Going bananas
UK startup Katie’s Food Co. is targeting Brits who are looking for a healthier alternative with a range of banana crisps.
The new offerings are 100% natural, vegan, dairy- and gluten-free and come in four flavours – Thai Sweet Chilli, Mixed Herb, Salt & Vinegar and Himalayan Salt – with each pack making up one-of-your-five-a-day, according to the snack producer.
“I love bananas, and these crisps take the humble banana and turn it into something quite extraordinary. If you've never tasted a banana crisp before then you're really missing out,” said Katie Grennall, founder of Katie's Food Co.
Grennall believes the crisps address a gap in the market, appealing to the impulse snack buyer who craves something that offers both flavour and function.
“I've seen where the snack market is heading. People are no longer looking for a quick fix to fill their hunger pangs, they are considering what they are putting in their body and want to make sure that every calorie has nutritional clout,” she added.
“Our banana crisps tick all the boxes; they are really tasty, completely natural, gluten-free, vegan and dairy-free and they offer a slow energy release that will keep you fuller and more satisfied for longer, whilst providing one of your five a day.”
Katie’s Food Co’s Banana Crisps have an RRP of £1.49 for a 32g bag, available online.
Bloomin’ healthy
With a timely focus on health, Roberts has created a range of loaves to help build up and boost the body’s natural defences.
The UK bakery has launched four products with added health and wellbeing benefits exclusively in Tesco stores around the country. All four are also vegan-friendly, high in fibre and low in fat, and are wrapped in sustainably sourced paper packaging that’s easily recyclable at home.
Roberts’ Energy Balance Good for You Bloomer contains oatmeal and a mixture of quinoa, watermelon and chia seeds. It’s packed with magnesium to support a healthy metabolism.
The True Vitality Good for You Bloomer is packed with superfoods, including whole hemp seeds, brown rice flour, malted wheat flakes and zinc for a healthy immune system.
Roberts’ Vit Hit 50% Wholemeal, 50% White loaf has the addition of seven vitamins and minerals, including Thiamine B1, Vitamin D, Vitamin B6, calcium, iron, niacin and folic acid. It is also available in all major supermarkets and convenience stores across the UK.
Finally, Roberts’ Ultimate Fibre Wholemeal contains 8.7g fibre per 100g, the brand’s highest fibre wholemeal loaf to date.
“We know that shoppers are increasingly interested in the nutritional and functional health benefits in bread and it’s never been more important as we think again about the importance of diet in protecting ourselves and our families, and strengthening our natural defences against infection and disease,” said Alison Ordonez, innovation director at Roberts.
“Made using seeds, minerals, fibres, proteins and wholegrains, our new range makes use of so many ingredients that support better health and wellbeing. By making simple delicious swaps, everyone can eat easily add more variety and more of the right things to their daily diets."
Taking the offering a step further, Roberts’ Heathy Hits Bundle – which includes three of the new loaves as well as four wholemeal rolls and six Brown Sandwich Lites – is available directly from Roberts’ new e-shop and delivered to the door overnight via DPD.
Both Roberts’ Bloomers have an RRP of £1.55 each, while Vit Hit 50% Wholemeal, 50% White and Ultimate Fibre have an RRP of £1.15.
New food trend?
Nestlé has introduced Digiorno Croissant Crust Pizza, which combines multiple layers of light, flaky, buttery crust with all the traditional trimmings of pizza.
The Croissant Crust Pizza is the only croissant-style pizza available nationally in the frozen aisle, according to the producer, and comes in three flavours – Pepperoni, Four Cheese and Three Meat – all topped with 100% real cheese.
“Food mashups continue to drive culinary creativity and inspire a fun connection for people,” said Megan Smargiasso, brand manager at Nestlé.
“We’re excited about adding Digiorno Croissant Crust Pizza to the list of unexpected food trends, especially as people spend more time eating at home right now and want true comfort food.”
Digiorno Croissant Crust Pizza is now available across the US at Target, Food Lion, Hannaford, Hy-Vee and Publix, with expansion to other retailers in the coming months for a RRP of $6.49-$7.40.
Vibe with VIBs
Pladis is ramping up its popular McVitie’s Digestives range with a trio of Very Important Biscuits (VIBs).
Available in three flavours – Classic Caramel Bliss, Heavenly Chocolate Hazelnut and Luscious Blood Orange – the digestive biscuits are topped with a layer of chewy caramel and enrobed in milk chocolate.
The biscuits are positioned as a step-up from the core McVitie’s range and, according to Emma Stowers, McVitie’s brand director, the “finest biscuit to date” produced by Pladis. In fact, the company is aiming high with the VIBs, with consumer trials revealing 35% of shoppers saying they would ‘definitely buy’ them.
VIBs will roll out at Asda from 12 July 12, with a wider rollout at the end of August, for a RRP of £1.79 per 250g pack.
