Dive Brief:
- The Burt's Bees personal care brand has made its functional beverage debut by launching its new line of plant-based protein shakes, according to a news release.
- Besides being made without most allergens, "All formulas provide 15 grams of protein per serving from five sources: pea, rice, flaxseed, sunflower seed, and oat – all selected to achieve high digestibility and a complete essential amino acid profile," according to the news release.
- Burt's Bees has also stayed true to its holistic health roots by making ingredient choices based on sustainability and environmental impact.
Dive Insight:
Burt's Bees may have started out as a personal care brand, but the shift to food and beverage products can still be natural and practical. The company already focuses on health and wellness, and it sources ingredients that are accessible to health-conscious consumers.
Natural ingredients could overlap between Burt's Bees' personal care products, such as its lip and skincare lines, and food and beverage products to an extent. As the brand expands its manufacturing capacity and ingredient sources, it could release more functional and better-for-you food and beverage products in the future.
Unilever is another major global company to have found a way to manage a supply chain for both personal care and food and beverage products. Burt's Bees' portfolio may not be as far-reaching as Unilever's, but Unilever is proof of concept for the viability of this expansion.