February 14, 2019: Global Food Industries (GFI), a world-class value-added frozen food manufacturing company that is part of Albatha Holding, one of the largest conglomerates in the UAE, was nominated for two major categories during the recently concluded Gulfood Innovation Awards 2019. The company’s newly launched Healthy Farm Plant Protein Burgers and Healthy Farm Biscuits were shortlisted as finalists in the ‘Most Innovative Halal Product’ and the ‘Most Innovative Baked or Confectionery” categories of the prestigious competition, respectively.

The Awards takes place annually as part of the mega Gulfood show, the largest gathering of food, beverage, and hospitality suppliers ever assembled globally.  During the awarding ceremony at the Dubai World Trade Centre, an event attended by high-ranking government ministers and officials as well as industry leaders.

Jacek Plewa, GFI General Manager said: “These two nominations are a great honor for us and an enormous recognition of our products. Further inspired by these latest accolades, we will continue to innovate and provide our society with new and healthy products to promote overall well-being and healthy living. This is our responsibility to the families and local communities that we serve. We have ventured into plant-based protein food, under the new ‘Never from meat’ Healthy Farm platform because it is aligned with our commitment to the environment & animal welfare and the efforts to achieve a prosperous, healthier and happier future for the consumers.. Likewise, our Healthy Farm Biscuits are formulated with the proper amount of natural and superfood ingredients in line with our initiative to highlight the significance of healthy and mindful eating.”  

Healthy Farm Plant Protein Burgers contain a healthy blend of superfoods with high amount of proteins, vitamins, and minerals. They have 20 per cent more proteins, 40 per cent less calories, 50 per cent less fat, 40 per cent less carbs, 60 per cent less sodium, 70 per cent more calcium, and 60 per cent more iron than ordinary chicken burgers.

“The zero-cholesterol burgers – which are available both in regular and spicy flavors - have no preservatives, no monosodium glutamate (MSG), no artificial colors, no trans fats, no dairy, no eggs and no gluten. The Healthy Farm Plant Protein Burgers are also suitable for vegan and vegetarian consumers,” said Plewa.

The new burgers are the company’s response to the growing demand for plant protein food sources. Recent reports show that 40 per cent of consumers in the UAE have expressed keenness to try healthier meat alternatives, GFI is the first and only local company to address this new shift in customer’s food preference in the UAE.

“Additionally, producing plant-based burgers entails the use of significantly less water, less land, and less energy than the traditional process. It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions.  This is critical as less than four per cent of what animals eat goes into meat and milk production. The rest is released as methane, a high-potent greenhouse gas,” continued Plewa.

The tasty and nutritious Healthy Farm Biscuits, on the other hand, have no artificial colors, no trans fats, no genetically modified organisms (GMOs), no eggs, no sesame, no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial sweeteners, and no artificial preservatives.

These first-of-its-kind biscuits contain 30 per cent less fat and 25 per cent more fiber than ordinary biscuits. They come in five varieties-- Bran and Chia; Kale and Quinoa; Honey and Oats; Steel cut oats; and Quinoa. Infused with superfood ingredients, each product comes with unique nutrient combinations of Omega 3, amino acids, antioxidants, proteins, iron, beta glucans, among others.  

”In keeping with Healthy Farm’s healthy and wellness commitment, the ‘Healthy Farm My Pledge’ initiative was launched, which represents a pledge to decrease Year-on-Year (YoY) the amount of salts, fats, sugars, and additives contained in its range of food offerings,” Plewa concluded.

Offering all natural, tasty, and superfood-infused products in frozen food and biscuits categories, GFI aims to reach more than 2 million consumers across the Middle East region guided by its 'Nothing to hide, the choice is yours' principle.

The awarding ceremony of Gulfood Innovation Awards 2019 was followed by the glamorous awards gala dinner also held during the trade show.