The company is expanding its presence in the plant-based space with the introduction of the beverage.
Swiss food and beverage giant Nestle is debuting a new milk alternative brand, Wunda, to boost its presence in the plant-based space. The company said in a release Wednesday that the new product features a neutral flavor when compared to other plant-based milk and has a number of environmentally friendly attributes.
The brand was developed by intrapreneurs in about six months under Nestle’s R&D Accelerator initiative using the company’s existing expertise in dairy and plant protein.
“This truly versatile, delicious pea-based beverage is an excellent source of protein and fiber. Its great neutral taste, the ability to use it for different applications and the fact that it is carbon neutral make it an ideal plant-based alternative to milk,” said Stefan Palzer, chief technology officer for Nestle, in a statement. “Our young intrapreneurs created this great product based on their own consumer needs by leveraging our longstanding expertise in plant-based proteins and diary.”
Wunda will first appear on store shelves in France, the Netherlands, and Portugal before it is debuted in other European markets. The product range includes chocolate and unsweetened offerings.
“There is a quiet food revolution underway that is changing how people eat. In Europe, at least 4 in 10 shoppers are already choosing some dairy alternatives. People are asking for better plant-based beverages that are nutritious, versatile, and taste great,” Cedric Boehm, head of Dairy for Europe, Middle East, and North Africa at Nestle, said in the release. “We have the expertise in plant-based and experience in dairy to be a the forefront of this shift, and we’re sure people will be convinced by Wunda.”
The Carbon Trust-certified products are enriched with calcium and contain vitamins D, B2, and B12. Peas used to produce the alternative milks are sourced from producers in France and Belgium.
Business research firm Global Market Insights Inc. forecasts that the global market for plant-based milk will hit $21 billion by 2026.
Article Credit: powderbulksolids