At this year's Naturally Good Expo 2021 from May 30th to 31st at the ICC in Sydney, retailers can try the latest products from healthy, chemical-free products to reusable kitchenware.
Chemical-free cleaning and hygiene products collect steam in a pandemic
In the United States, sales of aerosol disinfectants rose almost 400 percent in March 2020 compared to the previous year.
In particular, chemical-free products are growing in popularity as more and more people become concerned about the environment and what it can harm.
Victoria-based exhibitor Euclove is launching its new All Natural Dish Soap this month to meet customer demands.
"We have developed a unique blend of essential oils that help eliminate strong food odors," says CEO Srini Ranganathan. “Our natural hand wash, one of our top sellers, will also be back on the market soon.
"Our customers have asked for thicker liquid soap, but since our products do not contain synthetic thickeners, we had to redesign them and are very happy with the new product."
Euclove also makes a wide range of products, including the popular bedding and mattress spray, disinfectant sprays, and kitchen and bathroom cleaners. The products contain natural ingredients such as eucalyptus, clove, tea tree oil and lemongrass.
The company was founded in 2017 by Mr. Ranganathan and his wife Chelsy. However, according to Mr. Ranganathan, the family's natural product journey began more than 50 years ago when Chelsy's mother, Pat, decided to make her own natural cleaning products.
“Pat sourced her own herbs and plants to keep her home clean and fresh and to correct skin conditions from itchy bites to sunburn.
“After passing on their special blends and natural remedies, we created our own homemade products. We would get endless positive comments and give away our pre-made mixes. So we decided to start a business and prove to people that natural cleaners clean as well as chemical ones. "
Sales have been strong and Euclove will also be releasing a new wash fluid and body wash later this year.
The reusable kitchen utensils help avoid single-use plastic
Despite growing environmental awareness, it is estimated that more than 12 billion tons of plastic waste will end up in landfills by 2050.
While some plastic bags, bread bags, and freezer bags can be recycled, some cling film for the kitchen is generally not recyclable, according to the Recyle Now group.
Little Mashies will showcase reusable straws, stretchable plastic, pouches and snack bags, Apple Green Duck will showcase reusable shopping bags and Honey Bee Wrap will showcase durable wax packaging.
Another company, The Swag, is also showing its range of vegetable and fruit bags. The bags not only eliminate the need for cling film, but also the longevity of food. 
“In Australia, every person wastes around 140 kg of food each year, most of which is fruit and vegetable material.
"As a waste-conscious mother, I was fed up with throwing away rotting fruit and vegetables," says managing director Peita Pini. "Not only does this cause a lot of food and plastic waste, but it is literally money down the drain.
“I started The Swag almost five years ago. Made from several layers of unbleached cotton without seeds. When moistened with water, the products inside can breathe and provide moisture. They stay fresher and richer in nutrients for weeks in a refrigerator. "
As of 2016, Ms. Pini's business has sold more than 500,000 swags.
"The timing was right, as there is a big global focus on protecting the environment, using fewer resources and producing less food and plastic waste."
The swag has now been expanded to include 100 percent natural and plastic-free Swag Produce Bags, Bread Swags, Beauty Swags, Tea Swags and Lunch Swags.
"Here in Australia we are having discussions with a commercial kitchen as many restaurants are keen to minimize food waste. We are also currently doing a research and development project with Applied Horticultural Research to prove the effectiveness of The Swag's ability to produce fruit and to keep vegetables fresh for weeks. "
Why your pan could help save the planet
Every year, millions of single-use pots and pans contribute to landfill overflow.
With most people going through dozens of frying pans in their lifetime, mechanical engineer Mark J. Henry decided in 2014 to create a frying pan that is better for the health of people and the planet. The result was a “world's first” seamless pan made from a single sheet of iron, “free of toxins, heavy metals, synthetic coatings and durable enough for centuries”.
Solidteknics, which now has a range of pans, including its best-selling Satin Workhorse Pan, also recently launched its Quenched ™ pre-seasoned iron cookware so you can start cooking right away. They also recently released their first kitchen tool, a scraper, the TurnenScrapenScoopTM (or TSS). 
"Retailers are very interested in sustainability and the fact that customers literally never have to throw away a frying pan and can pass it on for generations is extremely attractive," says CEO Mark Henry.
"There are other high-quality cookware brands out there, but we own the patents for our one-piece seamless design and are the only production cookware made in Australia."
The company has two ranges of cookware – AUS-ION ™ made from clean Australian iron and nöni ™ – a ferritic, non-nickel stainless steel range. AUS-ION ™ cooks and seasons like traditional cookware made of bare cast iron, but it is half as heavy and even more conductive because it cannot crack. Seasoned iron is the only known non-toxic and forever renewable non-stick agent. nöni ™ does not need to be seasoned, is therefore low-maintenance and can be used for all liquids, sour foods, sauces and slow cooking.
Solidtekniks will also launch its kitchen knives in the course of 2021.
Jackfruit is here to stay
Jackfruit is becoming increasingly popular in Australia. Often used in stews as a meat substitute due to its structural similarity to pulled pork, it is mainly grown in the tropics.
In recent years, jackfruit has started to grow commercially in the Northern Territory and tropical north Queensland. The leading brands Vegie Delights and Sanitarium bring jackfruit products to market.
The country's first Australian jackfruit company, The Jack Man, will be one of the exhibitors showcasing to buyers and dealers. 
The company currently serves almost all vegan restaurants in Melbourne and has a presence in Coles and independent supermarkets. In the coming months, two more leading retailers will be added, included in ALDI's special purchases, partnering with Coles to launch its jackfruit wraps, which have had "great success".
So why all the excitement? "In Australia, 12 percent of the people are vegetarian and 32 percent limit their meat consumption," says Mejo George, CEO of The Jackman, who founded the company in 2018 together with partner Thamali.
"Jackfruit is in great demand because it is incredibly healthy, mimics a meaty texture, and has minimal processing."
Mr George says the Smokey BBQ and Mexican jackfruit are strong sellers, but the chefs love their nude jackfruit, which is non-preservative and sustainably sourced from India. "Research shows that 70 percent of jackfruit is wasted," he said.
"Our production helps to minimize waste, reduce the carbon footprint and strengthen local communities."
The company currently has a new and exciting range of retail and food services in the pipeline that is expected to be launched by the end of the year.
“This range will not be comparable to any jackfruit product currently on the market. Due to the increasing demand for jackfruit in menus, we are also expanding our rollout to other parts of Australia in the Food Services area. We see great potential. "
For registration details and more information, visit the 2021 Naturally Good Expo.
