Prepared Foods showcases new functional foods, drinks and supplements introduced in June 2020.

Four Sigma Foods Inc., Los Angeles, introduced three varieties of Four Sigmatic plant-based protein powders: Peanut Butter, Creamy Cacao and Unflavored.

“Our focus at Four Sigmatic is to create products that upgrade daily habits and ultimately help people better handle the overwhelming demands of modern living,” says Tero Isokauppila, Four Sigmatic founder and CEO. “Our protein line was developed for people who struggle to trust the ingredients and sourcing of current protein brands but still need the “one-and-done” effect of convenient, clean and delicious plant-based nutrition to help them perform at their best.”

Isokauppila says Four Sigmatic’s new plant-based protein includes 18g of USDA organic plant-based protein, sustainably sourced from various regions around the world with nutrient-dense superfoods, including peas, hemp and pumpkin seeds, chia, coconuts, and pumpkin.

The company adds that each serving of protein also has an effective dose of 1,000mg mushroom extracts and 500mg of adaptogens.

Four Sigmatic protein powders come available in boxes of 10 single-serve packets offered at $3.99 suggested retail price (SRP) as well as 15-serving canisters for a $55 SRP. Four Sigmatic’s Plant-based Protein is available online at FourSigmatic.com. More products are available in 55 countries and national retailers in the US such as Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, Amazon and Thrive Market.

Muniq Inc., Los Angeles, introduced a line of nutritional shakes to bolster gut health, improve blood sugar control and strengthen immunity.

Founder Marc Washington says Muniq’s patent-pending shakes are formulated with a high concentration of resistant starch, which has been proven effective in more than 200 clinical studies to help naturally balance blood sugar along with other health benefits.

With most Americans only getting a mere fraction of the recommended intake of resistant starch and fiber in general, one serving of Muniq includes 15g of prebiotic resistant starch fibers, fulfilling 50% of daily fiber needs.

Shakes debut in four flavors: Vegan Chocolate, Vanilla Crème, Mocha Latte, and Chocolate. Washington says each shake is formulated to be a complete meal with a balanced profile of protein, fiber, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals to help satisfy hunger for up to four hours. They are free of sugar and artificial ingredients. Muniq shakes are available for as low as $3.50 per full meal, including over 30% savings on subscription, with free delivery.

Washington says he created Muniq in honor of his late sister, Monica, to provide people a better option to transform their health and lives through nutrition.

“We all need more hope in our lives these days. I created Muniq to empower people to regain control of their health, naturally, with products they actually enjoy ... products that Monica would have loved,” he says.

Orgain Inc., Irvine, Calif., greeted early March with 13 new “clean nutrition” foods, drinks and supplements.

New foods include an organic plant-based protein pancake and waffle mix. Available in Whole Wheat and Classic Gluten Free varieties, they deliver 10g of organic plant-based protein without dairy or soy ingredients.

Building from the continued success of its collagen line of products, Orgain added a full line of Collagen Zero Waters in four flavors: Strawberry Lemonade, Watermelon Lime, Blood Orange, and Black Raspberry. Each offers 10g collagen and zero sugar. They are lightly sweetened with stevia and monk fruit extract. Contains type I and III collagen, no GMOs, no artificial flavors or sweeteners, and made without dairy and soy ingredients.

Orgain also enters the sports nutrition category with products for pre- and post-workout recovery. There’s a premium line of Organic Sport Plant Based Powders, which includes sport energy, recovery, and protein powders.

Other products include a Collagen Zero Protein Shake with zero sugar and 20g of type I and type III collagen to support healthy hair, skin, and nails. It’s made without soy, gluten, or dairy ingredients and like all Orgain products, free of artificial flavors, sweeteners, colors and preservatives. Shakes come in Chocolate and Vanilla flavors. Orgain also debuted an Organic Plant Based Kids Protein Shake with 9g of organic pea protein, 25% less sugar than the leading conventional brand, 25 vitamins and minerals, and a blend of organic fruits and veggies. Available in Chocolate and Vanilla flavors.

