Snyder’s-Lance adds organic pretzel crisps to upscale better-for-you snack category

17-Feb-2017 - Last updated on 20-Feb-2017 at 09:29 GMT

At 110 calories per serving, Snyder's-Lance organic original Pretzel Crisps contain zero transfat and no saturated fat, cholesterol, preservatives, artificial flavorings or colors. Pic: Snack Factory

Snyder’s-Lance has introduced organic Pretzel Crisps under its Snack Factory brand to further sales in the better-for-you category.

The new product announcement came shortly before Snyder’s-Lance released its Q4 and full-year 2016 results. The company’s total quarter and annual net revenues increased 61% and 40% respectively.

“Our focus on better-for-you snacking continued to be a driver of growth and now represents 33% of sales as we close out 2016,” said Snyder’s-Lance’s president and CEO Carl Lee.

“During 2017, we will continue to change the way the world snacks with better ingredients, quality and taste, as we introduce new products and enter new categories, in order to reach more consumers and broaden our customer penetration.”

A recent Mintel report showed the sales of better-for-you snacks have been increasing for the past three years, and 55% of consumers surveyed chose pretzels as their favorite salty snacks.

Healthy profiles

Vice president of marketing and innovation at Snyder’s-Lance’s Clearview Foods division, Eric Van de Wal, told BakeryandSnacks the Snack Factory is an important brand for the company and will continue to be a vital contributor to growing the healthy snacks portfolio.

At 110 calories per serving, organic original Pretzel Crisps contain zero transfat and no saturated fat, cholesterol, preservatives, artificial flavorings or colors.

“The new variety can be found in the deli section along with other varieties of Pretzel Crisps at grocery stores nationwide starting this month,” Van de Wal said.

“This is a limited edition item, so we are shipping the product to stores in Q1 and Q3.”

“Organic original Pretzel Crisps are non-GMO and contain only clean label ingredients, which we have found to be important to consumers,” he added. “Over the past few years, consumers have gravitated toward more natural and clean foods with no artificial ingredients.”

Extending flavor and product options

Van de Wal is concerned that the salty snacks industry as a whole is often challenged by finding cost-effective ingredients.

“As a large company, we can address this by sourcing expensive ingredients like organic flour in bulk, helping us to attain more consumer-friendly pricing,” he explained.

This year, Snyder’s-Lance plans to extend flavor profiles and update its existing Snack Factory products to contain clean ingredients.

“Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps are the first and original flat-baked pretzel cracker and continue to hold a strong market share in the pretzel category,” he said.

Van de Wal added Snyder’s-Lance will also gain incremental retail space outside the deli section by creating new products.

“We have started doing this by introducing Fruit Sticks in the produce section and will soon be reaching the bakery section with a new Dessert Thins snack line.”