AMC Group announced that it has opened a new plant-based and allergen-free production facility, aiming to supply the growing demand for healthier lifestyle choices.
In addition to providing over 100 jobs to the local area, the site is totally free from all of the 14 main allergen groups and produces freshly-squeezed juice and plant-based and free-from products, the company said.
AMC Group said that the 55,000 sq ft factory is now fully up and running. It provides juice, yoghurt and soup to a range of brands, large and small retailers and food service restaurants.
The factory aims to provide the growing consumer demand for healthier food options. Indeed, as more consumers make the switch to plant-based diets for a variety of reasons, plant-based and free-from products are in growing demand.
According to AMC Group, the factory can squeeze 960 oranges per minute, delivering 50% of the fruit weight as juice via six juice extractors. The juice facility has the capability to provide the whole of the UK with freshly-squeezed juice.
AMC Group has secured Sainsbury’s as its first business, providing it freshly-squeezed juice. Additionally, it has just begun production of a number of premium lemonades for Waitrose’s summer range, Truly Scrumptious.
“There’s an exciting future in store for the site. Plant-based products are in huge demand and there is a gap in the market for a dairy-free factory producing fresh, quality products at scale,” Mike Bullock, Fresh Foods Director at AMC Group, commented on the announcement.
Several businesses have begun to accommodate the healthier lifestyle choices made by consumers. Greggs (LON:GRG) saw its sales boosted by the launch of its vegan sausage roll, targeting consumers who pursue a plant-based diet.
Nestle (SWX:NESN) announced last year that it was set to make additional cuts to sugar, salt and saturated fat quantities in its product in order to draw in more health-conscious consumers.
The food industry is not the only sector to begin accommodating the switch, with the UK’s first 100% vegan hotel opening in the Highlands.
According to the Guardian, the number of people in the UK eating a completely plant-based diet quadrupled to 600,000 between 2014 to 2018.
