A Cork ‘healthy ketchup’ brand has been snapped up by Ballymaloe
Necessity is the mother of all invention.
And when Cork entrepreneur Loretta Kennedy discovered there were no healthy ketchup brands on the market that cut the mustard with her three kids, she set about coming up with her own secret sauce.
Now her company MamaBear Foods, set up in 2018, has been acquired by sisters Maxine and Rosaleen Hyde of Ballymaloe Foods, who recognised the gap in the market for Kennedy’s reduced sugar and gut-friendly ketchup, which has proven to be very popular with parents looking for healthier alternatives for their families.
“As mums with young families we are concerned about the lack of Irish-made, healthy snack and food options for young children,” said Hyde.
“We love Loretta’s concept and existing products and decided we would like to be a part of the next chapter of MamaBear foods. We really look forward to working with Loretta.”
Having started the business in her kitchen. Kennedy is looking forward to working with one of the most recognisable condiment brand in the country to grow the range:
“From day one we have been about using only the best natural ingredients, keeping the sugar content down, using recyclable packaging, and adding in helpful ingredients like prebiotic fibre,” she said.
“We started this business from my kitchen in Cork, just like Yasmin Hyde did with Ballymaloe Foods. We are delighted to join the Ballymaloe Foods company and to grow our brand with the wonderful team there.”
MamaBear Foods is already available in many Irish supermarkets including SuperValu, Dunnes Stores and Aldi. The brand will remain the same while Ballymaloe Foods will help to grow the brand nationally.
