Plant-based foods innovator Sweet Earth Foods plans to launch its first-ever Vegan Jumbo Hot Dogs and the reformulation of the Sweet Earth Awesome Burger 2.0. The Nestlé-owned company says this comes just ahead of grilling season, amid rising demand for plant-based meat alternatives.

Hemp as a protein base
Hailed as “new and improved,” the updated Sweet Earth Awesome Burger 2.0 will be the first plant-based burger on the market to use a mix of pea and fava in addition to hemp protein as its base.

However, the Sweet Earth Vegan Jumbo Hot Dogs are made using a pea and potato protein base, promising to deliver “an authentic hot dog experience.” 

Pledged to sizzle in a skillet, they also promise to be a sustainable swap for summer eating occasions. 

Sweet Earth says that using these proteins delivers “a beefier texture and more authentic burger experience.” 

This launch closely follows Sweet Earth’s release of a new plant-based Spicy Kung Pao and Sweet Korean BBQ Jerky as part of a strategy to increase nutritious savory snack options. 

The new creations are developed by Sweet Earth’s culinary teams in collaboration with Nestlé’s R&D Center for food in Ohio, US, and Nestlé’s global R&D network using proprietary technologies and plant proteins expertise. 

The new releases also offer consumers a look into the reformulation process, highlights Sweet Earth Foods. 

“The Sweet Earth Awesome Burger saw incredible success at its launch in 2019, but at Sweet Earth Foods, we’re constantly asking ourselves and our customers how we can make our plant-based proteins tastier, more craveable and more like traditional animal-based proteins,” says Ryan Riddle, senior product development specialist with Nestlé and Sweet Earth. 

“Over the last year, we have continued our product development, listened to consumer feedback, and made the Awesome Burger 2.0 even juicier with a beefier flavor and meatier texture.”

Availability online and in-store
The new Vegan Jumbo Hot Dogs are available now at selec Ahold grocery stores in the US, including FreshDirect, with greater availability at Kroger stores in August. 

The new Awesome Burger 2.0 will be available throughout the US this summer at Target, Whole Foods, H-E-B, Sprouts and Amazon Fresh.

“Our relentless approach to innovation allows us to offer consumers tasty, nutrient-diverse protein options they can feel good about incorporating into their diets,” says Sara Wheeler, Sweet Earth Foods general manager. 

These launches come as Innova Market Insights’ #2 Top Ten Trend 2021 “Plant-Forward” continues to gather pace this year. 

The market research highlights the accelerated demand for new plant-based formats and more sophisticated alternatives throughout 2021 as plant-based trends reach global phenomenon status.

Nestlé’s plant-based focus
Nestlé continues its series of plant-based product launches in a range of global markets and continues its plant-based alternative proteins R&D. 

The Swiss food giant says it is going “beyond the bun” to create local dishes, dairy alternatives, coffee mixes and confectionery. 

It also recently launched a plant-based food and dairy-free Milo in Asia, a dairy alternative for Europe, plant-based lattes in Japan and a vegan KitKat.