From bouillon to tunah: How Marigold Health Foods became a plant-based British favourite

Few brands have managed to remain relevant for nearly five decades while staying true to their original values. Yet Marigold Health Foods has done exactly that. What began as a small operation in a garage in Hampstead has grown into one of Britain's most recognisable plant-based food companies, supplying everything from bouillon and nutritional yeast to vegan fish alternatives and traditional fermented foods.

The story began in 1978 with a simple but ambitious idea: creating delicious, natural food without relying on artificial ingredients or meat-based products.

The company's best-known product, Swiss Vegetable Bouillon, was developed by passionate plant-based food advocate, food writer and novelist Isaak Mansk, also known as Lucien Berg. His goal was to create an instant, flavour-packed alternative to traditional meat stock.

Working with a Swiss manufacturer, he developed an aromatic golden powder known as bouillon. At the time, the term was unfamiliar to many British consumers, but that did not stop the product from gaining a loyal following.

By 1981, Marigold's founder was packing bouillon powder by hand on a kitchen table and delivering it to independent health food shops across southern England. What started as a small-scale operation quickly developed into something much bigger.

The 1990s marked an important period of expansion. In 1994, Marigold introduced Braised Tofu, bringing a traditionally prepared East Asian food to British consumers. Two years later, the company launched Engevita® Nutritional Yeast Flakes, a product that would eventually become a staple in countless vegan kitchens.

Perhaps the company's biggest breakthrough came in 2003 when celebrated British cook Delia Smith described Marigold Bouillon Powder as an essential cupboard ingredient in her cookbook The Winter Collection. The endorsement transformed the brand almost overnight, opening the door to major supermarkets across the UK.

Plant-based meat & fish

Although the iconic green tub of bouillon remains the company's most recognisable product, two other foods have become particularly popular with customers: Tunah and Tempeh Slices.

Made from soya bean protein, Marigold Tunah provides a satisfying vegan alternative to traditional tuna. Rich in protein and ready to eat straight from the tin, it has become a versatile option for sandwiches, salads and pasta dishes. The product allows consumers to enjoy the familiar taste of tuna while helping to protect marine life.

Meanwhile, Marigold Tempeh Slices pay tribute to the Indonesian island of Java, where the fermented soya bean product originated. Naturally fermented and easier to digest, the mild flavour makes it ideal for curries, soups, stews and rice dishes. Its versatility and nutritional value have helped make it one of the brand's most popular products.

Despite its commercial success, the company has faced significant challenges. In 2019, a devastating fire destroyed Marigold's warehouse and offices in north London. However, the business survived and refocused its efforts on strengthening the Marigold brand.

The years that followed brought even greater change. During the Covid-19 pandemic, demand for home cooking ingredients increased dramatically, while nutritional yeast experienced unprecedented growth as more people embraced plant-based eating.

By 2022, Marigold had become a completely vegan company after removing lactose from its bouillon recipes. In 2023, it eliminated palm oil from all products, and in 2024, it introduced recyclable card-based tubs, reducing annual packaging waste by more than 30 tonnes.

Beyond food, Marigold remains committed to supporting charitable organisations, donating more than 5% of its profits to causes tackling poverty, homelessness and food insecurity. The company also works to reduce food waste by donating short-dated products to community organisations, including The Felix Project and Wellbeing Link.

Consumers can purchase Marigold products in major supermarkets across the UK, including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Morrisons, Asda, Booths, Marks & Spencer and Ocado. The brand's products are also widely available online through Amazon and specialist plant-based retailers, making them easily accessible to consumers throughout the country.

After more than 45 years, Marigold's mission remains remarkably similar to the one that inspired its very first product: creating delicious, nutritious and sustainable food using natural, plant-based ingredients. In an increasingly competitive market, the company continues to prove that simple ideas, when combined with quality, innovation and purpose, can stand the test of time.