Focus on health
PepsiCo is broadening its scope in healthy snacks with the acquisition of snack bar company Health Warrior – which makes snacks from chia, pumpkin seeds and other superfoods – and the launch of a line of children’s snacks under the Imagine brand, which it said, provides ‘positive nutrition.’
The new Imagine products include Yogurt Crisps and Cheese Stars, which provide a good source of nutrients, are Non-GMO Project verified and contain no artificial colors or flavors.
Cheese Stars is available in Parmesan and White Cheddar variants, while Yogurt Crisps come in Mixed Berry and Apple Cinnamon.
Available in resealable 4.5oz bags, they contain 4g of protein and 8g of whole grains per serving.
Cool n’ spicy
Kettle Brand has introduced new variety to its snack portfolio that is spicy yet cool.
The new flavor – Wasabi Ranch Krinkle Cut Potato Chips – combines the creaminess of ranch dressing with the piquant heat of wasabi for an ‘unexpected flavor fusion.’
The potato chips are available in retail stores throughout the US for a RRP of $3.79 per 8.5oz bag.
Vegan brioche-style bun
Kara, the foodservice specialists of the Finsbury Food Group, has launched a brioche-style bun tailored for vegan and dairy-free consumers.
According to the company, the taste for brioche has dramatically grown over the past year. So, too, has veganism, so the bakery giant wanted to give operators a bread option that is suitable for a wider remit of diners.
Kara’s brioche-style bun substitutes the egg glaze and butter contents with dairy-free alternatives. However, the new ingredients do not compromise the flavor, color or texture of the buns, which are suitable for vegan, dairy-free and non-vegan diners.
It’s party time
2 Sisters-owned Fox’s Biscuits has extended its Party brand with the launch of Party Milkshakes on-the-go biscuits, aimed to add more choice for consumers.
Available in two flavors – Banana and Strawberry – the biscuits are made with part wholemeal flour for a ‘slightly softer eating experience’, as well as offering a healthy snack at only 78 calories per 18g pack.
Aimed specifically at children, the new brightly colored packaging is fun and ‘pops’, while maintaining the traditional Party brand feel. A specially designed tray is included in each pack, which allows for coloring in.
Fox’s Party Milkshakes are available in UK Tesco stores for a RRP of £1.50 ($1.94) per pack of five.
Be bold
Foster Farms has introduced Bold Bites, an on-the-go chicken snack, to its portfolio of all-natural chicken products.
Bold Bites are fully cooked, ready-to-eat chicken breast pieces, packaged in single serve pouches. Each serving delivers 15g of protein, making the snack a quick, stand-alone boost of energy or a great addition to salads and wraps.
Available in five variants – Cajun, Chile Verde, Korean BBQ, Caribbean Jerk, and Parmesan Garlic – Bold Bites are free of hormones, artificial colors and flavors, and nitrates.
Bold Bites are available in the refrigerated snacks section at select US retailers, including Target, Safeway, Albertson’s, Walmart and Savemart, for a RRP of $1.99.
Bake a better world
Rubicon Bakers has added Peppermint Fudge Layer Cake to its seasonal holiday product line that include Pumpkin Praline Cake, Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes and Peppermint Fudge Cupcakes.
More than just a bakery, Rubicon Bakers embraces compassion to build a strong and empowered community by supporting people with significant barriers to employment.
The California bakery also sources all natural, clean ingredients from suppliers that use conscious practices.
The new 6-inch Peppermint Fudge Layer Cake is made with a classic chocolate cake filled with candy cane filling and frosting and drizzled with a chocolate glaze.
The cake is available this holiday season in over 1,600 Kroger locations nationwide, as well as independent retailers, for a RRP of $12.99.
Rubicon’s other products can be found at select Whole Foods Market locations, Northern California Safeway stores and independent retailers at a RRP of $12.99 for the Pumpkin Praline Cake and $4.99 for the cupcakes.
Clean ‘n healthy
Tillamook Country Smoker debuted its newest product at the NACS show in Las Vegas, US, last month.
Gourmet Style Snack Sticks is a dry-styled beef and pork clean-label snack, packaged in grab-and-go 12oz packs.
According to the company, sticks in a bag continue to be a growing segment within the meat snack category, and with consumers moving towards clean labels and simple ingredients, Tillamook Country Smoker wanted to introduce a traditional snack in a healthier and better-for-you way.
The Gourmet Style Snack Sticks will begin rolling out in US retail in early in Q1 2019.
And now for something completely different...
The CrunchCup - the brainchild of Kevin Meyer and Rob Lambert - is a simple concept that allows consumers to eat cereal just about anywhere, even on the run.
Made of a high-grade plastic called Tritaan that does not contain BPA, BPS or any other bisphenol, the design contains two separate chambers that can hold up to 10 ounces of cereal and six ounces of milk. The lid has two openings: a smaller one for the milk, and a larger one for the cereal.
The US startup has already met its funding goal on Kickstarter, but interested investors can still pledge $25 to receive the CrunchCup, which the creators say will be about 10% off the expected retail price. They have also stated they will donate 5% of the proceeds to a nationally recognized organization that helps get food to children in need.
The CrunchCup is expected to be released around April 2019.
