Private Label gives energy

PLMA chef Berry Pronk is not a fitness icon but well known of his cuisin and tasting activities presenting current innovations of choosen categories from all over Europe. He finds that energizing foods and drinks are no longer the domain of college students and fitness athletes, but also an alternative to a busy urban or on-the-go lifestyle for younger generations. Product developments highlight health and sustainability considerations.

Protein balls

Rossmann’s enerbio Protein Balls are available in Cashew&Cacao flavour for extra kick before a work out or an extra snack during a long day. This will satisfy many types of consumers. The product weighs sixty gramms and contains three balls rich in fibers and protein. After tasting chef Berry realize that it is like a regular chocolate truffel but it is healthier because of the fibers. Actually it is really good.

Dry fruits

Next product is from France, Intermarché’s dry apple and strawberry slices. The product is in the retailer’s Paquito l’essentiel innitiative which implies that nothing else just one apple and two strawberries are in the bag. No added sugar. The retailer sures that it is made only from French fruits. It is a real healthy on-the-go snack. You can really tast the fruit and it is perfect for guests and childrens too.

Energy bars

German drug chain Müller carries high protein Skyn bars under it’s Fit+Vital private label. Skyn is a traditional Icelandic dairy product, rich in probiotics and quickly winning the German consumers over. The bars contain no added sugar, are high in fiber and protein. They come in three different flavours: apricot, raspberry&cranberry and blueberry. The retailer describes them as „snacks without remorse”. The chef tries the blueberry one and finds it has a full fruitty flavour and it is rich in taste and it is perfect for on-the-go.

Bio energy drinks

Chef Berry chose Spar enjoy bio-energy drinks in classic and mango&maracuja flavours from Austria. These products are made of organic ingredients, low in sugar and calories and do not contain artificial sweeteners. The Classic version has 59% less sugar than the conventional energy drinks which tastes as it is way less sweet than all the other energy drinks. As it is organic and the packaging is very attractive the chef likes very much.

Smoothie ball

At last but not least there is a very unusually product from Rossmann enerbio range: Smoothie ball. The vegan, lactose and gluten free cherry-strawberry ball is innovative and typicly convinient. The retailer mentions the concept is simple: an effortless and delicious smoothie. The Smoothie  ball can be mixed with water, milk, fruit juice, or any plant based milk replacement. Chef Berry mixed his energy drink with oat milk and tastes well the strawberries’ and cherries’ original flavour. It is lighter than a regular smoothie.

These products certainly proove that energy foods and drinks are undergoing an evolution and retailers are catching the wawe. Many current trends have impacted the category which is growing now, more than ever. It is a great opportunity for private label.