Upfield, owner of the former Unilever spreads business, has relaunched the Flora brand with a 100% plant-based recipe.

The company is aiming to tap the booming interest in plant-based and vegan diets with the relaunch, which has removed buttermilk from the spread and introduced an improved flavour.

The relaunch includes its retail and professional range and all four variants – Flora Original, Flora Light, Flora Buttery and Flora Dairy Free. In addition to the new recipe is a revamped look featuring a sunflower to highlight the brand’s plant-based origins.

Upfield said the products were suitable for all catering needs, including spreading, frying, baking and cooking, and added that Flora’s Dairy Free spread would be made available to caterers as part of the relaunch.

This would remove layers of complexity from the kitchen, according to the business, as caterers would no longer have to make separate meals because of fears the dairy-free offering wouldn’t deliver on taste.

“Consumer diets are changing, there is a great awareness around what people are eating and where that food comes from,” said Upfield UK and Ireland general manager Steven Hermiston. “With plant-based dishes also growing in popularity, our new range of Flora allows operators to cater to the evolving consumer demands.”

He added that foodservice professionals needed solutions to help them remove allergens without compromising on taste.

“By using Flora Dairy Free, operators can serve great-tasting dairy-free food to all consumers with total confidence.”

Upfield was created following the acquisition of the Unilever spreads business in 2017 by private equity firm KKR. Operating in 95 countries from 57 manufacturing sites, the business has more than 100 brands, including Becel, Stork, Flora, Country Crock, Blue Band, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, Rama and ProActiv.