Version History

Contents:

Huel Powder

Since we created Huel, we've been constantly listening to customer feedback to improve the taste, texture, and Huel experience for our customers. This means we have updated Huel and released new products since the first instalment v1.0 was released back on the 17th of June, 2015. On this page, we have listed these changes to Huel, starting with those that came with our first update, Huel v1.1.

Huel v1.1 was first announced by the co-founder Julian Hearn on September the 7th, 2015, and released shortly after this. Huel v1.1 did not include many changes to the original Huel v1.0 formula. The source of some of the ingredients was changed, so the nutritional information and formula was tweaked very slightly to better reflect these changes. Aside from this, nothing else was different.
Click here to view the v1.1 vanilla label

After Huel v1.1 came a new product. Released on the 12th of October, 2015, the unflavoured and unsweetened Huel was made available for purchase. Almost identical to Huel v1.1, the only difference was that unflavoured and unsweetened Huel contained no sweeteners or flavour. This was done so that Huelers could add their own flavours without any hint of vanilla being present. It also means that Huelers can, if they prefer, avoid sweeteners altogether with unflavoured and unsweetened Huel. 
Click here to view the v1.1 unflavoured and unsweetened label

Huel v1.2 was released in November of 2015. This version of Huel only included one change, so was essentially update v.1.1.1. But the change that was made was an important one. The sweetness of vanilla Huel was dropped, down from 12.5% sweetness that was used in v1.1 and v1.0 previously, to 3% sweetness.
This was done after extensive customer feedback suggested that some people would enjoy a less sweet taste than had been available previously. The change also came at a similar time to the release of the Huel flavour pouches, which made their taste more noticeable when added to the vanilla Huel as well.
Click here to view the v1.2 vanilla label
Click here to view the v1.2 unflavoured and unsweetened label

On April 22nd 2016, gluten free Huel was released on a trial basis. This new version was exactly the same as Huel v1.2, with the only difference being that the oats were grown and processed in a gluten free environment, so there was no chance of them being contaminated. Though initially just a trial run, on June 24th 2016, it was announced that gluten free Huel would become a permanent feature for Huelers to use.
Click here to view the v1.2 gluten free vanilla label
Click here to view the v1.2 gluten free unflavoured and unsweetened label

Huel v2.0 was launched on 22nd of July, 2016. Our largest change of Huel to date, the main ingredients in Huel remained unchanged from the previous versions. However, the amount of each of the ingredients was tweaked and improvements incorporated, including:

1. Addition of Lutein and Zeaxanthin - These two phytonutrients are antioxidants that occur naturally in nature, and have both been shown that they may have a role in eye health.
2. Addition of Lycopene - Lycopene is a naturally occurring carotenoid phytonutrient with a range of benefits including slowing the ageing process, reduce cardiovascular disease risk and reduce the risk of some cancers.
3. More vitamins and minerals from natural food sources - We were able to reduce the amounts of some of the added vitamins and minerals in our bespoke vitamin and mineral blend.
4. Replaced Folic Acid with L-methylfolate Calcium (1,000 times more expensive than folic acid) - We’re now using L-methylfolate calcium, the biologically active form of folate instead of synthetic folic acid.
5. Optimised the ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 polyunsaturates - We tweaked the ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturates to an optimum ratio for cardiovascular health.
6. Xylitol is now the principal carrier for our bespoke vitamin and mineral blend - Previously the principal carrier was maltodextrin, but in v2.0, we replaced this with xylitol a natural ingredient.
7. Addition of finely ground sea salt - We added a small amount of finely ground sea salt to help maintain adequate sodium intake.

To view in depth changes to v2.0 and all the references, read our principal changes to v2.0.
Click here to view the v2.0 vanilla label
Click here to view the v2.0 unflavoured and unsweetened label
Click here to view the v2.0 gluten free vanilla label
Click here to view the v2.0 gluten free unflavoured and unsweetened label

Version 2.1 was launched on 1st of November, 2016. 

As before with v2.0, the main ingredients in Huel are unchanged. Instead, the changes were:

1. Removal of Sodium Fluoride - Fluoride is an essential nutrient and is crucial for dental health. However, the inclusion of fluoride in Huel was unpopular so we felt we should listen to our consumers and remove it.
2. Addition of Vitamin K2 - In Huel v1.2 and v2.0, the requirements for vitamin K were met from the vitamin K1. However, additional advantages from consuming vitamin K2 have been demonstrated and thus was added on top of the K1 that was present in v2.0.
3. Switching back to cyanocobalamin as our B12 source - We switched back to cyanocobalamin as our B12 source in v2.1 due to concerns over its bio availability.
4. Removal of sea salt

To view in depth changes to v2.1 and all the references, read our principal changes to v2.1.

