Baby weaning specialist launches chilled product range

Heavenly Tasty Organics, the Northern Irish specialist in baby weaning foods, has outsourced manufacture as part of a business switch to chilled products.

The company, based at Omagh in county Tyrone, has developed a range of chilled weaning foods for babies which are now being manufactured under contract in Britain by a firm specialising in organic soups, pesto, pasta and puddings.

The move by Heavenly Tasty represents a significant development for the Northern Irish business which has specialised in frozen weaning foods since its formation in 2009.

James Blair, a director of the business formed with wife Shauna, says the decision to diversify into chilled cabinets is a response to market demand particularly in Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

"Most of the inquiries in Britain and Ireland from both retailers and customers are now for chilled weaning products. There's a clear trend away from frozen baby foods in these markets.

"While we will continue to produce frozen products for export to customers in Europe and the Middle East we will now offer the British and Irish markets our range of foods for chill cabinets.

"We have been exploring opportunities to manufacture closer to our target market in Britain, where we have serious approaches from key multiples - we already supply Tesco in Northern Ireland and Dunnes in the Republic, for some time.

"Our new manufacturer is an excellent fit for us because of its experience in producing quality organic foods. The company shares Soil Association Accreditation with us and also operates from a gluten-free factory making foods that are low in both salt and fat. The company, furthermore, has extensive experience in supplying major retailers in Britain and can help us to build on the contacts we have."

Heavenly Tasty is an award-winning pioneer of organic baby foods developed by the husband and wife team. The company has been highly commended in the Organic Food Awards organised annually by the Soil Association.

The company specialises in flavoured pureesin apple and pear for weaning babies up to six months. It also produces meals suitable from over seven months and over nine months. These recipes include minced beef and potato, spaghetti bolognese, tomato and pasta, and lentil and vegetable soup.