Asda is adding nearly 50 vegan products to its shelves this Christmas.
The range will feature a wide variety of vegan party foods, including BBQ Jackfruit Bao Buns, Char Sui Mushroom Bao Buns, and a Mexican-Style Vegan Selection.
A vegan turkey roasting joint will also be on offer as well as plant-based stuffing balls and a savory yule log wrapped in pastry. For dessert, options include a vegan Christmas Cottage (similar to a traditional gingerbread house). In total, there are 48 vegan products in the range.
“Christmas is always the most anticipated time of the year,” said Jo Johnson, Asda’s Senior Manager for Own Brand Innovations, in a statement. “Based on events so far in 2020, this year’s festive season may feel a little different for all of us.”
She added that if it is safe to do so, Christmas will help “bring together loved ones from up and down the country” and “make up for any lost time.”
Amid Pandemic, Plant-Based Diets Rise in Popularity
In the UK, flexitarian and plant-based diets have risen in popularity over the last few years. But the pandemic has led even more Brits to change their eating habits.
A recent Mintel report found that 25 percent of Millennials see plant-based food as more appealing due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Alex Beckett, associate director of Food & Drink at Mintel, said in a statement that global interest plant-based food is up. He added: “It may well be that the pandemic is accelerating this trend.”
Johnson added that at Asda, consumers can get all the food they need to cater to everyone “under one roof.”
She said: “We’ve worked together with our suppliers to make sure customers don’t miss out on anything as we recognize that buying habits over the year have changed and customers are much more mindful of their outgoings.”
Asda isn’t alone, Tesco and Waitrose are among the other UK supermarkets that have announced new vegan Christmas food. The former will be launching a No-Turkey Roast Crown, No-Chicken Drumettes, and No-Prawn Firecracker Dippers, among other options. The latter is launching Breaded Vegan Baking Melts and Festive Filo Swirls.
