Edible packaging: Gousto trials Xampla’s plant-based material for bouillon cube wrappers

27 Oct 2021 --- UK recipe box service Gousto is trialing an edible wrapper made from pea protein and potato starch for its bouillon cubes. The cubes and their packaging can be dissolved by being dropped into hot water, as a replacement for existing stock mix sachets. 

The edible packaging is made by engineering and drying a pea protein material into sheets that have the same benefits as plastic, preserving the food’s flavor and shelf life. The material is also vegan and gluten-free. 

Created in partnership with Xampla, the stock cube will be piloted following 15 years of research and one year of development with the Gousto team.

The vegetable stock cubes are available in Gousto’s Indian Spiced Carrot & Lentil Soup recipe boxes from November 6-12.

The stock cube and its wrapper dissolve when dropped into hot water.Edible packaging trending
Single-use packaging continues to pollute terrestrial and marine environments, with few signs of deceleration. Closed-loop initiatives, such as recycling and using recycled materials, appear promising, but the zero waste movement is gaining popularity.

As long as they are actually eaten, edible packaging can eradicate the waste issue. R&D in this field is increasing. Earlier this year, Russian and Indian scientists created a water-soluble, edible film for food packaging, dissolving by 90% within 24 hours.

Meanwhile, UK design student Holly Grounds created instant noodle packaging manufactured from an edible and dissolvable potato starch-based film. 

Also, Wisefood and Spoontainable both offer portfolios of edible cutlery made from upcycled materials.

PackagingInsights explored various other edible applications to propel zero-waste, carbon-neutral societies in an earlier Special Report.

Reducing plastic inside and out
Gousto launched the edible packaging trials as part of its efforts to continue reducing plastic packaging in its recipe boxes. 

The company discovered it could save over 17 metric tons of plastic annually if the new edible stock cube packaging is fully rolled out. This estimation is based on 25 million approximate sales for stock sachets in 2021, with each sachet weighing 0.71 g.

The vegetable stock cubes are available in Gousto’s Indian Spiced Carrot & Lentil Soup recipe boxes from November 6-12.Further advancing its eco-credentials, the recipe box company recently joined Xampla in becoming a certified B Corporation. 

This certification was achieved in part by cutting plastic by 50% in Gousto’s boxes by switching to more cardboard packaging. The company also launched the Eco Chill Box, an “innovative insulator” made of recycled cardboard to keep ingredients fresh in boxes. 

Other Xampla strides
Xampla is a spinout from the University of Cambridge, UK, developing novel plant-based materials. The commercialized plant protein material it has created performs like synthetic polymers, but is completely plant-based, edible and home compostable. 

PackagingInsights previously spoke with Xampla about how it mimicked spider silk to create marine-degradable bioplastic. The company’s CEO Simon Hombersley elaborated on the dramatic impact it could have on the industry in a video interview.

By Anni Schleicher