Prepared Foods takes a look at new better-for-you foods, drinks and supplements introduced in October 2019.

Keep Moving Inc., New York, N.Y., said it began national distribution for its Gutzy Organic Botanical Gut Health Snacks, a refrigerated line.

There are two initial varieties: Pineapple, Passion Fruit with Ginger & Dandelion; and Strawberry Blueberry with Ginger & Dandelion. One pouch of Gutzy provides a serving of organic fruit, 5g of prebiotic fiber and organic botanicals. Each pouch is a 3.9oz single serving, with fewer than 100 calories and no added sugar. Each also is gluten-free, vegan, and non-GMO.

“We are seeing an explosion of functional shots with botanicals—including ginger and turmeric—in the marketplace,” says David Istier, founder of Gutzy. “Consumers are looking for cleaner and fresher options that do good to their gut and immune system. Gutzy Organic Botanical snacks respond to this consumer need.”

Keep Moving already offers four other Gutzy Energyfruit offerings—including three “Fruit & Veg” varieties and one Breakfast flavor. Its products are carried by as many as eight retailers coast to coast including Walmart, 7-Eleven, CVS Pharmacy, Publix, Safeway, Hannaford and Shaw’s.

Organic Valley, La Farge, Wis., introduced a reformulated FUEL high-protein milk shake, featuring organic protein and essential nutrients. 
Now with 50% less sugar than before, officials say Organic Valley’s shelf-stable protein shake fuels healthy lifestyles with 20g of organic protein. The MSRP for a single-serve, 11oz carton is $2.99, with four- and 12-packs also available for $10.99 and $29.99, respectively. FUEL comes in three flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla and new to the product line, Coffee.

“Consumers want options that taste great and adhere to the strict USDA organic guidelines from a company that aligns with their values,” says Laurie Drake, senior brand manager at Organic Valley. “Organic Valley FUEL provides all that and more—great taste, high protein, low sugar, and the added benefit of knowing that the product comes from our cooperative of small family farmers that are committed to upholding the highest standards of animal care.”

Drake says the organic coffee milk protein shake not only packs in 20g of pasture-raised protein, but also offers the equivalent caffeine to an 8oz cup of coffee to add even more fuel to active lives.  Organic Valley’s FUEL starts with USDA certified organic milk from the cooperative’s pasture raised cows. During the innovative ultra-filtering process, the naturally occurring sugar-lactose in the milk is reduced. The addition of a lactase enzyme makes Organic Valley’s FUEL lactose-free.

PB2 Foods, Tifton, Ga., introduced PB2 Peanut Powder with Prebiotics & Probiotics.

“This item is completely unique within our category, because no one else in the food business has produced a peanut butter powder with prebiotics and probiotics,” said Craig Entwistle, CEO of PB2 Foods. “We’re also introducing a no sugar added element as part of this product, and that is a big differentiator for us that we know will translate to sales.”

PB2 with Pre + Probiotics contains 6g of plant-based protein per 13g serving, which amounts to about two tablespoons. It also has just 60 calories and 1.5g of fat per serving, or roughly 90% less fat and nearly 70% fewer calories than traditional peanut butter.

The prebiotic found in PB2’s newest product, inulin, is a soluble dietary fiber that provides both functional and nutritional benefits, such as fiber fortification and the facilitation of calorie and sugar reduction. PB2 with Pre + Probiotics also is made with 1 billion CFUs of probiotic per serving. The probiotic bacillus coagulans, which in PB2 comes in a dried powder, is a live bacterium whose benefit is functional support for the gut.

Officials say another key ingredient in PB2’s new product is monk fruit extract.  Dried and ground to a fine powder, the monk fruit extract serves as a natural sweetener, since PB2 with Pre + Probiotics has no added sugar.

A 6.5oz jar (184g) of PB2 Peanut Powder with Prebiotics & Probiotics has an estimated $4.99-$5.99 MSRP. The product was immediately available at Walmart locations nationwide and expanded to other retail locations—as well as Amazon—starting in September.