The Sanitarium Health Food Company, which celebrated its 125th anniversary last year, is continuing its history of innovation in the health food market – launching a new generation of plant milks, which incorporate superfood ingredients for targeted health benefits.
Sanitarium has been one of the leaders of the alternative milk market in Australia since the release of its soy milk under the So Good brand in 1986. Made at the company’s Central Coast facility in New South Wales, Plantwell joins Sanitarium’s market leading portfolio of plant milks, which includes the So Good range and food service brand, The Alternative Dairy Co.
Free from dairy, lactose, preservatives, artificial colours and flavours, the Plantwell range includes soy-based High Protein Bone & Gut, Cholesterol Lowering oat milk, and almond milk for Immune Defence.
The Plantwell range is the latest addition to the Sanitarium portfolio, featuring all three of the leading plant milks in Australia to appeal to a wide consumer base. Each of the oat, almond, and soy products include complementary health benefits from natural plant ingredients, an Australian first.
The high protein soy milk features seaweed calcium to build bone density and prebiotic fibres to nurture gut flora, plant sterols help the oat milk to lower cholesterol, and the almond milk includes yeast-derived beta glucans to strengthen immune defences.
Grown by nature, proven by science
The Plantwell project was led by Sanitarium brand manager and dietitian, Anja Laudrin, who said that the company spent over four years researching superfood and superplant ingredients, and balancing tastes and textures, to create a versatile range of plant milks with science-backed health benefits.
“The process included reviewing and collating comprehensive scientific evidence to substantiate the food- health relationships of key ingredients and notifying FSANZ, so we are able to use and communicate the clinically proven superplants and their health benefits,” said Laudrin.
“We’re excited to be launching Plantwell and we will continue researching the latest science and driving product innovation, so we can make healthy food and beverages that are delicious and accessible to all Australians.”
Laudrin told Food & Drink Business that the Plantwell range was made from predominantly local ingredients, with the Protein Bone & Gut containing 85 per cent Australian ingredients, and the Cholesterol Lowering and Immune Defence products with an overwhelming 93 and 96 per cent respectively.
She also said that there was plenty of consumer research conducted prior to and during the development process – from the choice to include three kinds of milk, down to the taste and textures of the finished products.
“Great taste and nutritional benefits to match health needs are key consumer priorities along with increasing demand for products that are naturally functional. A range including all milk types was also demonstrated to have strong consumer appeal,” said Laudrin.
“The health benefits selected address common health concerns consumers face and complement the respective plant milk types in terms of formulation and sensory requirements, and consumer appeal.”
With recent debates around the legitimacy of functional ingredient claims, Sanitarium has put in the work to demonstrate transparency. Laudrin broke down the exact ingredients used, their quantities, and the efficacy of their health benefits for a person with a balanced diet.
Plantwell High Protein Bone & Gut contains 10g of protein, and 500mg of seaweed calcium to build bone density. Each serve contains 2.5g of FOS prebiotic fibres, clinically proven to promote the growth of bifidobacteria, with beneficial effects shown after just one week. The soy milk also incorporates B1, B2, B3, B9, B12, iodine, iron and magnesium.
Plant sterols are the functional ingredient in the Cholesterol Lowering oat milk, which have been clinically proven to lower LDL cholesterol. Each serve contains 1g, and research has shown that 2 serves can lower LDL cholesterol by up to 9 per cent within three weeks. Alongside 300mg of calcium and vitamins B2 and B12, the product is high in fibre.
Plantwell Immune Defence contains 250g of Wellmune beta glucans per serve, derived from baker’s yeast. These have been clinically proven to strengthen immune defences, with effects shown within 10 days. It also includes vitamins C, E, B6, B9, B12 and iron.
All three of the vegan-friendly Plantwell milks provide half the necessary daily dose of vitamin D, derived from mushrooms, and are low in sugar and saturated fat.
The Plantwell milk range will be available in Woolworths stores this month for RRP $4.50, with broader distribution later in the year.
