KaterVeg! vegan sausages and vegan meatballs have been awarded gluten-free certification, making them suitable for coeliacs as well as consumers on plant-based diets.
The two products are part of an extensive vegan range offered to the UK foodservice sector by Northamptonshire, England-based frozen food distributor Central Foods.This new accreditation brings them in line with the KaterVeg! vegan mince, which is also suitable for gluten-free diners.
“Demand has been growing for ‘dual’ dietary criteria products, such as those that are both vegan friendly and gluten-free,” said Central Foods Managing Director Gordon Lauder. “As a result of the impact of Covid-19, caterers must now ensure their menus work even harder, so many are including fewer products but ensuring these are suitable for a maximum number of dietary requirements and menu dishes. At the same time, interest in plant-based options has been growing.”
Made with seasoned textured soya protein and high in protein, low in saturated fat and sugar, and a good source of fiber with salt levels below PHE 2024 targets, the products were launched earlier this year.
The KaterVeg! vegan and gluten-free sausages, which weigh 50 grams each, are skinless and not pre-fried, can be oven cooked or grilled and are presented for a range of menu items including sausage, mash and veg, toad-in-the-hole, hotdogs or as part of a vegan-friendly cooked breakfast. The vegan meatballs serve nicely as pizza topping and as filling in hot sub-rolls.
The KaterVeg! vegan mince, which can be used as a meat-free and gluten-free menu swap in a wide range of dishes ranging from spaghetti bolognaise, tacos and chili to lasagne and shepherd’s pie, was launched in 2020. Simple to use, straight from the freezer, directly into recipes and it doesn’t need browning or frying beforehand, the product comes in a free-flow format to allow caterers to avoid wastage by using as much or as little as they like. In addition, it has no shrinkage during cooking. This means there are more portions per 1kg bag than the equivalent 1kg bag of minced beef or lamb.
