Panera Bread’s U.S. bakery-cafes will add a new version of its seasonal pumpkin spice latte and a new line of “clean” bottled beverages that are free of artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, and preservatives as delineated on the company’s “No No List.” Panera’s brewed teas, lemonades, smoothies, bottled milks, and juices are already free of these artificial ingredients.
Panera’s new pumpkin spice latte will be made with milk, pumpkin, whipped cream, spices, and salted caramel sauce. “We’re offering a ‘Real Pumpkin Latte,’ made entirely without artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives, and letting the goodness of real pumpkin, milk, and spices do all the work,” said Dan Kish, Panera Bread’s head chef.
Testing is also underway to roll out “clean” versions of the company’s vanilla, caramel, and chocolate syrups, used in other barista beverages. In addition, the bottled beverage line-up will add other “clean” offerings including BluePrint cold-pressed Beet Red and Green juices, Harmless Harvest Coconut Water, and bottled Joia Grapefruit Chamomile and Cardamom Soda.
Panera’s announcement comes the same week that Starbuck’s announced it too has reformulated its Pumpkin Spice Latte. The drink that caused quite the debate last year will now be made with pumpkin puree and without caramel coloring.
