Saffron Road is raising the bar in the retail frozen food aisle with its most ambitious product renovation to date, rolling out this August. The revamp feature 50% to 100% more chicken or lamb in all respective entrées, eliminates seed oils like canola and soybean from core recipes, and introduces a bold new look – delivering on the brand’s promise of better-for-you convenience. In line with its sustainability mission, Additionally, the Stamford, Connecticut-based company will begin transitioning to plant-based and sustainably sourced compostable fiber trays later this year.
“Modern consumers, especially the premium better-for-you cohorts, are demanding more protein, more transparency and more purpose. We answered that call by fortifying our ingredients, boosting protein density and super charging our recipes with even more nourishment. We are driving the premiumization of the entrée category by using more premium oils — like olive oil and avocado oil — that elevate both flavor and quality. We did all of this while continuing to stay true to our north star – culinary excellence,” said Adnan Durrani, founder and chief executive officer of Saffron Road.
The brand upgrade is backed by consumer trends. According to the 2024 IFIC Food & Health Survey, 71% of Americans are actively seeking more protein. This is a number that continues to rise – particularly among consumers prioritizing wellness, managing weight or using GLP-1 medications. Meanwhile, leading-edge brands in the restaurant space – from Sweetgreen to Springbone Kitchen, and most recently True Food Kitchen – have moved away from seed oils.
New packaging rounds out this transformation, marrying global expression with modern minimalism. As part of the redesign, Saffron Road is also introducing a new artist collaboration series that celebrates the cultures that inspire its meals. The brand has partnered with illustrators from India, China, Mexico and Korea to create original artwork of culturally significant culinary mascots – a tiger, dragon, hummingbird and magpie – each chosen for their symbolic meaning in their respective countries.
These illustrations will appear on select packs, accompanied by a QR code launching later this year, that leads to an artist spotlight experience – sharing the story, inspiration and cultural relevance behind each piece. This initiative reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to honoring global heritage through authentic storytelling, while offering consumers a deeper, more meaningful connection to the food they enjoy.
