Dutch plant-based ingredients manufacturer Fooditive Group is launching GoPeasy, a pea-based dairy-free beverage that mimics the taste of milk. 

The beverage will be immediately available for sale to consumers and aligns with the company’s strategy to offer healthy and affordable products. 

“While developing our portfolio, we noticed the growing demand for plant-based products that are both healthy and tasty,” says Moayad Abushokhedim, food scientist and founder of Fooditive.

“We were on a mission to create a drink that combines the ‘milk’ formula with Fooditive’s products,” Abushokhedim says. 

Boost on flavor and nutrition
GoPeasy contains no added sugars, is low in fat and free of lactose. It has a natural, clean taste, balanced with a rich mouthfeel. 

Moreover, it is packed with a high nutritional value and a thirst-quenching taste. The product offers on-the-go consumers a full sensory experience.

The drink will be available in three flavors: original with the “real” taste of milk, lemon-strawberry for a refreshing twist and chocolate-cherry for a culinary sensation.

Fooditive also supports ingredient upcycling as sustainability is a “core value” of the company. For this reason, GoPeasy is sweetened with a Fooditive natural sweetener made from grade 3 apple and pear scraps. 

Plant-based drinks rise
Consumers are increasingly looking for plant-based alternatives, with Innova Market Insights pegging “Plant-Forward” as one of its top trends of the year. 

The widening range of plant proteins available for formulators to experiment with is clearly evidenced. In addition to pea, fava bean and hemp are pegged as the fastest growing proteins tracked in meat and dairy alternative launches globally between 2017 to 2019.

The market researcher also highlights that branding with more specific plant protein claims is booming, with terms such as “plant power” more commonly used. 

The use of plant-based claims for global food and beverage launches had a CAGR of 37 percent over the 2016 to 2020 period. 

Recently, Nestlé launched Wunda, a pea-based beverage that the company says is “epic in everything you would otherwise use milk for.” 

Wunda will launch first in France, the Netherlands and Portugal, before rolling out in other European markets. 

According to Nestlé, it can be challenging to find one great plant-based milk alternative for every use. Most cereal-, nut- or pea-based milk alternatives have a specific taste, are low in protein, or don’t mix or foam well in hot beverages.

In similar moves, Sweden-based Sproud launched a pea protein-based milk alternative which “challenges” almond milk products by offering a more sustainable and tasty option, according to the brand. 

Sproud uses less water than traditional dairy or almonds, making it one of the most sustainable plant-based proteins, the company says. 

Also, pea milk packs in five times the protein of almond milks and three times the protein of oats milk per serving, Sprout supports.

Circular ingredients
A circular economy model is implemented in the production process of Fooditive products.

Fooditive is currently funding up to €6.5 million (US$7.7 million) for 2021 to change the plant-based food industry.

Innova Market Insights also pegged “Transparency Triumphs” as a top trend for 2021, noting that six in ten consumers are interested in learning more about wher their products come from.