CHICAGO — Lightlife Foods, a pioneer in the plant-based foods category, is introducing a new product line the company described as its “most significant innovation launch” in its 40-year history. Leading the pack is a burger with 20 grams of protein, 2.5 grams of saturated fat and 0 grams of cholesterol. The Lightlife Plant-Based Burger is made from pea protein, coconut oil and beet powder and has a juicy, beefy texture according to the company.

Other new products from the Maple Leaf Foods Inc. subsidiary include Lightlife Plant-Based Ground, Lightlife Plant-Based Bratwurst Sausage and Lightlife Plant-Based Italian Sausage. The line is free of genetically modified ingredients, gluten, soy and artificial flavors.

“With 40 years of leadership in plant-based food innovation, we understand taste is a priority for all consumers,” said Dan Curtin, president of Lightlife Foods. “We didn’t join the plant-based category overnight — we’ve long been pioneering the industry. Our new burger is delicious thanks to decades of culinary know-how, and we know we’ll be serving up an entirely better experience for consumers who want a break from traditional meat or whose palates are craving a new adventure. It’s not science — it’s just good food.”

The burger is expected to hit grocery store shelves beginning in late March. Along with the launch, the brand is unveiling a new look. Lightlife Foods said it plans to roll out the redesign across its full product portfolio throughout the summer.

“Driven by our best-in-class R&D team, we’ve been able to develop these amazing new products in record time,” said Michael Lenahan, vice president of marketing. “This core line will attract new consumers to the brand and delight those who have been on the plant-based journey with Lightlife over the last 40 years. The new branding is more vibrant and contemporary while staying true to our rich heritage in natural foods, reflecting the category’s growing consumer base. Combined with our core line innovation, the biggest campaign in the brand’s history, and a rich pipeline of new products across our broad portfolio, we are excited to continue to lead this dynamic category in the US and Canada into the future.”