'The Simple Root' launches dairy alternative in the UK with McCain Foods backing

‘The Simple Root’ is a new player in the growing plant-based foods market, offering an exciting range of dairy alternative products. The brand uses unique IP technology developed in partnership with McCain Foods to create the taste and texture of dairy using root vegetables, herbs, and spices, and is a key addition to McCain’s continued investment in innovation. Product pipeline includes cooking sauces, dips, and cheese alternatives – with global roll out to key markets coming soon

The Simple Root, an exciting new global plant-based brand backed by world-leading FMCG McCain Foods, will launch in the UK later this year, harnessing the power of the potato to create delicious alternatives to dairy-based foods.

Launching in the UK later this year, with a global rollout across key markets to follow, the range includes versatile cooking sauces such as bechamel, truffle and cheese, and pesto, cream cheese, and a range of dips such as roasted garlic and herb and smoky chipotle.

Consumer demand for plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy is growing rapidly and showing no sign of slowing, with the value of the UK plant-based market estimated to be worth over GBP 600m (about USD 820m ) . The Simple Root is the latest major brand in this category to launch in the UK, offering dips, spreads, sauces, and ‘cheeses,’ all with minimal processing, a low carbon footprint, and locally sourced ingredients.

Products within the range offer a simple “route” to enjoying a variety of foods for snacking, cooking, and sharing that offer accessibility and food freedom for all, without compromise on taste.

The Simple Root uses innovative technology to transform potatoes and other root vegetables into a creamy taste and texture which is essential to many consumer’s favorite dairies treats, but without artificial flavors and allergens such as dairy, nuts, soy, and eggs. The technology to create this patented ingredient base was developed in collaboration with McCain Foods, the world’s largest manufacturer of frozen potato products, and Pilot Lite Capital.

This partnership supports McCain Foods’ drive for innovation beyond its core portfolio, including recent investments in Truleaf (vertical farming), NUGGS (plant-based chicken nuggets), and Fiddlehead (a data science company). McCain Foods have been innovating new ways to enjoy the potato since 1957, and now brings its expertise to The Simple Root.

Mark Hodge, Marketing Director for McCain:
 

"Since its very beginning, innovation to meet changing customer needs has been central to McCain, from Lighter Home Chips to Ready Baked Jackets. We are always looking for ways to make our delicious products better for consumers and better for our planet, and the plant-based dairy alternative category is an exciting new space for the business."

"We are pleased to bring our global commercial expertise to The Simple Root team, who share this vision, and to work with them on developing exciting solutions to meet increasing customer demand for plant-based options."

The Simple Root team brings a wealth of experience in the development and marketing of food brands to the table, led by Global CEO David Behringer and UK CEO Louise Wymer.

Lora Spizzirri, Global Chief Technology Officer:
 

"Our patented technology truly delivers a creamy and smooth ingredient base so we can create dairy and nut-free versions of consumers favorite foods, like cooking sauces, dips and cheese spreads, making it easy for them to easily upgrade their food choices, but with no sacrifice to taste or texture."

Louise Wymer, UK CEO of The Simple Root:
 

"The versatility of our unique ingredient base enables us to quickly follow our UK launch with a robust innovation pipeline of plant-based products from The Simple Root, like desserts that offer the indulgence that consumers crave, but without dairy or nuts. We can’t wait to launch this game-changing range in the UK."

Shipments of The Simple Root’s initial UK range will be available soon, with an innovative pipeline of exciting new products and a global rollout coming soon.