Pulled jackfruit

Pulled jackfruit is an alternative to meat

Sainsbury’s has launched seven new veg-based meal solutions including what it claims is the first ‘pulled jackfruit' available in UK supermarkets.

The Sweet & Smokey BBQ Pulled Jackfruit can be stuffed in a taco or shredded over a burger, the retailer said, adding that “its ability to imitate pulled pork is extraordinary”.

Pulled jackfruit was hailed as a Google Trend in 2016, and has been promoted by street food outlets such as Dishoom, Spice Box and Club Mexicana.

Two of the new products are made with out of spec mushrooms with the veggie sausage-style ‘Shroomdog’, as well as mushroom mince. The new range also includes cauliflower steaks that come with a spicy marinade, and an Indian-inspired cauli burger.

Product developer for fresh produce, Georgina Lunn, said: “With over a quarter of meat-eating Brits actively reducing their meat consumption, there is a clear appetite for exciting and new ways to introduce more vegetables into our lives.

“Sainsbury’s new range of plant-based products provide innovative, inspirational solutions for everyday meals – from our supermarket-first pulled jackfruit, to the super-satisfying ‘Shroomdogs’, we’re really proud to be offering a wide choice of flavours and can’t wait to hear how our customers are using them.”

The new range launched in store and online on 1 January 2018 and can be found in the vegetable aisle.

It comes as Sainsbury’s issued a call to suppliers at its annual farming conference to present any innovative ideas to technologists as part of its strategy to differentiate itself from competitors.