Alpro launches fortified plant-based drinks and yoghurts for kids

BELGIUM – Alpro, a plant-based brand owned by Danone, has introduced a new product line specifically designed for children, addressing concerns from parents about healthy food options.

The new range includes a chocolate-flavoured oat-based drink, a strawberry-flavoured soya drink, and soya-based yoghurt alternatives in vanilla and strawberry flavours.

“The new product range is a tasty way to help parents introduce their children to new foods,” the company stated.

The products are dairy-free and vegan-friendly, offering 30% less sugar than similar items available for children. They are fortified with key nutrients, including calcium, vitamin D2, iodine, and vitamins B2 and B12. The range is free from artificial colorings, preservatives, and flavorings, and is naturally lactose-free.

Tom Kerr, Head of Category Management and Commercial Planning for Plant-Based at Danone, noted that parents often struggle to find options that are both nutritious and enjoyable for children.

He stated, “Our new Alpro Kids range addresses this dilemma by offering genuinely delicious plant-based options that kids love, providing a source of essential nutrients for healthy growth, all with less sugar than comparable products.”

The new Alpro Kids products are available in 200ml cartons with paper straws for the drinks, priced at a registered sales price of £0.90 each. The yogurt alternatives are sold in 115g pots, with a pack of four priced at £2.25.

The products are designed to fit into the growing trend of flexitarian diets, where plant-based foods are incorporated alongside traditional options.

Kerr added, “With flexitarian diets continuing to be popular across households, the new product range is a tasty way to help parents introduce their children to new foods.”

Alpro shifts to 100% British oats for oat Milk

Recently, Alpro announced a major shift to using 100% British oats for its oat milk range.

The move, backed by a multimillion-pound investment, aims to support local farmers, reduce emissions, and meet growing demand for sustainable plant-based products. 

The company has partnered with Navara Oat Milling in Kettering, located less than 10 miles from its factory, and will source oats from farmers within an 80-mile radius of the mill. The transition reflects consumer preference for brands that support local businesses. 

Tom Kerr, head of plant-based at Danone UK & Ireland, said, “We know that people like to buy from brands that support local businesses.”

“Moving to 100% British oats at Alpro in the UK means we can invest more in local businesses, like our farmers and our local oat mills, bringing a new quality recipe to our customers that tastes great.” 

The investment has funded upgrades to the Kettering facility, including new production equipment and utilities, enabling the site to produce 58 million litres of oat milk annually, about a quarter of its total plant-based drink output.

The new oat milk lineup, featuring original and no-sugars versions, is already available with a recipe high in fibre and enriched with calcium, iodine, and vitamins D2 and B2. 

Subscribe to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa, the Middle East and around the world. SUBSCRIBE HERE