Iceland just launched a footlong vegan sausage roll in time for Veganuary.
The 12-inch No Porkies sausage roll combines seasoned vegan meat with “flaky, golden” puff pastry. According to Iceland, it’s an ideal snack for both vegans and flexitarians alike.
The veganized British classic joins a wide range of vegan options now available from the supermarket chain, including new No Chick Southern Fried Strips — vegetable protein inside southern fried-style breadcrumbs.
Both new products are part of the Iceland No Meat brand, recently acquired by the LIVEKINDLY Collective. Since its launch in 2018, No Meat has produced mince, meatballs, sausages, chicken fillets, pizzas, its award-winning No Bull burger, and various other frozen ingredients and ready meals.
According to Iceland’s trading director Andrew Staniland, No Meat is the “world’s largest frozen vegan range.” But the supermarket is also home to the exclusive frozen Greggs vegan range, including its notoriously popular vegan sausage rolls and steak bakes, as well as Chicago Town’s jackfruit-topped pizza.
UK consumers demand vegan food
A record 500,000 people signed up to this year’s Veganuary challenge to eat only plant-based foods for the duration of the month. Over 25 percent of those taking part are based in the UK, and the majority of British supermarkets are running advertisements and/or dedicated promotions.
Research carried out by the investment bank UBS found that an increasing number of UK customers, in general, are trying plant-based products. Between March and November 2020, the number of people who have tried vegan meat increased from 48 percent to 53 percent. More than 50 percent of those who tried plant-based foods planned to continue eating them at least once per week.
Up to 41 percent of Brits say they are ditching meat and fish to help fight the climate crisis. While 25 percent of the UK’s millennials are now more inclined to eat vegan foods since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. In general, meat-free food sales increased by 40 percent nationwide between 2014 and 2019, according to market research firm Mintel.
Iceland’s No Porkies vegan sausage roll and No Chick Southern Fried Strips are both available in-store and online. The sausage rolls cost £1.50 per pack of two, while a pack of the vegan chicken strips costs £3.00 per 450g.