Beyond Better Foods, New York, N.Y., expanded its Enlightened frozen desserts brand with new Fruit Infusions, a line of functional frozen fruit bars.

Fruit Infusions are frozen fruit bars infused with adaptogens and contain just 3g-5g of sugar, which is 70% to 80% less than other fruit bars and popsicles, officials say. Each flavor is naturally sweetened and made with simple ingredients. New varieties are:

Watermelon + Soothe, infused with turmeric, black pepper and rosemary, a trio known for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Strawberry + Chill, infused with lavender, chamomile and lemon balm, herbs traditionally used for promoting relaxation and relieving stress.

Pineapple + Renew, infused with dandelion root, turmeric and ginger root, three botanicals popular in herbal teas known for supporting a healthy digestive system.

Coconut + Immunity infused with elderberry, hibiscus and aloe, plants traditionally recognized for promoting immune health.

“Our brand purpose is to provide consumers with feel-good, low-sugar frozen desserts, so one of our top priorities is finding new ways to put a healthful spin on beloved treats,” said Enlightened Founder and CEO Michael Shoretz.

Enlightened’s Fruit Infusions (MSRP $5.99) are available nationwide at Whole Foods and will launch on EatEnlightened.com this summer. Enlightened was one of the first low-calorie, low-sugar ice creams on the market.

Friska LLC, Minneapolis, started its national introduction of 10 dietary supplements all focused around improved gut health.

“FRISKA was inspired by my personal desire to help others improve their health,” said FRISKA Founder John Peine. “After experiencing my own health scare I began researching enzymes and probiotic spores as a way to improve gut health. I spent over a decade in the retail industry so I knew that the solution had to be easy and the product must work.” Prior to founding FRISKA, Peine spent 15 years at Target as an executive in their merchandising ranks. “FRISKA was born out of my own belief that good health is for everyone.  Whether you are just starting your wellness journey or you are an accomplished wellness warrior, these innovative products will help you along the way.”

The FRISKA portfolio consists of 10 proprietary enzyme blends combined with potent probiotics that are condition-specific including: Immunity Boost, Mood Boost, Energy Boost, Nightly Reboot, Dairy Ease, Carb Ease, Keto Boost, Gluten Ease, Women’s Daily and Men’s Daily.

Peine says FRISKA’s the finished product is a month’s supply packaged in a cobalt blue glass bottle within a modern paperboard tube that is recyclable and biodegradable. FRISKA debuted in May at CVS Pharmacy, CVS.com, Whole Foods stores nationwide as well as Amazon, retailing at $29.99. For more information on FRISKA, visit www.getfriska.com.

Z Natural Foods, West Palm Beach, Fla., expanded its functional superfood beverages line with a new Organic Golden Milk variety.

“Turmeric, the primary active ingredient in Golden Milk, produces the bright yellow color of this delicious golden drink,” says Jonathan Parker, director of nutrition sciences for Z Natural Foods. “Our customers also really enjoy that our Golden Milk contains a compound called curcumin that supports a healthy inflammatory response and may activate the production of T-cells, special disease-fighting cells, that may support a healthy immune system.”

Z Natural Foods says each serving of Organic Golden Milk contains a blend of organic coconut milk, organic turmeric root, organic cinnamon, organic ginger root, Himalayan salt, organic cardamom, organic black pepper, and organic clove. To make one cup of Golden Milk, consumers mix two tablespoons of Z Natural Foods’ Organic Golden Milk powder with 4oz to 6oz of hot water and add any desired sweetener, milk, or creamer.

“One serving of Organic Golden Milk daily may be the perfect way to get all the tasty benefits far exceeding the nutrition in a typical cup of coffee,” says Parker.

Z Natural Foods Golden Milk is easy to mix, drink, and store, making it convenient for travel or home use. Organic Golden Milk is $19.99 a pound (25 servings) and comes in an air-locked, freezer-tight, resealable, stand-up foil pouch and can be safely stored for two years.