5 companies innovating in 'novel alternatives' trend

NEXT Trends 2020 series: In an effort to help support retailers and brands, we will be publishing regular brand features for the next few weeks. Brands are selected from those that registered to exhibit at Natural Products Expo West 2020 and were curated as great examples of one of 50 trends New Hope Network is monitoring in the marketplace.

These trends are part of New Hope Network's NEXT Expo Guidebook and trend hierarchy.

Today, we look at five companies that are innovating in the "Novel Alternatives" trend within the Discovering Ailment Triggers macro force. In response to seemingly every ingredient being picked off as the cause for our discomfort, the industry looks to replacements such as coconuts, chickpeas, lentils and almonds as proxy ingredients for everyday items like bread, pasta, milk or even skin care.

1. Core + Rind

What is it? Dairy-free cheesy sauces.

Innovation: Core + Rind creamy and dairy-free Cashew Cheesy Sauce has whole, real, pronounceable non-GMO ingredients. It’s made with ingredients like pumpkin, cashews and vinegar.

2. Else Nutrition

 What is it? Dairy-free, soy-free, plant-based nutrition for babies and toddlers.

Innovation: Organic, non-GMO baby nutrition made from almonds, buckwheat and tapioca and without solvents, chemicals or hexane extraction.

3. Unbun Foods

What is it? Unbun Foods is an unconventional bakery company specializing in grain-free, gluten-free, keto bread products such as buns, baguettes, pizza crusts, tortillas and sliced bread.

Innovation: These keto, paleo, grain-free and gluten-free bread products are made from almond flour, egg white and flax.

4. Positively Plantain

What is it? Positively Plantain tortillas are made with only three ingredients: green plantains, aluminum-free baking powder and Celtic sea salt.

Innovation: Positively Plantain uses green plantains to make tortillas that are free of common food allergens. They are vegan, paleo and free from gluten, grain, corn, wheat, dairy, soy, nuts, oil and gums.

5. Banza

What is it? Banza is the first pasta made from chickpeas, with two times the protein, four times the fiber and nearly half the net carbs of traditional pasta.

Innovation: In addition to a wide variety of pasta types, Banza has introduced rice made from legumes. Banza Tricolor Rice has three times the protein, two times the fiber and nearly 30% fewer net carbs than normal rice.