A crunch a day
Diane’s Kitchen – a recently formed consumer packaged goods company – has unveiled its flagship product line: Daily Crunch Snacks.
According to the company, the line of sprouted nuts are created using a multi-step soaking and dehydration process that increases the nutritional value, eases digestion and adds to the nuts’ crunchiness.
It added, “Sprouting is a process of soaking the nuts in purified water, activating germination (sprouting), which results in them being more easily digestible due to a decrease in phytic acid, while keeping the nuts’ nutritional value.
“Daily Crunch then slowly dehydrates the nuts, resulting in a more nutritious, crisp nut snack.”
Available in three variants – Sprouted Almonds, Coffee-Soaked Sprouted Almonds, and Cherry Berry Nut Medley – the snacks are Non-GMO Project verified, gluten-free, keto, paleo and vegan.
They are packed with protein (5g-9g), fibre (2g-4g per 42g pack) and low in calories (210-250 calories per package).
“Our mission with Daily Crunch is to provide the consumer with smarter snacking decisions through our lineup of uniquely crunchy sprouted snacks,” said Laurel Orley, co-founder of Diane’s Kitchen.
“As a working mother, I am aware of the pressure women face in offering nutritious snacks to themselves and their families. At Daily Crunch, we are committed to providing fresh, tasty, high quality snacks for everyone to enjoy.”
Cereal-iously?
Kellogg’s has released a limited edition green onion-flavoured Chex cereal in South Korea.
Apparently the exotic flavoured cereal has been 16 years in the making. Back in 2004, Kellogg’s Korea held a content asking the public to vote for the new ‘President of Chex’. They had two choices, Cheki, a milk chocolate candidate, and Chaka, a green onion cereal version.
Although Chaka led by an overwhelming margin, confusion reigned and Cheki was declared the winner.
Now the company has caved in to public pressure and releasing the green-onion flavoured variant.
“We never expected consumers would be interested. But every time we had promotional events, online communities asked for it,” said a Kellogg’s Korea spokeswoman.
According to a review by the Korea Herald, the cereal doesn’t have the bitterness or the spiciness of green onion and tastes like a sweet green cereal aimed at kids.
Clean snacking
Simply 7 Snacks has added two new snacks to its lineup that it believes are ‘just perfect for summer snacking’.
Sea Salt Veggie Straws are made from cauliflower, broccoli, carrots and potatoes, seasoned with a touch of sea salt. The snacks vary from the typical veggie straw varieties available on the market made from spinach, tomatoes and potatoes, and contain 1/3 cup of vegetables per 1oz serving.
Fiery Pepper Lentil Chips are packed with lentils loaded with a warm, smooth heat that builds from a blend of cayenne and chili peppers.
Both snacks are Non-GMO Project Verified, gluten-free, kosher and vegetarian.
The Sea Salt Veggie Straws are available in a 6oz bag, while the Fiery Pepper Lentil Chips are packed in 4oz bags, both with an RRP of $3.99, available on Amazon and in natural and mainstream grocery stores across the US.
In addition to the NPDs, Simply 7 Snacks has unveiled a brand refresh and new packaging to highlight its simplified ingredients for shorter, cleaner statements and sodium reduction by an average of 30% across the portfolio.
“We are excited to transform our brand and bring our fans what they've been asking for – stronger flavours, lower sodium and a packaging design that is contemporary, fun, and healthy,” said Rashim Oberoi, president of Simply 7 Snacks.
Jammie Dodgers go vegan
Burtons Biscuits has - again – released a vegan variant of its popular Jammie Dodgers.
Several years ago, the biscuit was ‘accidentally’ vegan, but then dairy was added during a recipe change.
“We have listened to our biscuit fans and are pleased to announce that we’ve moved once again to a dairy-free recipe,” said Kate Needham, marketing director of Burtons Biscuits.
“Family fun is at the Jammie heart of our brand, so it’s important to us that the whole family – and families of all lifestyles – can share a pack. Thanks to the new recipe, we’re happy that will now be more possible.”
The vegan variant is 100% of animal products, sandwiched together with raspberry jam and packed in a darker packet to stand out on shelves. The new recipe will be used across the standard biscuits and mini Jammie Dodgers, and will be available across the UK from July 13.
“But that’s not all, with our household classic seeing a surge in popularity, you can expect to see lots more fun and mischief coming from the UK’s favourite Jammie biscuit brand going forwards. It’s an exciting time to be a Jammie Dodger fan,” added Needham.
Summertime treat
Hostess is debuting a favourite summertime treat – S’mores – in cupcake style.
Available exclusively at Walmart, S’mores CupCakes are made with a graham cracker-flavoured yellow cake, toasted marshmallow-flavoured filling and topped in chocolate icing. Like the original Hostess CupCake, they also include the signature icing squiggle.
The new CupCakes are expected to hit Walmart shelves nationwide beginning July 9, but only for a limited time. An eight-count box of individually wrapped cakes has an RRP of $2.68.