Resources is growing its capabilities — and eyeing New York City’s entrepreneurial scene to help do that. After opening a new office last month, the company has an array of new offerings slated to launch this spring — fueled by seasoned food industry experts joining the team.

Kellogg and Tyson prep for plant-based launches; Yofix raises $2.5 million and more in this week’s Checkout.

At the Winter Fancy Food Show, Aylon Steinhart, co-founder of plant-based dairy brand Eclipse, discussed the company’s path to market, having launched its soft serve ice cream bases and packed ice cream drums into San Francisco and New York restaurants and scoop shops in 2019.

Mondelēz International announced last week the appointment of Nancy Pak as CEO of premium cookie brand Tate’s Bake Shop. Pak succeeds former CEO Maura Mottolese, who is now CEO of hot sauce brand Cholula Food Company.

In a presentation at NOSH Live Winter 2019, Talia Halperin, head of brand management at BuzzFeed, explained how an online experiment became BuzzFeed’s Tasty — dubbed the “Internet’s favorite kitchen” — and evolved into a thriving e-commerce business as well.

Banking on consumer appetites for clean ingredients and responsibly-sourced meat, entrepreneur and investor Zubin Mehta launched Union Snacks into retail last week with two varieties: Charcuterie Crisps and Trail Mix Squares.

The new year kicked off with a slew of better-for-you treats hitting shelves, with new frozen desserts from Ben & Jerry’s and O’MY, keto-friendly confections from Halo Top and Birch Benders and limited edition Valentine’s Day offerings from LesserEvil and RXBAR. Check out the gallery for notable new products launched this month, which also includes the latest from Late July and Kiva Confections.