While there may be no such thing as a free lunch, there most definitely are perfectly free™ non-dairy frozen bites on the market in the Boston, Massachusetts area. Just introduced under the Incredible Innovations label, the bonbon-sized frozen treats for allergy-conscious consumers are free from soy, dairy, gluten, egg, wheat, peanuts, almonds, cashews, fish and shellfish ingredients.
Distributed by Cambridge-based WikiFoods, Inc, the perfectly free bites consist of a creamy vanilla core encapsulated in coatings of cocoa, salted caramel, cherry or blueberry. Though rich in taste, each 20-gram bite’s calorie count ranges from just 25 to 35. The producer says this makes for a healthy alternative to most novelty treats on the US market – especially for people with common food allergies who seek treats to satisfy their sweet tooth cravings.
Offered at a suggested retail price of $4.99 per eight-pack, the line is now available in the freezer sections of select stores including Star Markets, Big Y, Market Basket, Crosby’s and Conelan’s.
“We are so excited to introduce perfectly free treats,” said Jud Horner, WikiFoods’ chief marketing officer. “Approximately 16 million households have at least one member in their home with a food allergy. And on top of that, 33 million people eat like they have an allergy. We’re tapping into the needs of these consumers and are eager to provide the health- and allergy-conscious with a delicious dessert they can trust.”
Inspired by nature, WikiFoods technology is able to wrap a vast range of foods and beverages in edible packages made of natural ingredients. Like the skin of a grape, the encapsulation process isn’t just a barrier against water loss and contaminant entry – it’s also a vehicle for nutrition. This proprietary innovation, which stemmed from an idea from bio-creator and Harvard Professor David Edwards, won a SIAL Innovation Special Award in Paris three years ago and was first introduced to consumers via a partnership with Londonderry, New Hampshire-headquartered Stonyfield Organic in 2013.
Edwards, in collaboration with designer François Azambourg, biologist Don Ingber and other partners, launched WikiFoods as a startup company in 2012. Since then it has raised Series A investments from top US venture capital funds, Polaris Partners and Flagship Ventures, to push research and development and create a robust platform.