Non-version change update - Finer Flaxseed

On 15th of February 2017, Huel announced the inclusion of a finer grade of flaxseed to Huel Powder. This did not change the nutritional profile of Huel at all, but did mean the particle size of the flaxseed in Huel was made smaller in line with customer feedback.
Click here to view the v2.1 vanilla label
Click here to view the v2.1 unflavoured and unsweetened label
Click here to view the v2.1 gluten free vanilla label
Click here to view the v2.1 gluten free unflavoured and unsweetened label

Huel v2.2 was launched on the 28th of April, 2017. Again, the 6 main ingredients (oats, rice, pea, flaxseed, sunflower and coconut) remain unchanged. Instead, the changes focused on the vitamin and mineral blend and gums, and included:

1. Removing carageenan and improving the texture
2. Starting using natural D-alpha tocopherol acetate as our additional vitamin E source
3. Changing to retinol acetate for vitamin A
4. Increasing the level of vitamin B12
5. Increasing the amount of vitamin D
6. Changing to calcium citrate as our source of additional calcium
7. Switching the principal carrier of the vitamin and mineral blend to maltodextrin

Non-version change update - Calcium Carbonate

On the 25th of September, Huel slightly edited v2.2. The only change was the removal of calcium citrate as a source of additional calcium, which was replaced with calcium carbonate to help improve the consistency of Huel.

To view in depth changes to v2.2 and all the references, read our article here.
Click here to view the v2.2 vanilla label
Click here to view the v2.2 unflavoured and unsweetened label
Click here to view the v2.2 gluten free vanilla label
Click here to view the v2.2 gluten free unflavoured and unsweetened label

Huel v2.3 was launched on 27th December 2017. The main ingredients remained unchanged and we launched both our new Vanilla flavour and a number of nutritional improvements:

1. Now includes plant-based vitamin D3
2. Increased folate content
3. More potassium
4. Even greater amount of additional choline
5. Further improved omega-3:6 fatty acid ratio

To view more details information about the changes with v2.3 with references, see our article.

Huel Bars

Huel Bars v1.0

The Huel bars first went on sale in December of 2016, Huel's first foray into producing a nutritionally complete solid food. As with all of Huel's products, we are constantly trying to innovate and listen to customer feedback, and the Huel bars are no different. 

Huel Bars v1.1 

Version 1.1 of the Huel Bars were launched on the 13th of April 2017. After customer feedback suggested the Bars were slightly dry, we adjusted the macronutrient profile to increase the moistness of the bars. 

The other change included switching the oats in the Huel bars to gluten-free oats, meaning Huel was now free of the UK's 14 listed allergens. 
Click here to view the v1.1 Huel Bar label

Huel Bars v1.2

We launched version 1.2 of Huel Bars in November 2017. We slightly increased the levels of some of the micronutrients slightly so each 70g bar was at least 15% of the Nutrient Reference Value (NRV) of all vitamins and minerals. This was so we can sell bars individually in retail outlets.

Huel Bars v2.0

On December 27th, 2017 we launched a brand new version of the Huel Bar with a much softer texture. It was felt that v1 was too dry and crumbly, so we developed a bar with a much improved texture whilst maintain the great nutritional qualities: Huel Bar v2.0 is high fibre (7.5g per bar), is high protein (15.5g per bar), contains all 26 vitamins and minerals, is a source of omega-3 fats, vegan and gluten-free.

Huel Granola

Huel Granola v1.0

We launched Huel Granola in January 2018 as the world’s first nutritionally complete cereal. Available in Original and Berry flavours.

Huel Granola v1.1

The nutritional values of v1.1 were the same as v1.0, but we changed the manufacturing process and tweaked the ratios of some ingredients. The result was an improved texture and more golden-brown Granola.

Flavour Pouches

27th October 2015 - Four flavour pouches, strawberry, toffee, rhubarb and custard, and mocha were made available for Huelers to add to either vanilla or unflavoured and unsweetened Huel. These flavour pouches, whilst still being vegan, also contained no Sucralose, instead using the natural plant based sweetener Stevia.

17th February 2016 - Three more flavour pouches were added, including Chocolate, Banana, and Pineapple and Coconut.

8th December 2016 - Two more flavour pouches were made available, Cacao and Matcha Tea.