Unilever to launch ‘healthy’ Knorr line

Unilever is understood to be launching a number of “healthy” sauces and soups under its Knorr brand, as part of its “vitality” strategy created to capitalise on the trend towards health and wellbeing.

A new line of three-minute sauces is plannedfor later this year and will include four cheeses, mushroom and creamy tomato variants.

Spring and winter vegetable, chicken and spinach, and potato and leek varieties of healthy soups are also due to be launched, as well as new Knorr stock cube variants, including spring onion, and basil and garlic.

It is thought the products, recently launched in some South American countries, will arrive in the UK in a few months. All will strongly reflect Unilever’s “vitality” positioning, with no artificial flavours or colourings.

Unilever chief executive Patrick Cescau, who willstep down next year, has invested heavily in developing products related to healthy living across Unilever’s brand porfolio.

The company has increased advertising spend and research in this area, which it calls “vitality”.

Knorr first extended into the health and wellbeingcategory with the launch of the Vie Shots range in the UK three years ago.

The line is aimed at making it easier for people toget the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables per day. Last year, Unilever launched a range of natural soups under the Knorr brand in Europe, initially in Germany.

The Eat Colour variants are aimed at health conscious consumers and are marketed by concentrating on the natural colours of the ingredients of the products